Pultney Township in Belmont County is now offering grants to small businesses that were deemed non-essential or had to change operations once the pandemic began in March.
To qualify, the business had to be in operation on Jan. 1, 2020, and has fewer than 25 employees or Form 1099 employees. The business must be independently owned and operated, as well, and must have a brick-and-mortar location that is currently open in Pultney Township.
“We are offering to all businesses that were deemed non-essential and closed,” explained Township Trustee Scott Porter. “Those businesses were either forced to close, or they had to make a lot of changes to how they do business. Restaurants, for example, had to go to strictly take-out instead of allowing their customers to dine inside, and so many other businesses had to adapt, and it hurt them.
“So that is why we want to do what we can to help those businesses,” he said. “The state has set the rules as far as which businesses are eligible for these funds, and that is why we want to keep it local. If we don’t keep it local, we have to give it back, so that is why we want as many people as possible to know that we have these funds for them.”
Available Assistance
Pultney Township received more than $200,000 in Cares Act funding, and along with upgrading how the trustees conduct their meetings and operate the Township, the trustees want to get as many dollars as possible out to local business owners.
“The Township has $212,000 to spend on this program, and that’s actually what we are trying to do,” Porter said. “Our Township is permitted to use some of the funds to expand our meeting area and to get some new iPads so we can continue operating as safely as possible, but we also made the decision to get these funds back to the people who have supported our levies.
“We have identified about 25 businesses in the Township that are eligible for these funds, and we’re hoping they all apply and take advantage of these opportunities,” he said. “We have made the applications this week, and we are hoping to give each of those businesses at least a couple thousand dollars to help them at this time. It will be based on how many apply and are qualified.”
Federal, State Guidelines
While Porter and his colleagues wish they could financially assist all businesses within Pultney Township, they have been limited by the standards issued by Ohio and the federal government.
That is why operations such as chain stores and franchises, pawn shops, thrift stores, and businesses that sell firearms and tobacco or vaping supplies are excluded. Nonprofits are ineligible, as well.
“The businesses that are listed that do not qualify were all deemed essential at the time when the shutdowns occurred,” Porter reported. “Those are the guidelines that were set by the state of Ohio and by the federal government, and I am one of the trustees that disagreed with those standards because I believe every business has been negatively impacted, but we have to follow their guidelines while distributing these funds.
“We just hope all of the businesses that do qualify will apply and work with us so we can offer what assistance we can right now,” he said. “We’re heading into the winter months, and no one seems to know what to expect as far as the numbers and what actions will be taken by the state this time around. I just hope that they will be able to remain open and that everyone goes about their business as safely as possible.”
Come and Get It
Porter, who has tendered his resignation as a trustee effective Jan. 1, 2021, hopes all of the eligible businesses owners in the township will decide to participate.
“I just think it would be a shame if we had to give any dollars back because no one really knows what to expect later this year and early next year,” he said. “I think we all thought we would be through this by now, but there’s not too many people alive right now who have ever lived through anything like this, so it is my hope they take advantage of this opportunity.
“As far as my resignation is concerned, a new employment opportunity may not allow me to attend all of the meetings, and I don’t want to short-change the residents of the Township,” Porter added. “I have always been a full-time trustee no matter what other jobs I have had in the past, so it wasn’t ever an issue, but right now it could become one, and I want the residents to receive what they deserve.”
