Dayton to offer small businesses grants amid pandemic

DAYTON — The city of Dayton is seeking proposals from small businesses who need assistance meeting health and safety requirements during the pandemic.

Dayton COVID-19 Small Business Capital Grants Program will help businesses with new expenses related to facility improvements needed to meet health and safety standards, such as building materials, permanent or temporary seating areas, and furnishings, explained Susan Vincent, with Planning and Community Development.

Applications will be accepted from now until Sept. 11.

The business must be located within the Dayton city limits to be eligible. Additionally, the businesses cannot be part of a national chain.

Businesses could be granted up to $10,000 for assistance with the costs of installing new or altering existing spaces to meet public health guidelines for social distancing. The total funding pool is $200,000.

Street-level retailers, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, salons and barbers are some of the small businesses that are encouraged to consider the grant program.

For more information, including application instructions, go to daytonohio.gov/smallbusinesscares.