The Avon Lake COVID-19 Small Business Emergency Relief Grant Program (the “Program”) is a grant fund that has been created in order to assist small businesses in Avon Lake with the financial hardship imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Generally, the amount of the grant per business will range from $1,000 to a maximum of $2,500.

Grant Application

NOTE: Applications are only being accepted for businesses located in the City of Avon Lake.

Avon Lake COVID-19 Small Business Emergency Relief Grant

• Program Requirements
• Application

• Additional Information
  • W-9 Form
  • Instructions on completing and saving a fillable form

Applications must be submitted electronically to agallo@LorainCountyChamber.com.

Grant Information

Eligible businesses will be able to receive grant funds from the program in order to assist with operating expenses incurred during 2020. Generally, the amount of the grant per business will range from $1000 to a maximum of $2,500. The amount of each grant award will be determined by the applicant’s request and the documentation supporting the request. Applicants must submit an application to the Chamber, which will review the application for completeness and compliance with the guidelines. In reviewing the application materials, the Chamber will be in regular contact with the City to provide the status of each application. Applicants who meet the criteria set forth below will be awarded funding on a first come-first serve basis. Once approved, and upon proper receipt of all required documentation, the Chamber will issue payment, and the City will deliver payment to the business as soon as practical. All grant funds will be used solely for business-related expenses, as set forth below. All grants made under the Program are being made with the intention to provide immediate funding to small businesses to meet their business needs, to keep small businesses in Avon Lake operating, and to retain as many jobs as possible in light of the severe economic hardships brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is a summary of the Grant Information. Read the Program Requirements for full details.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for grant funds under the Program, Avon Lake Businesses must meet the following requirement:

• The business may be a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation (both S and C), professional association, limited liability company, limited partnership or limited liability partnership. If a corporation, professional association, limited liability company, limited partnership or limited liability partnership, the business must be registered with the Ohio Secretary of State to do business in the State of Ohio. If a sole proprietorship, the business shall provide documentation of its existence as a business, including, but not limited to income tax returns for the business, trade name registrations, business banking or credit accounts or such similar documents. If a partnership, the business shall either be registered with the Ohio Secretary of State to do business in the State of Ohio, or, if not registered, shall provide documentation similar to that required for a sole proprietorship.
• The business must be privately held.
• The principal place of business for the business must be located within the City of Avon Lake, and must be in a commercial building—home based businesses are not eligible.
• The business can employ a maximum of twenty employees. For purposes of this criteria, “employees” shall mean individuals who regularly work at least 20 hours per week and who are (i) individuals who are employed as employees and provided an IRS Form W-2 at the end of each calendar year, or (ii) individuals who are independently contracted with the business and receive an IRS Form 1099 at the end of each calendar year, and who primarily or exclusively contract with only the business during the year. For purposes of determining whether the business employs the requisite number of individuals, the principal owners of the business do not need not be included in the number of employees if it would cause the business to exceed the maximum number of individuals employed.

The businesses shall NOT be one of the following, regardless of its general eligibility above:

• Any financial institution that makes loans or issues credit to the public, including, but not limited to, banks, credit unions, payday lenders, or any other similar business
• Any chain business with more than three (3) locations
• Gas stations
• Professional services business (law or accounting firm; realty)
• Medical, dental, or veterinary businesses
• Schools or daycares
• Any business that has continued full operation through 2020 as an “essential business”

Business must show how Covid-19 has interrupted, reduced, or impaired operation

This is a summary of the Eligibility Requirements. Read the Program Requirements for full details.

Final eligibility and ineligibility determinations and Grant Awards shall be solely at the discretion of the Grant Underwriting Team.