County approves more business grants

Lorain County commissioners continued trends in approving an additional 22 grants for small businesses.

Lorain County commissioners continued recent trends in approving an additional 22 grants for small businesses as part of program set through CARES Act funding.

The commissioners grants totaled $105,700 in amounts of up to $5,000.

Additional grants are scheduled to be awarded on Nov. 11 as the commissioners continue to review applications.

Lorain County Community Development Director Don Romanchak said the county received 132 applications, about half of which are from women- owned businesses.

The county currently has about $350,000 remaining to grant to qualifying businesses.

“The diversity in the types of businesses applying as well as the number of both minority- owned and women- owned businesses, shows the extreme need for these grant funds,” said Commissioner President Lori Kokoski. “The Board continues to see this program as a much-needed investment in our communities.

“Subsequently, we have extended the application period as well as to include auto shops as another industry in the eligibility pool.”

Lorain County businesses that have gross revenues of $1 million or less, were in business before March 1, 2020, have 15 or less fulltime equivalent employees and operate at a business or storefront location are eligible to apply.

While the program is designed to assist businesses that have not received other direct financial assistance from federal, state or local governments, applications will be accepted and reviewed from those businesses that are otherwise eligible, and where assistance received was less than $5,000, officials said.

Commissioner Sharon Sweda stated the disappointing fact is that there are more announcements on businesses closing.

“The grants are a hopeful method to help get more businesses on their feet,” Sweda said. “It is my wish to see no business closings and a continued increase in applicants.

“We are doing anything we can to keep doors open for as many businesses as possible.”

The intent of the program is to assist small local businesses that have not been able to access Paycheck Protection Program funding, also known as PPP, or other assistance and impacted by the novel coronavirus pandemic orders.

Commissioner Mat t Lundy said he was surprised there aren’t more restaurant applications coming in, but understands they may have received federal dollars.

“It is important to the county that we keep small businesses thriving, so please continue to submit applications every week,” Lundy said. “We are trying to find new ways to approve a multitude of businesses.”