HANCOCK COUNTY, Ohio — The coronavirus pandemic has been tough on small business, but there is now a little assistance.
With the funding Hancock County received from the Federal Cares Act, county commissioners wanted to set aside some of the money for small businesses.
A $100,000 small business relief fund was established to help business owners recoup any additional money they may have spent, or revenues lost out on during the pandemic shutdown.
"So, if your businesses were closed, or you were buying PPE; there's a whole list of criteria that this could be used for," said Tim Mayle, director of Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development.
Up to 20 businesses will be awarded a $5,000 grant each.
If more than 20 businesses apply, they will be put into a lottery that the 20 recipients will be pulled from.
Though it isn't a life-changing amount of money, the hope is the grant money can help normalize these businesses operations as everyone works to push through this pandemic.
"We've learned a lot, but we're going to continue to need to do all that we can to support businesses. Because they're really struggling right now, and with no end in sight, anything we can do to help them catch up, and then learn how to do business." said Mayle.
The deadline to apply for this small business relief fund grant money is by the end of the business day on Monday, Aug. 31.