The Williamson County Wilco Forward grant program has helped more than 1,600 local small businesses as they deal with the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, according to May 29 news release.

A total of more than $18.5 million in grant money has been issued since the program was launched May 6, the release said.

The Williamson County Auditor’s Office is reviewing each application carefully, making the processing of the documents time consuming; however, every business owner will hear back from the county regarding his or her application, it said.

The county dedicated $25 milllion of the $93 million it received in federal coronavirus aid to the program. The grant money will be issued as applications are processed until the $25 million in budgeted funds are exhausted, the release said.

Applications can be found at www.wilco.org/forward.