By Haylee Pence
MIAMI VALLEY – The Miami County Commissioners approved the resolution on Tuesday, Feb. 22, to authorize the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Small Business Grant Program. The program has $750,000 available for small businesses in Miami County.
In order for a small business to be eligible for grant money, they must meet the requirements set forth from the ARPA Committee. These requirements include being located within Miami County, 50 employees or less, less than $5 million in gross annual revenue, and have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commissioner President Ted Mercer stated, “The ARPA funding will not only allow us to help our community, non-profits, and businesses return to their pre-COVID states, it will also allow us to strengthen them for the future.”
The grant program is to help cover general expenses, COVID prevention, workforce retention and attraction efforts, and technical assistance counseling, which occurred after March 3, 2021. More information on the details and requirements can be found at the Miami County Commissioners webpage at co.miami.oh.us/1088/American-Rescue-Plan-ARPA-Updates.
Small business owners can apply at the Miami County Commissioners webpage or hard copy applications can be retrieved at the Department of Development Office and returned there as well to Development Services Manager Michael Clarey. The Department of Development Office is located on the first floor of the Hobart Center for County Government at 510 Water St. in Troy. Online applications can be submitted to [email protected].
Commissioner Wade Westfall stated, “Small businesses are the backbone of our community. Supporting these businesses helps to provide economic opportunities for not only owners and employees, but also their families. Far too often these programs leave out smaller businesses, and I am pleased that our board created this program specifically for these small businesses in our county.”
Commissioner Greg Simmons commented, “Awarding grant funds to Miami County small businesses for the purpose of reimbursing them for COVID impacts, general expenses, and workforce retention and development efforts is a once in a lifetime opportunity to lift them up and hopefully encourage growth in the future.”
After applications are submitted, they will be reviewed by the ARPA Committee and county administrator. Then, the applications will be reviewed and approved by the Miami County Commissioners. Applications will be open Feb. 28 through May 31, and the grant funds will be issued in June.
If you have any questions about the program or application process, contact Gary Link, ARPA project manager, at 937-335-5675 or at [email protected].
