Financial relief available for Sandusky's small businesses

SANDUSKY — On a local level, the public sector wants to bail out private businesses suffering from various coronavirus-related setbacks. So, in hopes of providing some financial relief, Sandusky officials on Friday formalized a new initiative called the local business relief grant program. They set aside $150,000 in economic development funds — produced through Issue 8, a dual tax levy voters overwhelmingly approved in 2014 — to help specific cash-strapped industries. Each qualifying business can receive up to $3,000. Officials originally planned to spend these funds in larger chunks to help a handful of local businesses start or expand later on in 2020. In past years, they gave anywhere between $15,000 to $100,000 for an individual project. But they diverted the money into this program. Why? Sandusky city manager Eric Wobser explained it's far more imperative to help larger numbers of businesses, even if it's a smaller dollar amount, given the current circumstances. "You can't save your way to prosperity," Wobser said. "Our government works best when the city is filled with healthy and vibrant small businesses. It's critical, right now, for us, to put funds into the hands of local businesses so they are more likely to reopen and, thus, help sustain our community and our tax base." The local grant spawns from other state- and federal-level packages made available in recent weeks to combat financial fallout from COVID-19. "Our fear is, once these restrictions are lifted, that many of the businesses might be unable to reopen based on the losses they incurred during this period of closure," Wobser said. In recent weeks, many businesses closed to comply with Ohio's stay-at-home order. Others, meanwhile, significantly scaled back operations — restaurants only allowing takeout and prohibiting dine-in options, for instance — so they could avoid mass gatherings of 10-plus people in a particular establishment. "These businesses collectively employ a lot of people and a large number of our citizens," Wobser said. "If the local government can do something to help their small businesses make it that much more likely they'll be able to reopen, once the restrictions are lifted, then that's something we should do." Entrepreneurs can't apply for money until Wednesday. Among the people expected to seek grant dollars is Bridget Sanders, who owns Lena Brows & Beauty Bar on West Water Street. "Ohio had the rug pulled from under us without warning. We have already been shut down for (several weeks) with talk this virus could move us to June," said Sanders, guessing when she might be allowed to reopen her downtown salon. "This grant gives a cushion to know we have something to come back to while we remain safe," Sanders said. "Rainy day money doesn't last forever, especially when you're forced to use it." Who can apply? Among those eligible for a one-time grant totaling upward of $3,000, a business must: • Operate within the city's borders; Businesses located outside city limits — like in Perkins Township, Bay View or elsewhere carrying the 44870 ZIP code — won't be approved. • Employ no more than 50 employees • Fall into one of the following sectors: restaurant, bar, salon, barbershop, gym, workout facility, wellness facility or studio, tattoo parlor, bowling alley, dry cleaner, seamstress/tailor, event/banquet center and general retailers "This program is for non-chain businesses only," said John Storey, the city's economic development specialist. "Any business with more than three locations is ineligible to receive assistance under this program." Additionally, Storey indicated what else wouldn't receive funding: • Any non-storefront-based business • Any home-based business • Any business known as an unregistered sole proprietorship without any employees • Any business allowed to continue operating through the state's mandated shutdown; Restaurants with closed dining rooms are eligible for grant funds. • Gas stations; automotive parts or repair shops; smoke/vape shops; internet cafes; gambling parlors; professional services — this would include firms for law, accounting and real estate How can businesses apply? Storey emphasized how the process is "fair, straightforward and easy to navigate." • Beginning Monday, people can view the application at it www.ci.sandusky.oh.us/businessrelief • Beginning Wednesday, people can begin applying by either visiting the website or emailing jstorey@ci.sandusky.oh.us Approved businesses can expect to receive funds no more than two weeks after hearing back.