The grant program is called REOPEN Downtown Dayton and applications are at reopendayton.com.
The CareSource Foundation donated $500,000 toward the program and the Downtown Dayton Partnership said it contributed $200,000 to the fund.
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Erhardt Preitauer, CareSource president and chief executive officer, said in a statement that he intends to extend a challenge to CareSource executives to further support the REOPEN downtown Dayton effort. He said he encourages other companies who can to donate to the fund.
“Dayton is an ecosystem and we need to work together to help businesses get back on their feet,” Preitauer stated. “Dayton has always been there for CareSource, and as we grow we will continue to be there for Dayton.”
The announcement said the goal is to distribute the money within a few weeks of the closure of the application window.
Applicant businesses must be locally-owned and located in downtown Dayton. The program is specifically seeking to help restaurants, bars, retailers, salons, barbers and personal service companies. Applications can be submitted at ReOpenDayton.com starting Thursday, May 14. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. May 22.
Grant applications will be considered by a panel of Dayton area business leaders, and the number of grants awarded will be based on the number of applications received. Award decisions will be made based on the merit of the applicant. It is not a first-come, first-served process, organizers said.
REOPEN Dayton is still looking for additional funders. The organizations said that to contribute to the fund, contact REOPEN Dayton Grant Program, visit ReopenDayton.com or contact the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce.
“Many of the businesses in the core of our region have been forced to close their doors to customers as we take the steps necessary to combat the COVID-19 health crisis. It’s vital that we do what we can to help them reopen responsibly and bring vibrancy back to our city. That’s what this grant program aims to do,” Chris Kershner, executive vice president, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce said in a statement.
Sandra Gudorf, president of the Downtown Dayton Partnership, said “Our service industry businesses alone represent thousands of jobs, not to mention the fact that having such a unique collection of locally owned businesses makes downtown Dayton a desirable place to live and work. These small businesses are crucial to the long-term success of our city.”
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