Scrappers Among 8 Minor League Teams to Receive State Grants

COLUMBUS, Ohio – State lawmakers are stepping up to the plate to support the Mahoning Valley Scrappers and other minor league baseball and hockey teams.

The 134th Ohio General Assembly appropriated $30 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to help eligible teams recover from losses suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic through Minor League Relief Grants, which are being administered through the Ohio Department of Development.

The Scrappers, one of six minor league baseball teams in the state that was awarded a grant, will receive $927,487.

Here are the other baseball teams that were awarded grants:

• Akron Rubber Ducks: $3,869,612;
• Dayton Dragons: $6,208,396;
• Lake County Captains: $1,635,080;
• Lake Erie Crushers: $1,032,259;
• Toledo Mud Hens: $7,414,769.

In addition to the baseball teams, two minor league hockey teams were also awarded grants. The Cincinnati Cyclones will receive $3,590,363, and the Toledo Walleye will get $5,321,219.

Grant amounts were awarded pro-rata based on the teams’ 2019 gross revenue.

“Ohio is the heart of excitement, and there’s nothing more exciting than the roar of a crowd rooting for the home team,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development. “With this funding, we’re supporting more than just these teams – we’re supporting beloved members of our communities. Whether it’s with a hat trick or a home run, these teams bring generations of fans together and give them something to cheer for. We’re proud to invest in that.”

Pictured at top: Image provided by the Ohio Department of Development.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.