#GOPCThread: Sustaining Community in the Face of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Part 2

Our latest #GOPCThread is up on Twitter today, as we take a look at ways Ohio is adapting to COVID-19 and working to promote social distancing.

"We're all in this together" has been a rallying cry across the state since March, here are some examples of how together, we have been Ohio Strong!

Not on Twitter, the thread is available online , as well as below.


Greater Ohio Policy Center Read on Twitter

Today’s #GOPCThread takes a look at how Ohio is supporting small businesses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Like our previous thread about #Sustaining Community, support for #SmallBusiness has been critical in the “We’re All in This Together” effort statewide.

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Stabilizing small businesses is a top priority for Ohio’s communities. @CuyahogaCounty & its non-profit partners created a #SmallBusiness Stabilization Fund—providing up to $5K grants to support small businesses during the crisis. #GOPCThread

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Click Image for Story Link.

To sustain commercial corridors, @LakewoodOhio created a #SmallBusiness Rent Relief fund—providing grants during COVID. This supported the City’s goal: strengthen economic development efforts to increase commercial occupancy. #GOPCThread

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Click Image for Story Link.

When Tower City Center, in @CityofCleveland, thought COVID may lead to lasting vacancies, the downtown mall’s landlord (better positioned than most) waived rent, expenses, & parking fees for #SmallBusinesses in April, May & June. #GOPCThread

Click Image for Story Link. Source cleveland.com

Click Image for Story Link. Source cleveland.com

When @HamiltonOh businesses needed help, the City gave $300k for the Economic Development Corporation to purchase gift cards and sell back to the public in a timely manner—helping pay small businesses’ rent & utilities, during COVID. #SmallBusiness

Click Image for Story Link. Source journal-news.com

Click Image for Story Link. Source journal-news.com

To understand the downtown business community’s needs & capture economic data, @MttaMainSt in @MariettaOH administered two COVID-19 Impact Surveys. #SmallBusiness #GOPCThread

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Click Image for Story Link.

.@City_of_Toledo created an Emergency Microenterprise Recovery Grant Program for businesses with 5 employees that cannot receive SBA loans. $5k grants will be awarded through a lottery, if more than 200 apply. #SmallBusiness #GOPCThread

Click Image for Story Link. Source toledoblade.com

Click Image for Story Link. Source toledoblade.com

.@DowntownDayton started a gift card program to leverage resident’s support for their favorite businesses to promote others in downtown. Those who buy a $25 gift card get a $15 bonus gift card to a surprise business. #SmallBusiness #GOPCThread

Click Image for Story Link. Source daytondailynews.com

Click Image for Story Link. Source daytondailynews.com

Starting in June, Montgomery County is offering up to $40M in federal grants to help #SmallBusinesses impacted by COVID-19. The new Montgomery County Office of CARES Act is administering the program. #GOPCThread

Click Image for Story Link. source daytondailynews.com

Click Image for Story Link. source daytondailynews.com

.@ColumbusGov is prioritizing #SmallBusinesses in low-income neighborhoods, with fewer than 25 employees, by offering $5.25M in grants and loans. Additionally, JPMorgan Chase is providing $250K for small business technical assistance. #GOPCThread

Click Image for Story Link. Source dispatch.com

Click Image for Story Link. Source dispatch.com

.@springfieldohio artists go virtual! @itinerantstudio photographers now help customers turn their own photographs into art, online. For every sale, a donation goes to Westcott House, a local nonprofit forced to close due to COVID. #GOPCThread

Click Image for Story Link. Source hubspringfield.com

Click Image for Story Link. Source hubspringfield.com

.@TheCLE is asking local businesses to participate in a new “Clean Committed” program. @CuyahogaCounty purchased 300,000 cleaning kits to be distributed to those participating, with the goal of attracting more travelers and patrons. #GOPCThread

Click Image for Story Link. Source cleveland.com

Click Image for Story Link. Source cleveland.com

What are some ways your community is helping support #SmallBusiness? Respond to this #GOPCThread and let us know and we will be sure to feature it in an upcoming follow-up because we are all #OhioStrong #InThisTogether

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