Lake County considers grants for businesses affected by roundabout construction

Several businesses along Eudora Road, 19A and Old U.S. Highway 441 in Lake County say ongoing roundabout construction is driving away customers and cutting into sales, prompting county commissioners to consider a grant program to help offset losses.The project has disrupted traffic near businesses for more than a month, with detours, blocked parking areas and heavy equipment making it harder for customers to get in and out. Some owners say the impact has been severe enough that they have cut hours and laid off employees.At the Magical Meat Boutique, co-owner Phil Barnard said the loss of drive-by traffic has been especially damaging.“The drive-by has gone right down, including our lunchtime business,” Barnard said. “We used to get a lot of workers come in for their lunches. Now they got to do a detour. They can’t get here on a straight shot.”The business owner says it’s lost near half (42%) of its sales since construction began, according to owners.Nearby, King’s Donuts of Mount Dora i