By: 1808Delaware Staff
Often, last minute ideas driven by intense need can result in creative solutions.
Such was the background for a request to Delaware City Council at its Tuesday evening virtual Special Meeting to consider supporting the creation of a new Business Assistance Grant Program for businesses within the city impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and/or recent flooding.
As described by Assistant City Manager Kyle Kridler, the Delaware program would be similar to those already enacted in other central Ohio communities, including one in Union County, that have seen success.
The proposal is for $100,000 to come from the City Development Reserve Fund, and to have applications available for submission in a window from June 1 to June 18. A grant review team would review those applications on a rolling basis.
Criteria for the program would include being situated within the corporate limits of the city of Delaware and having 30 employees or less. Up to $2,500 would be available, with an increase to $5,000 if a particular grant applicant met special exceptions.
Kridler noted that the request on Tuesday was simply for a consensus of Council, with the matter coming up for a second reading and possible final vote on June 8. That way, applications could still be accepted starting in early June.
All Council members who responded expressed support for the initiative. It was shared that this grant program would be a great compliment to local loan programs.
