Cirino Announces Passage of Bills Providing Millions in Additional Pandemic Relief

COLUMBUS - State Senator Jerry C. Cirino (R-Kirtland) this week announced the Senate's unanimous passage of a series of bills providing combined state and federal funding to businesses and other entities across Ohio for COVID-19 pandemic-related expenses.

The funding passed in S.B. 108, S.B. 109, and S.B. 110 provides:

• $125 million to bars, restaurants and lodging businesses across Ohio
• $465 million to help Ohioans struggling to pay rent and utilities during the pandemic
• $150 million for small businesses who have already been approved for aid but have yet to receive funding due to lack of program funding
• $20 million for indoor entertainment businesses who lost revenue due to canceled events and closures.
• $10 million for new businesses that opened their doors after January 1, 2020.
• $120 million for Ohio's fairs, veterans’ homes and child care services, including:
• $4.7 million for Ohio’s county and independent fairs
• $3 million for Ohio’s two veterans’ homes
• $112.2 million to reimburse child care providers for pandemic-related expenses

“Many Ohioans and businesses are struggling, and the General Assembly is doing its part to provide funds to make sure Ohio can emerge from the events of the past year stronger than ever," said Senator Cirino, who co-sponsored the three bills. "Now more than ever, we need to help Ohio move forward from this pandemic toward economic recovery while helping Ohioans maintain their livelihoods.”

To date, over $2.5 billion in funding has been approved by the General Assembly to be distributed to Ohio’s communities as they continue to battle and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bills will now be sent to the Ohio House for further consideration.