After reviewing records showing how severely the pandemic has affected dozens of Baker County businesses, Bruce Nichols understands that nearly $700,000 in federal aid is no panacea.
âItâs a Band-Aid,â said Nichols, a Baker County commissioner who served as chairman of a committee that recently approved a total of $698,547 in grants to 67 businesses and nonprofit organizations. Many recipients are restaurants or other businesses in the hospitality industry, which have had severe restrictions imposed by the state during the pandemic.
The bandage reference isnât the only metaphor Nichols employs thatâs reminiscent of discussions in a triage unit.
âI hope this is a tourniquet for some of these businesses,â Nichols said on Tuesday, Dec. 29. âItâs really sad, the amount of losses that were involved in some of these businesses.â