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The COVID-19 pandemic has been all around tough.

Everyone is making sacrifices to help curb the spread of the virus in an effort to save lives.

That is an important mission but it also is taking a toll on the economy and, more specifically, businesses.

Small businesses, large businesses and employees are all taking a hit from the efforts of social distancing and by observing stay-at-home orders.

Fortunately, Congress and the United States President have passed the CARES Act to provide economic relief to businesses and individuals whose livelihoods have been hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The money is available to people who have been affected by loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic some with debt forgiveness, which are essentially grants, and some that have low interest rates.

Local economic leaders are encouraging businesses and employees who have been affected to go ahead and apply for the stimulus money offered through the CARES Act sooner rather than later.

Links to the forms and more information on the loans and stimulus options can be found at natchezinc.com.

We encourage people who are hurting from the economic downturn to visit those links and study up on the loans they might qualify for and to apply.

That money is there for you if you need it and it will help keep us all afloat as we weather the COVID-19 storm.

Above all, stay well!