Barnwood Blessings Receives Small Business Grant Via Olde Town Covington   Covington, VA (Feb. 2, 2026) - Editor's Note: The following is a news release from Olde Town Covington: "One huge advantage of being associated with Main Street America and Virginia Main Street is the access to grant funding. Last summer, a grant opportunity arose that several businesses in the Olde Town Covington district applied for. The Backing Small Businesses grant program, supported by American Express, provides support to locally significant small businesses with community reach. The program provides grants of $10,000 to fund projects that promote sustainable growth, enhance long-term resilience, and increase local impact. This was a competitive grant nationwide with only five hundred grants awarded. Eligible grant expenses include but are not limited to Accessibility Upgrades, Community Events and Programs, Equipment and Inventory, Marketing, Operational Strategy, Physical Improvements, Sustainability Upgrades and Technology Upgrades. Olde Town Covington, Inc. is thrilled to announce that Lori Conner, owner of Barnwood Blessings is one of the recipients of this grant funding! This funding will be used for merchandise displays and inventory. “We were so very surprised and completely humbled that we were among the 500 national small businesses who were awarded the Backing Small Business Grant by American Express and Main Street America. First and foremost, I will never gloat, but pray it inspires others to give it a try. If you don’t apply, you definitely will not be chosen. I dove into the application with determination, hope and faith in my heart, but there’s always the human component that “We’ll never be chosen….Covington is just too small.” I then took the time to research winners from the previous year and noted that two small businesses I know of in very small, rural communities were awarded and I knew it may just be a possibility. I poured my heart out, told our story, and honestly feel that complete transparency was key.”- Lori Conner As additional funding opportunities are announced Olde Town Covington, Inc. will notify downtown businesses and will collaborate with them on these grants. We encourage all downtown businesses to pursue these when they become available. Barnwood Blessings is an excellent example that Covington, Virginia businesses can benefit from these opportunities. Congratulations, Lori!"

* * * * *