$155 Million Ohio Business Grant Programs: Who Qualifies

COLUMBUS, OH — Ohio is launching four new grant programs to aid businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Ohio’s economy is moving forward, and with new grant programs like the ones we are announcing today, we are optimistic that our economy will only continue to grow stronger from here," Gov. Mike DeWine said Friday morning.

Funds for the programs were made available by the Ohio General Assembly. The grants will be administered by the Ohio Development Services Agency. Guidelines and required documentation for each program have been posted online.

The application period begins Tuesday.

Who qualifies for the programs?

• Businesses that opened in 2020.
• Food and beverage establishments.
• Entertainment venues.
• Lodging venues (hotels, etc.).

“The grants will help these businesses buy equipment, hire more employees and make needed updates to their facilities, so they, and the communities they serve, can recover faster," Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said.

The Ohio Small Business Development Centers and Ohio Minority Business Assistance Centers have both been tasked with staffers to help prospective applicants.

What does each grant do?

• Food and Beverage Establishment Grant

This program will provide grants of $10,000, $20,000 or $30,000 to restaurants, bars, coffee shops and other related businesses. The amount each business receives will be determined by that business's lost revenue in 2020.

The total funding available for this program is $100 million.

• Entertainment Venue Grant

Provides grants of $10,000, $20,000 or $30,000 to theaters, music venues, spectator sports venues, museums, and other entertainment venues. The amount each business receives will be determined by that business's lost revenue in 2020.

The total funding available for this program is $20 million.

• Lodging Grant

This program will provide grants of $10,000, $20,000 or $30,000 to hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast operations. The amount each business receives will be determined by that business's lost revenue in 2020.

The total funding available for this program is $25 million.

• New Small Business Grant

This program will provide grants of $10,000 to small businesses that were established between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2020.

The total funding available is $10 million.