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Oelslager Reminds Businesses Cares Act Funding Still Available

December 3, 2021
Scott Oelslager News

COLUMBUS — State Representative Scott Oelslager (R-North Canton) wants to remind Ohio businesses that millions of dollars remain available through grant programs to help with COVID-19 relief.   

“Small businesses took an economic hit during the pandemic,” said Oelslager. “Through federal dollars and state legislation, we have helped Ohio businesses get back on their feet, and there is still money that can be claimed.”

Ohio received federal money through the CARES Act, where $2.2 trillion dollars was distributed to states for economic stimulus. The State of Ohio used the injection of money to create various grant programs to help build back small businesses.  

The grant programs are as follows:

The Food and Beverage Establishment Grant provides grants of up to $30,000 to restaurants, bars, coffee shops and other food and drinking businesses. The amount of individual grants to eligible businesses will be determined by the business’ loss of revenue in 2020. Over $79 million has already been awarded, but more than $120 million in funding remains unclaimed. 

To be eligible for the Food and Beverage Establishment Grant a business must have one physical location in Ohio and experienced at least a 10% reduction in sales during 2020. In addition, the business must be in good standing with the Ohio Secretary of State, Department of Taxation and any other government entity charged with regulating the business. 

The Lodging Grant provides up to $30,000 to hotels, motels or bed and breakfast operations. The amount of individual grants available to businesses will be determined by the decline in occupancy rate in 2020. More than $36 million in funding is still available. 

To be eligible for the Lodging Grant the business must have one physical location in Ohio, experienced a 10% reduction in occupancy and must obtain a hotel or motel license from the Ohio Department of Commerce. The applicant must be in good standing with the Ohio Secretary of State, Department of Taxation and any other government entity charged with regulating the business. 

The Entertainment Venue Grant provides up to $30,000 to theaters, music venues, spectator sports venues, museums, and other entertainment venues. The amount of individual grants to eligible businesses will be determined by the business’ loss of revenue in 2020. More than $26 million remain available.  

To be eligible for the Entertainment Venue Grant the business must have one physical location in Ohio, experienced a 10% reduction in sales and must have a valid Ohio vendor’s license, food service operations license or liquor permit. The applicant also must be in good standing with the Ohio Secretary of State, Department of Taxation and any other government entity charged with regulating the business.

The New Small Business Grant is a program that provides grants of $10,000 to small businesses that were established between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2020. More than $12 million in funding remains available. 

To be eligible for the New Small Business Grant, the applicant must have at least two and no more than 25 Ohio employees. The business must have a physical location in Ohio and experienced revenue loss or unplanned costs because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The business must be in good standing with the Ohio Secretary of State, the Ohio Department of Taxation and any other governmental entity charged with regulating the business.

The grant programs are being administered through the Department of Development.

Information about each of the grant programs is available at InvestingInOhiosFuture.Ohio.Gov. Links to apply for grants also are at the website.