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Raffle Set to Expand Funds for Clinton Small Business Grant

A raffle kicking off on Saturday, Jan. 16 will help support a new program being offered to small businesses in town by the Clinton Chamber of Commerce.

Through the new program, the Clinton Chamber will provide one-time grants of $500 each to businesses in Clinton in need of help. Businesses do not need to be a member of the chamber to apply.

Chamber Executive Director Paul Orsini said that the chamber began brainstorming about the program around October 2020 and in November the chamber held successful drive-in movie night to kickstart the funding for the organization. When the grant was originally announced, the monetary award was only $200, but due to a generous, anonymous donation that almost doubled the fund, the grant has been raised to $500 per businesses.

To further fund the grant, the chamber is offering $10 raffle tickets with proceeds going directly to the fund. Prizes include gift cards to Clinton restaurants and businesses, a foursome at Clinton Country Club, a bundle of new books from the Henry Carter Hull Library, and a Visa gift card.

Prizes will be drawn every day starting Jan. 16 and running until Monday, Feb. 15. Winning tickets will be placed back in the hopper, meaning that entrants will have multiple chances to win prizes.

According to Orsini, when the idea for the raffle was announced, it took only three days to secure the prizes from local businesses.

“People around town have really rallied around this,” Orsini said.

Given the economic climate, Orsini said struggling businesses are appreciative of all help they can get.

“It could be the difference of putting oil in a tank or paying a utility bill. This is a way to help businesses in a positive way,” Orsini said.

Raffle tickets are available by calling the chamber at 860-669-3889.

To apply for the small business grant, interested parties can visit the chamber’s website at clintonct.com and fill out the grant application there. Once filled out, the application must be emailed to chamber@clintonctchamber.com with “Application Form” in subject line.