FAIRMONT — Martin County commissioners on Tuesday awarded $608,775 in grants from county CARES Act funds to assist 10 schools in the county adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

County Auditor/Treasurer Jessica Korte noted that many of the requests encompass funds for personal protective equipment, iPads, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer and other items.

“A lot of the schools, looking at their expenses, a lot of the stuff that they have requested already has already come in and is set,” she said. “So they’re not waiting for that money to be spent.”

In a similar action, the board approved a motion to award $337,623 in small business grants. The board has allocated $750,000 of county CARES Act funds to assist small businesses in the county. The board also approved a second round of CARES small business grants, which are anticipated to be considered by the board on Nov. 17.

In other news, the board heard from County Engineer Kevin Peyman, who gave a brief update on some recent projects.

“We did some work on that little triangle piece parking lot across from the courthouse,” he said. “The wall is down, the concrete is out, and the good news is there was nothing unexpected buried in there such as tanks or fluids or anything like that.”

He also said there are concerns that curb-and-gutter work behind the courthouse will have to wait until spring, because of the fast-changing weather.

In another matter, Peyman noted that county parks have been winterized. People can still camp, if they wish, with the understanding that there will be no hookups or bathroom facilities available.