Charleston’s Small Business Grant Program Follows the Rules

For nearly a year, the city of Charleston has offered a program to help lessen the financial stress for small businesses through its business investment grant program. So far, the program has awarded money to more than 70 businesses, but WCHS TV reported the latest round of winners raised some eyebrows. City officials said two council members applied for the funding and one ended up receiving it. According to an advisory opinion from the state, no rules were broken when Steele Properties, owned by city council member Keeley Steele, was named a recipient of one of the grants. Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin said the city sent it for review by the West Virginia Ethics Commission and they approved.