Greene County Unveils Change to Coronavirus Business Relief Program

On August 1st the Greene County’s Department of Development rolled out its CARES Grant for Greene County Small Businesses, which was created to provide economic relief to local businesses for costs directly associated with the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.

This new business relief program utilizes money from the federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act program. Greene County received $2.5 million in funds from the state as part of this program. The Board of County Commissioners set aside $500,000 for assisting small businesses. The remaining $2 million is being used to offset the cost of Greene County’s response to the pandemic.

Eligible small businesses can apply for up to $10,000 to use for coronavirus/COVID-19 related costs incurred after March 1st including sanitizing and personal protective equipment, costs related to enforcing social distancing, rent/mortgage, non-municipal utilities, and business insurance.

Since the program began accepting applications, the Department of Development has received 37 applications and has approved 19 for grants, equaling over $153,237 in funding for local businesses.

“While the response has been slower than expected, Commissioners are thrilled to be able to get this money out to our small business community. They understand how critical this segment of our economy is and they understand that they were especially hard hit. We encourage all qualifying small businesses to apply right away,” said County Administrator Brandon Huddleson.

Three Greene County jurisdictions, Miami Township, Sugarcreek Township, and Xenia Township, have also pledged portions of their CARES funding for the Department of Development to administer towards each jurisdiction’s respective local businesses.

On September 1st, the CARES Grant for Greene County Small Businesses will begin allowing companies with up to $5 million gross annual income to apply for funding. Initially, the program was capped at $1 million in gross annual revenue to ensure smaller businesses received priority.

Other initial requirements for eligibility include:

• Must be a small business with 50 or fewer total employees
• Must be a for-profit entity located in Greene County, Ohio
• Must have a Federal Taxpayer Identification Number
• Must have less than $5 million in gross annual revenue as evidenced by records such as federal income tax returns or financial statements
• Must not have already received any federal or local assistance (e.g. CARES or COVID-19 SBA loans, PPP, local jurisdiction grants or loans, etc.)
• Must have a physical storefront (e.g. bar, restaurant, retail, barbershop, etc.) and/or be an allowable home office as reported in the most recently filed tax return
• Must be current on all federal, state, and local taxes
• Must be in compliance with federal, State of Ohio, and local small business requirements

Ineligible businesses include:

• Adult entertainment establishments
• Banks, savings and loans, or credit unions
• E-commerce only companies
• Liquor/wine stores
• Non-profits
• Vaping stores
• Tobacco stores
• Cannabis dispensaries
• Franchised businesses not locally owned and independently operated
• Businesses will NOT be able to receive assistance from more than one government agency for coronavirus relief (SBA loans, PPP, EIDL, etc.).

Applications for the CARES Grant for Greene County Small Businesses programs can be accessed at: https://www.co.greene.oh.us/1688/CARES-Grant-for-Greene-County-Small-Busi

Applications for this program are being accepted now and will continue to be accepted until all funds for this program have been depleted or until October 30th, 2020.

About the Greene County Department of Development

The Greene County Department of Development promotes Community and Economic Development within the County. Working with local jurisdictions, the Greene County Department of Development works to retain, expand and attract new jobs and businesses in the Greene County region while promoting and initiating community development improvement projects to enhance the quality of life for Greene County residents.

For any questions regarding the Greene County Department of Development, contact Director of Development Eric Henry at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (937) 562-5007.