MANSFIELD — The City of Mansfield is adding $315,000 to a local COVID-19 grant program for local companies involved in entertainment, lodging/tourism and the food and beverage industry.
The grants, ranging in size from $10,000 to $30,000, are being administered through a program operated by the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development to benefit companies and non-profits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Richland County commissioners launched the program with a $1 million commitment in December from their ARPA funds.
The additional funds for businesses within the city, coming from Mansfield’s share of American Rescue Plan Act funds, were approved by the city’s Board of Control on Tuesday.
Mayor Tim Theaker said the money will from from the $550,000 in initial ARPA spending approved by Mansfield City Council in September.
“I think this is needed,” said Tim Bowersock, the city’s economic development director.
The grant application period began Jan. 6 and runs through Jan. 31.
Chamber President/CEO Jodie Perry has said the program mirrors one enacted by the State of Ohio this summer, targeting the three specific industries.
She said local businesses must show a “downturn in revenue” due to the pandemic and that grant awards would be based on the economic impact suffered due to COVID-19.
Awards will be based on percentage of revenue lost due to the pandemic and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
For example, Perry said, a business would need to demonstrate it lost more than 51 percent of its revenue due to the pandemic to receive the maximum $30,000 grant.
Perry said the chamber will use the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) to ensure local companies are involved in the industries targeted through the grant program.
She acknowledged there are businesses and non-profits who may be only partially involved in the targeted fields.
Local businesses seeking to apply can learn more about the program here and apply here.
