Swearingen Announces Millions in Relief Coming to Ohio Small Businesses
State Rep. D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron) announces $125 million for small businesses across the state of Ohio. Swearingen joined the governor and other public officials in a virtual press conference declaring the release of this funding and to other areas that will receive Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) allocations. Swearingen spoke to the small business relief grants at the event.
“The Ohio Small Business Relief Grant Program will assist Ohio businesses that have been harmed by the effects of COVID-19,” said Swearingen. “These grants are necessary as we help businesses respond to this crisis of the current public health emergency.”
Specifically, Swearingen discussed how significant this funding is for businesses throughout the 89th Ohio House District.
“I am proud to stand by Ohio businesses throughout the state and for those throughout my district within Erie and Ottawa Counties,” said Swearingen. “My district with sectors such as manufacturing understand the ramifications of this virus. Another huge sector of businesses and our economy depends on tourism, whose window of opportunity has mostly come and gone as they’ve been financially devastated this year.”
Swearingen mentioned some of the specifics on the relief, including:
• Allowing up to $10,000 in grants from either state and/or local CRF;
• Aiding businesses who have been hit the hardest by the pandemic; and
• Allowing grants to small businesses that have 25 employees or less.
Each business seeking to be awarded the relief must meet a set of eligibility criteria as they complete an application for submission, which will determine if they may receive the grant of up to $10,000.
Swearingen also noted the grant funds are to be used to reimburse eligible businesses for expenses such as personal protective equipment, measures to protect employees and customers, mortgage or rent payments, utilities, and for salaries or wages for employees.
“While these grants will help get small businesses and their employees back on track, we still have a lot more work to do in order to deal with the effects of COVID-19,” Swearingen added.
Along with the small business relief, public officials at the press conference also announced the release of millions in funding for rent, mortgage and utility assistance, higher education, rural access hospitals, non-profit unemployment, liquor permit rebates and performing and cultural arts.