Williamson County's small-business grant program, Wilco Forward, received nearly 2,000 applicants in its first day, the county tweeted May 7.

The program opened at 5:30 p.m. May 6 in an effort to help area small-businesses owners who have been financially affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

By 4:44 p.m., exactly 1,887 applications were received and 18 checks were already in the mail, the tweet said.

We are thrilled to report that so far, the Wilco Forward grant program has received 1,887 applications. Already, 18 checks are in the mail and on their way to assist Wilco businesses! To apply: https://t.co/TYi6AY87Zx pic.twitter.com/MLV6aYXIUc

— Williamson County (@wilcogov) May 7, 2020

On May 5, the Williamson County Commissioners Court finalized the program, which would provide assistance to business owners who have fewer than 100 employees and are the sole proprietors with up to $30,000.

In late April, the county received $93 million in federal coronavirus aid. Of that, the court set aside $25 million for the program.

Other criteria includes that the business must have opened by Feb. 15; it must use the funding between March 27 and Sept. 30; and it is expected to maintain consistent total full-time employees during the program.

Businesses have until June 30 to apply, but money is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until funding runs out.

For more information, visit www.wilco.org/forward.