Several local and national leaders have pointed to May and June as the months where the coronavirus pandemic could begin to shift from its current state and process could begin to open up economies once again.

However, the next couple of months also mark the deadlines for several grants that Chilton County organizations and schools can apply for, some of which are designed to help with specific COVID-19 needs.

The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation First Responders Grants are in affect to provide lifesaving equipment to law enforcement agencies, EMS, public safety organizations, nonprofits and schools. The final day to apply for these grants in May 13.

Chilton County has been the recipient of grants from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation in the past.

The U.S. Department of Education’s SEED program will provide up to $6 million to each grantee to increase the number of highly-effective teachers by supporting “evidence-based” practices with the goal of preparing, developing and enhancing the skills of teachers.

Applications for grants from the SEED program end June 12.

Funding issued through the Children’s Healthy Learning Environments Grant Initiative goes directly to support school or childcare center building projects.

The goal of these projects would be to help school communities understand and address local environmental and public health issues that target children.

If awarded, the grants would be up to $315,000. The deadline to apply is June 1.

Grants can go a long way in helping an organization fund certain projects and objectives and the next couple of months will be an important part in initiating that possibility.