County officials acted quickly to snap up two state grants totaling more than $14 million that will help renters, restaurants and hotels affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Leslie Osche, county commissioners chairwoman, said the county received $12 million from the state Legislature for rental and utility assistance.

Those who need help paying their utility bills and renters struggling to pay their landlords can apply for the funds in the near future, Osche said.

Mark Gordon, the county chief of economic development and planning, said the county also received a $2.2 million grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development for assistance in the hospitality industry.

He said owners of businesses in the hospitality industry, like restaurants and hotels, will be able to apply for up to $50,000 for reimbursement for expenses incurred because of the pandemic as well as for pandemic-related loss of revenue.

She said the funds would help county residents who work in restaurants, hotels, small businesses and other fields that were hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

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