MOUNT VERNON – Ohio businesses and individuals can look for help from the Ohio Department of Development, which still has grant funds to help offset lost revenue and wages during the pandemic in 2020.
Mayor Matt Starr said he discovered that grants still are available for Ohio businesses and residents affected by the pandemic in 2020. The Ohio Department of Development’s business grant programs include home relief grants, programs for food and beverage, lodging and entertainment venues and a new opportunity for small businesses.
Grants of up to $30,000 to offest losses during the pandemic are available in three sectors: The Food and Beverage Establishment Grant provides grants to restaurants, bars, coffee shops and other food and drinking businesses. The Entertainment Venue Grant helps theaters, music venues, spectator sports venues, museums and other entertainment establishments. Hotels, motels and bed and breakfast operations are eligible for funding through the Lodging Grant.
The New Small Business Grant provides grants of up to $10,000 to small businesses that were established between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2020
Visit businesshelp.ohio.gov for information.
In the Home Relief Grant, the state will help eligible Ohioans on rent, mortgage, and water and/or sewer utility bills catch up on past payments back to March 13, 2020, and provide additional assistance through Dec. 31, 2021. Ohioans can apply for assistance through their local Community Action Agency.
Runners raise funds for suicide prevention
Runners took part in a Suicide Prevention 5K/10K race that started at Ariel-Foundation Park on Saturday that was all about raising money for suicide prevention efforts, Starr said.
“This is something that the Recovery Board for Licking and Knox Counties helps to champion, and helps to fund programs such as the Knox County LOSS team (Local Outreach to Survivors of Suicide).
Funds raised in the race will stay in Knox County.
Sandusky Street project shifting to west side
A large storm drain has been installed on the east side of Sandusky Street in the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) project. The roadbed has been stabilized.
“We're still really taking extra care and extra time to make sure that that roadbed is stable to be able to withstand the truck today's truck traffic,” Starr said.
The city wants to make sure it can be maintained with minimal maintenance.
Once the roadway paving is completed, the sidewalk and the driveway grading are going to start, probably this week, he said. October remains the goal to switch over to working on the west side of Sandusky.
Underground utility work continues on the Oak Street and South Catherine Street project.
“We're going to be working on the curbing and the gutter, then the roadway and the sidewalks and then what's the last thing to be done will be the bricks,” he said.
Small’s Asphalt was awarded the bid for paving in Mount Vernon, which probably will start in October. The delay is to give as much time as possible for Columbia Gas to complete its work.
The gas company is running into the same problem as the city in getting supplies.
“Getting supplies and materials is not just affecting local government agencies. It's also affecting the businesses,” Starr said.
A public meeting will be scheduled as early as the next week or two on the Clintonville Phase One and Two project, which will involve wastewater, storm water and water lines.
