Business relief

The City of Centerville is offering grants to qualifying businesses through its newly-revamped Community Improvement Corporation (CIC).

The COVID-19 Business Relief Program is funded through the CARES ACT, a federal law aimed at mitigating some of the economic fallout of the Coronavirus

pandemic.

“We have seen the devastating effect COVID-19 has had on many small businesses. It is an essential function of the City of Centerville to support our business community. We aimed to find a way to help those businesses that are consumer-focused – like restaurants and retail stores – as well as those that are ineligible for the federal Paycheck Protection Program,” Development Director Michael Norton-Smith said.

The COVID-19 Business Relief Program is targeted at companies with 50 or fewer employees. The CIC Board of Directors will consider applications on a first come-first serve basis. Other considerations may include need for assistance and the likelihood the grant funds will allow businesses to retain jobs in Centerville.

Applicants will be subject to a financial review and must have experienced a decrease in gross revenue because of COVID-19.

Businesses can receive a maximum award of $2,500, which can be used for payroll, rent or mortgage payments, utility expense, insurance payments and facility upgrades to comply with Responsible Restart Ohio social distancing requirements.

Centerville businesses may apply for the assistance program now through October 2020, but demand may exceed available funds. The CIC anticipates that grant awards will be announced in early August.

The application and more information about the program is available at centervilleohio. gov/COVIDRelief.