Rep. McNally Announces $180,940 for Stambaugh Auditorium

COLUMBUS- State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today announced $180,940 for the Henry H. Stambaugh Auditorium Association in Youngstown as part of the first round of funding from the Ohio Department of Development’s Ohio Arts Economic Relief Grant Program. 

“Arts, technology, and entertainment were truly a lifeline during the pandemic, and it’s a shame so many organizations doing great work suffered at that time,” said Rep. McNally. “These dollars will help with the immediate impact and ripple effects of a time truly out of their control.” 

The Ohio Arts Economic Relief Grant Program was created to defray Ohio organization or operator operating expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic, not exceeding 10% of their calendar year 2022 operating expenses or their cumulative decrease in gross revenue in 2020 and 2021 when compared to 2019. Grant awards also could not exceed $1.5 million. Among other criteria, the organization or operator had to be located in Ohio with their primary purpose being related to the arts. 

“The Biden Administration continually invests in Ohio and the institutions that give us culture and joy,” said Rep. McNally. “A supportive White House, that sees Youngstown, feels our need, and works to solve problems, makes a big difference in times of trouble. That is exactly what the pandemic was and what this Administration is, and I’m very thankful for that. ” 

The grant program, made possible by federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act, administered $23.52 million to 139 entities around the state in its first round of funding. The remainder of the total $50 million allocated to the program are likely to be announced by the Strategic Investments Division, the division within the Ohio Department of Development overseeing the program, in the next month or so. Applications for the one-time grant allocation were due on Friday, March 31, 2023.