Funding Remains for 4 Ohio Coronavirus Relief Grants

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Funding remains for four grant programs offered by the state of Ohio to help businesses in hard-hit sector through the pandemic.

“Ohio’s economy is tied to the success of our small businesses, so it’s in our best interests to go forward together. What is good for Ohio’s 982,000 small businesses is good for Ohio,” said Gov. Mike DeWine in a statement.

Earlier this year, the state approved $310 million in total funding for the Food and Beverage Establishment Grant, the Entertainment Venue Grant, the Lodging Grant and the New Small Business Grant.

The first three offer grants of $10,000, $20,000 or $30,000 to businesses in their respective fields, while the New Small Business Grant provides $10,000 to businesses established in 2020. More information on the grants is available at InvestingInOhiosFuture.ohio.gov.

DeWine also pointed to the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant Program, which will provide a total of $250 million to develop and expand internet access across the state, as well as the state’s new Made in Ohio website, which features nearly 900 Ohio-based businesses. New businesses can register at Ohio.org/madeinohio.

Finally, DeWine noted services provided by several state agencies, including the Ohio Small Development Business Center and Ohio Export Assistance Network – which have offices at Youngstown State University’s Williamson College of Business Administration – the Ohio Minority Business Assistance Centers – available in the Valley at the Youngstown Business Incubator – and the Ohio Procurement Technical Assistance Centers.

Other programs the state has invested in include TechCred, which supports employees seeking technology-focused industry credentials; Industry Sector Partnership grants, which supports collaborations between businesses, education and training providers; and the Export Internship and Diversity & Inclusion Tech Internship, a series of programs that give college students experience and small- or medium-sized technology businesses. 

Image via Jeff Kubina / CC BY-SA

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.