City awards CARES Act funds to businesses

Thirty- two Wapakoneta businesses have been granted a portion of the city’s CARES Act funds after city council’s Finance Committee released the allocation numbers Wednesday.

Chad Doll, chairman of the three- man committee that reviewed the applications, submitted by 36 local businesses, said the lengthy process was necessary to ensure the funds were distributed appropriately.

“We are glad it's over,” Doll said. “On the one hand, glad we can start getting funds to entities that need it. On the personal side, glad because it is time consuming and the decisions are not easy but there are a lot of good causes. But no one promises easy in public service. Maybe not fun, but very important and I'm grateful to the committee for the time it put in and the careful consideration it gave to the process.”

On Sept. 21, Wapakoneta City Councilors passed a resolution that established the “City of Wapakoneta CARES Small Business Grant Program,” using CARES Act dollars to authorize grants for local small businesses. Much like the Auglaize County grant program, the city has targeted small businesses and non- profits impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. To qualify, businesses must be locally owned and operated in the city, demonstrate the revenue loss of 10 percent or more due to COVID- 19, have fewer than 50 full- time employees, be current on all taxes and have gross receipts of less than $ 2 million.

Doll said letters were sent Wednesday afternoon to the businesses receiving CARES dollars, including:

ERB'S BBQ, $ 7,500

Humane Society, $ 6,000

Red Roof Inn, $ 4,750

Armstrong Museum, $ 19,155

St. Mark's Lutheran, $ 4,100 Sertoma, $ 1,500

Go Bowl. $ 10,750

Friends of the Library, $ 1,000 Thrifty Sisters, $ 1,000

Sister Cities, $ 2,000

LFR Properties, $ 3,000

Just Plain Fancy, $ 7,033

Lucky Steer, $ 16,500

Twelve Oak Boutique, $ 8,400 Wapa Theater, $ 7,500

Knights of Columbus, $ 4,000 Dance Centre, $ 6,255

Siderail, $ 10,300

YMCA, $ 25,000

Back on Track Therapy, $ 11,000 Escape Wapak, $ 13,000

La Neta, $ 5,000

Crisis Center, $ 34,389

Alpha, $ 19,500

Riverside Art Center, $ 4,500

Roots & Shoots, $ 2,000

WAC, $ 15,300

DWP, $ 2,368

WASS, $ 1,000

Amvets, $ 7,000

Interior Motifs, $ 13,000

Eagles, $ 19,500

Homestretch, $ 6,700

Thanks to Ohio HB 681, the city has been approved for additional CARES funds from the state, totalling $ 349,000. Doll said plans for those funds are still under discussion.

"There is a possibility we may be able to use it for some safety- service expenses. ( SafetyService Director) Floyd ( Greg) is looking into what is eligible and what isn't," Doll said. "Finance Committee did recommend legislation be prepared to that end so that it is in place if that is a possibility, just to be prepared. But another round of grants could be a possibility also. Still investigating all eligible options. So, long story short, we haven't made any decisions yet about what to do with those funds."

At the end of the day, Doll said he is glad this $ 300,000 is able to help local businesses.

"We are pleased to make several awards and keep $ 300,000 in the Wapakoneta community," he said.

Councilors Chad Dunlap and Ross Kantner also serve on the finance committee.