Northampton County Council met Feb. 17 to discuss small-business grants to be funded by the American Rescue Plan.

Northampton County received a total of $30 million of American Rescue Plan funding to spend on various COVID-19 relief efforts. Council unanimously approved a motion allocating $1,506,797 of that for 113 small businesses across the county.

Many small-business owners were present at the meeting to thank county council for their continued support.

Baljeet and Jasmeet Barsal, co-owners of Aman’s Artisan Indian Cuisine, explained inflation has put their business in a tricky situation.

Helena Lazzarini, the owner of a doughnut shop in Nazareth, also thanked council for the grant money she had received. Small business owners Lisa Alexander, Erin Grins and John Pavis all echoed similar sentiments to council.

In other business, council approved a motion to accept a donation of $6,700 on behalf of the Department of Corrections toward the purchase and training of a K-9 narcotics dog.

Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure reported the county preserved more than $12 million worth of farmland in the past four years. The county also passed 18,000 preserved acres and 228 preserved farms thresholds.

Finally, council passed Resolution 29-2022: a request for a study of the I-80 resolution regarding a study of the safety, mobility and congestion issues on I-80 from Exit 4-Portland/Columbia Bridge and the Delaware Water Gap Bridge. A regional traffic study can be initiated, and the I-80 Rockfall project may be delayed pending the outcome of the studies.

Council’s next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. April 7 in the county building, 669 Washington St., Easton. It will also be streamed on council’s YouTube page.