Bill aids bars, restaurants and hotels

SANDUSKY — A bill that provides grants to bars, restaurants and hotels to help make up for pandemic-related losses was approved in the Ohio House.

House Bill 169, co-sponsored by state Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, now moves to the Senate for action. The bill appropriates $125 million in federal COVID-19 relief aid.

HB 169 appropriates $100 million in grants for bars and restaurants and $25 million in grants for the lodging industry. For bars and restaurants, the grants will be awarded in the amounts of $10,000, $20,000 and $30,000 based on loss of revenue and the number of employees. Additionally, the lodging industry grants will be awarded in the amounts of $10,000, $20,000 and $30,000 based on loss of revenue and occupancy rates.

"Since the businesses were unable to operate during most of 2020 due to a pandemic that included government intervention into their day-to-day operations, it was only fair that these businesses receive funding to get back on their feet," Swearingen said.

Swearingen also supported and the chamber approved House Bill 168, another COVID-19 relief plan that focuses on small businesses, county fairs, child care and Ohio’s two veterans homes. Specifically, the allocation for the veterans' homes totals $3 million, which will include significant funding for Swearingen’s in-district Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky. That measure also now goes to the Ohio Senate.