The City of Lorain is accepting applications for the following ARPA programs:

Relief and Recovery Program

A program designed to assist hospitality, tourism, and small businesses economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible expenses include rent/mortgage, general operating/business expenses, utilities, payroll, and other ancillary impacted business needs.

Eligibility

• • SMALL BUSINESS: Any business, registered at the local, state, and federal level with 25 or less employees and located in the City of Lorain.
  • HOSPITALITY & TOURISM: A business, registered at the local, state and federal level that provides lodging, food and/or recreational services and is located in the City of Lorain. If a nonprofit organization fits within this category, please apply for the Nonprofit Relief Fund.

Ineligible

Any business or organization that primarily sells tobacco products, cigarettes, electronic smoking devices, THC, or vapor products as those terms are defined in Section 2927.02 of the Ohio Revised Code or operating as a sexually oriented business as that term is defined in Section 2907.40 of the Ohio Revised Code are ineligible.

Use of Funds

The City will provide grants based on financial need to assist impacted businesses for any or all of the following purposes: for rent or mortgage payments, general operating or businesses expenses, utilities, payroll, and ancillary impacted business needs.

Submittal Process

All completed applications and supporting documents must be submitted to the City of Lorain, 200 W Erie Ave. Grants will be awarded on a first come, first served basis pending funding availability and business eligibility. Applications will not be considered until all documents have been received by the city.

Information Sheet & Application

• • Program Information
  • Application

Minor Storefront Program

A program designed to assist businesses, address code enforcement violations through minor façade improvements to create more aesthetic retail and commercial districts for a recovering economy from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligibility

• • BUSINESS OR NON-PROFIT STOREFRONT: Any business or nonprofit registered at the local, state, and federal level with 50 or fewer employees and located in the City of Lorain.
  • COMMERCIAL/RETAIL BUILDING OWNER: Any building owner located within an eligible zone (B-1, B-2, MU, I-1, and I-2) and qualified census tracts. Building Owner intends to lease space for new businesses must provide quarterly reporting data.

Ineligible

Any business or organization that primarily sells tobacco products, cigarettes, electronic smoking devices, THC, or vapor products as those terms are defined in Section 2927.02 of the Ohio Revised Code or operating as a sexually oriented business as that term is defined in Section 2907.40 of the Ohio Revised Code are ineligible.

Scope of Work

A minor renovation must be eligible for funding. The funds can be used for labor, supplies, operation costs, materials, etc. No funding can be utilized to purchase food or drinks.

Grants will be awarded based on the availability of funding, evaluation of the building façade (i.e. application photos/site visit), and a completed application.

Qualified applicants are eligible to receive up to a maximum of $25,000. Applicants will be monitored quarterly to ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal requirements until funds are utilized. Additional monitoring will be held as needed. Letters will be provided after each monitoring to ensure compliance or risk of repayment.

The proposed renovation must be completed in its entirety within 1-12 months of the signed agreement depending on the scope of work.

Information Sheet & Application

• • Program Information
  • Application

QUESTIONS

If you have questions regarding this program or its guidelines and application process, please do not hesitate to contact the Building, Housing, and Planning Department:

Hannah C. Kiraly, MNO Program Manager of Community and Economic Development (440) 204 – 2087 Hannah_Kiraly@cityoflorain.org