Flower Mound small businesses scoop up funding from Denton County grant program

Cities and towns in southeast Denton County received a significant portion of local CARES Act funding for small businesses.

Flower Mound, a town with 9% of the county’s population, received more than 200 small business grants—roughly 15% of the total number awarded through the Denton County OPEN program, according to county numbers released Aug. 18.

The larger city of Lewisville received nearly 180 grants, while more than 30 businesses with a Highland Village address received assistance.

“It’s so important that we keep Denton County businesses running to keep jobs and keep people working,” said Denton County Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell, who represents parts of each of the three cities, in an Aug. 18 news release. “That’s what it is all about.”

The county awarded more than $35 million to 1,385 businesses through the program. This was funded through money from the federal stimulus law that went into effect earlier this year.

The grants targeted the smallest county businesses. Well over half of the businesses receiving funds each employed fewer than 10 people, the county said.

The money is expected to support roughly 10,000 jobs at businesses hit hard by the pandemic.

“Supporting them with these grants is a way to keep these businesses functioning and open for the future,” Commissioner Dianne Edmondson said in the statement. “I am hopeful these grants will lead to the continued employment or rehiring of individuals across Denton County.”