Lake County Sentinel
State Representative Rogers announces over $547 million in federal funds for COVID-19 and economic relief
(COLUMBUS, OH) – State Representative John Rogers (D-Mentor-On-The-Lake) Monday announced the approval of funds by the state Controlling Board to further aid Ohio’s response to the health and economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Controlling Board Monday approved federal CARES Act funding for several items aimed at providing financial relief to Ohio’s citizens, small businesses, and non-profits that have been impacted by the pandemic:
· $125 million to create the Small Business Relief Grant Program;
· $55.2 million for rent, mortgage and utility assistance
· $38.7 million to create the Ohio Bar and Restaurant Assistance Program;
· $20 million to create the Ohio Arts and Cultural Organizations Grant Program;
· $25 million to the Ohio Dept. of Job and Family Services to support non-profit organizations
“This economic relief is critical for so many in Lake County and across Ohio,” said Rep. Rogers. “The funding priorities set for the distribution of this round of federal CARES Act dollar will help to address the wide-ranging issues Ohioans have grappled with since the start of the pandemic – making rent or covering a mortgage, paying utility bills, keeping workers safe and small businesses open, and accessing unemployment compensation benefits.”
“It is important for the State to focus now on these areas of greatest need to help ensure those in our local communities hit hardest by our current crisis are included as our economic recovery improves.”
The Controlling Board on Monday also voted to approve the following COVID-19 related and funding items using federal dollars:
· $93.3 million to the Ohio Dept. of Health to expand statewide COVID-19 testing capabilities;
· $62 million for Ohio’s rural hospitals;
· $100 million to Ohio public higher education institutions;
· $24.6 million to the Ohio Dept. of Public Safety to support the Ohio National Guard’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic;
· $2.5 million to the Ohio Dept. of Veterans Services to reimburse costs related to addressing COVID-19 spread in Ohio Veterans Homes in Georgetown and Sandusky;
· $1 million Ohio’s public libraries to continue operations.
POSTED 10/26/2020 19:04
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