Terre Haute, In. – Tuesday the United Way of the Wabash Valley and the City of Terre Haute awarded $1.6 million through their Small Business Grant Program to 26 local small businesses. This funding came from Terre Haute’s American Rescue Plan Act or ARPA funding that was allocated to the United Way by the City Council. Executive director of the United Way of the Wabash Valley Abby Desboro said that these small and local businesses are the backbone of our community. Out of 60 applicants these 26 businesses were chosen through data collected by community volunteers who did multiple studies, along with how their proposed changes would positively impact the community.