$98,000 In Grants Awarded To Avon Lake Bars, Restaurants

AVON LAKE, OH — Avon Lake's restaurants and bars are getting nearly $100,000 in grants thanks to a partnership between Avon Lake's Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) and Avon Lake Waterfront Corporation.

According to the city, 25 restaurants and bars received grants of either $3,000 or $4,000. A total of $98,000 grants were awarded.

"I’ve never seen a group of people more motivated and energized by a cause than the CIC in response to this crisis,” said Ted Esborn, economic development director for Avon Lake. “These are five volunteer residents of Avon Lake in this group, with young families, who mobilized as soon as they sensed that these businesses would be ordered to close

The CIC created an emergency coronavirus grant program to quickly distribute funds for small businesses. Businesses applied for the grants through an online application posted on the city of Avon Lake's website.

An initial round of 12 grants were issued on March 22. The first batch of grants depleted most of the CIC's funds, and organizers briefly thought they would have to decrease how much each grant contained. Then Avon Lake Councilperson Dan Bucci stepped in.

He contacted the CIC on behalf of Avon Lake Waterfront and offered a contribution to boost the second round of grants. Thirteen bars and restaurants were then awarded grants.

"The time for all of us – our great city, its individuals, businesses, faith-based organizations andothers – to act is now. The Avon Lake CIC is honored to provide support to our local business community during this moment of uncertainty and instability in our society. We only ask that others who may be in a position to help, please consider doing your part," said Steve Luca, of the CIC.

The Avon Lake Waterfront Corporation puts on the Avon Lake Waterfront Wine Festival.