Richardson Announces $425 Million in Coronavirus Relief Funding for Ohio

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville) today announced the state Controlling Board has approved $425 million in federal CARES Act funding to support small businesses, rent and mortgage assistance, higher education, rural hospitals, non-profit unemployment, and the arts.

“Ohioans are working hard to overcome the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Richardson. “This crucial, federal CARES Act funding will help keep many Ohio businesses and organizations operating and serving the needs of our state.”

The package approved today will be distributed to the following areas:

- $125 million for small business grants, which will allow small businesses to apply for up to $10,000 in relief;
- $55 million for rent, mortgage and utility assistance to be administered by the Developmental Services Agency through various Community Action Agencies;
- $100 million for higher education to assist with added expenses due to COVID-19;
- $62 million for rural/critical access hospitals;
- $38 million in liquor permit rebates;
- $25 million for non-profit unemployment, and
- $20 million to support the arts.

Details and eligibility information on the Small Business Relief Grant, Home Relief Grant, and the Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund are available at https://businesshelp.ohio.gov/. Ohioans can begin applying for the relief funding on November 2.

Since the onset of COVID-19, the Ohio House has passed more than a dozen bills related to the pandemic, including measures to support small businesses, schools, healthcare workers, first responders and more.

With today’s approval, the state has committed $3 billion in federal CARES Act funding to support schools, local governments and more with COVID-related expenses.