An investigation by the newspaper found the state spent less than 40% of the funds state leaders allocated to these programs when they stopped taking applications in December.
Who received these funds? Unlike with federal programs, grant recipients are not listed on government websites. So the Dayton Daily News made statewide data searchable below.
Here are the total awards to local counties:
Less than half of state business aid awarded
State leaders appropriated $310 million in state and federal funds through four programs last year to help businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but only $115.9 million was paid out, including $13.7 million in this region, our investigation found.
| County | Entertainment Venue Grant | Food and Beverage Establishment Grant | Lodging Grant | New Small Business Grant | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butler | $310,000 | $1,545,632 | $470,000 | $220,000 | $2,545,632 |
| Champaign | $32,727 | $60,000 | $0 | $10,000 | $102,727 |
| Clark | $80,000 | $280,000 | $100,859 | $60,000 | $520,859 |
| Darke | $60,000 | $184,916 | $40,000 | $40,000 | $324,916 |
| Greene | $114,444 | $580,000 | $220,000 | $130,000 | $1,044,444 |
| Miami | $60,602 | $530,000 | $180,000 | $90,000 | $860,602 |
| Montgomery | $789,742 | $4,266,174 | $840,000 | $470,000 | $6,365,916 |
| Preble | $8,503 | $180,000 | $100,000 | $10,000 | $298,503 |
| Warren | $150,000 | $860,000 | $430,000 | $150,000 | $1,590,000 |
| Total | $1,606,018 | $8,486,722 | $2,380,859 | $1,180,000 | $13,653,599 |
Source: Dayton Daily News analysis of Ohio Department of Development data
Entertainment Venue Grant Program Data
Search recipients of Ohio’s Entertainment Venue Grant program below. The program provided grants up to $30,000 to theaters, music venues, spectator sports venues, museums, and other entertainment establishments affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Of $40 million state lawmakers allocated to the program, only $14.2 million was spent when the state closed the application window.
Food and Beverage Establishment Grant Program
Search recipients of Ohio’s Food and Beverage Establishment Grant program below. The program provided grants up to $30,000 to restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and other food and drinking businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Of $200 million state lawmakers allocated to the program, only $80.4 million was spent when the state closed the application window.
Lodging Grant Program
Search recipients of Ohio’s Lodging Grant program below. The program provided grants up to $30,000 to hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast operations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Of $50 million state lawmakers allocated to the program, only $13.8 million was spent when the state closed the application window.
New Small Business Grant Program
Search recipients of Ohio’s New Small Business Grant program below. The program provided provided grants of up to $10,000 to small businesses that were established between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2020. Of $20 million state lawmakers allocated to the program, only $7.5 million was spent when the state closed the application window.
Do you have a tip, story idea or question for the Dayton Daily News? Submit it here:
About the Author
