News Release

WABASH – Grow Wabash County has received $5,000 in grant funding from Duke Energy’s Economic Development Relief Grant program. 

The $5,000 grant will be administered by Grow Wabash County to two Wabash County businesses that have gone above and beyond during this pandemic to serve their community despite financial challenges. 

The grant will allow for both of these businesses to pay for expenses incurred due to COVID-19 and its resulting restrictions such as operating costs (payroll, debt relief, etc.), assistance in navigating state and federal programs and/or technology needs to remain connected with their clients, customers and community at large. 

In Wabash, the grant will be awarded to Cannonball Lanes in recognition of owner Cindy Solloway’s efforts to make and donate face masks. Despite having sewn very little before the pandemic, Solloway felt as though making masks would be a great way to serve her community during this challenging time. So, she brought out the sewing machine and taught herself how to make the masks. 

Solloway’s project grew quickly and soon, she became one of the leaders of the “Wabash Strong” Facebook group that has made and donated dozens of masks to essential employees in Wabash County. 

Webb’s Family Pharmacy in North Manchester will also receive a grant for its innovative actions to fill community needs throughout the pandemic. Not only has the compounding pharmacy provided access to necessary medications and prescriptions to its customers, but it has also become a source for critically needed personal protective equipment (PPE). Owner 

Harry Webb and store manager, Yi Yang, were able to successfully coordinate with Chinese PPE producers to increase local access to PPE. 

The compounding pharmacy has also been making its own hand sanitizer to sell during the pandemic when quality antibacterial products like this have become hard to find. 

Webb advised Grow Wabash County that he intends to use the grant funds from Duke Energy to purchase more materials to make hand sanitizer as well as purchase more PPE so that he can donate both to essential businesses and employees that need it.