Grant and Loan Resources

Department of Community and Economic Development

Home Departments Department of Community and Economic DevelopmentGrant and Loan Resources

Grant and Loan Resources

The Geauga County Revolving Loan Fund is a program that was created to provide gap financing to qualified businesses. The Fund provides direct loans at below prime interest rates on a portion of a project that enables companies to acquire conventional financing or other financing on the remainder of the project. The primary goal of the Revolving Loan Fund is to create long term, permanent jobs that the majority (51%) is taken by or made available to low and moderate-income County households. For each $25,000 loaned, one job must be created within two years of project completion. RLF funds shall not exceed 50% of the total project cost and a minimum of 10% owner equity is required for each expansion and up to 25% for a business startup. Since inception in 1983, over 80 loans have been made with the smallest being $3,000 and the largest $500,000. Click the link below to learn more about the Geauga County Revolving Loan Fund.

Community & Economic Development administers several different grants for Geauga County, each with their own criteria. Choose a link below to learn more about Community Development Block Grant Small Cities Program (CDBG), Demolition & Revitalization grant or Brownfield Remediation grant.

Financial Assistance Program for Geauga Businesses

Geauga Revolving Loan Fund

Business RLF Application

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Affidavit in Compliance with Section 3517.13 of the Ohio Revised Code

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DMA Form: Government Business and Funding Contracts

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Form W9: Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification

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Check out the Geauga County Revolving Loan Fund publication which recognizes the 25th Anniversary of this program. Many accomplishments are noted with some valuable information about our services.

The Geauga County Revolving Loan Fund is a program created to provide Gap Financing to qualified businesses and is administered by the Geauga County Department of Community & Economic Development.

The Revolving Loan Fund provides direct loans at below prime interest rates on a portion of a project to enable companies to acquire conventional financing or other financing on the remainder of the project.

The RLF program will consider all projects of merit which create long-term, permanent jobs. The RLF Program can be used for new businesses and expansions. The loan term cannot exceed terms of the primary lending source. The Revolving Loan Fund program can be used in combination with the SBA 504 program and the State “166” program to fill the gap created by insufficient owner equity and private financing.

A major purpose of the Revolving Loan Program is to create jobs in the community. For each $25,000.00 loaned, one job must be created for a Geauga County resident within two years of project completion.

Priority is given to companies that create more long-term, permanent jobs. Under special circumstances, companies moving into the county that retain jobs will also be considered for a Revolving Loan.

A majority (51%) of the jobs created or retained must be taken by or made available to low and moderate-income County households. The types of jobs suited to the target population include semi-skilled or unskilled, manufacturing, industrial or commercial requiring minimal education and prior work experience. The RLF is not meant to be the primary lending source. All RLF projects must leverage a minimum ratio of one private sector dollar to one RLF dollar. The RLF portion shall not exceed 50% of the total project cost. A minimum of 10% owner equity is required for each expansion project and up to 25% for a business start-up.

The Revolving Loan Fund began in 1983. To date, over 80 loans have been made, the smallest being $3,000.00 and the largest $500,000.00.

The RLF has loaned to a variety of businesses:

Barber salon
Diamond cutter
Restaurants
Hardware store
Cheese maker
Cabinet maker
Landscapers
Auto parts manufacturer
Manufacturers
Veterinary clinic
Medical facility
Livestock facility
Various plastics/rubber/polymer companies

The maximum loan is dependent upon the amount of RLF dollars available. Mortgages may be prepaid without penalty.

The loan must be secured by a mortgage, and/or a purchase money security interest, a Participation Agreement, a Security Agreement and Personal Guaranty.

Information Needed for Review

Three years historical financial information

Three years projected financial information
Interim financial information
Personal financial statements
Resumes
Description of business and project
Cost estimates for project
Letter of commitment from participating bank

Depending on the project, other information may be required.

Community Development Block Grant Small Cities Program

Community Development

There are two types of programs that exist under the CDBG program, (1) An annual grant allocation to the County (Formula grant) and (2) competitive programs (ie CHIP, HOME, Downtown Revitalization, New Horizons, Economic Development, etc.)

The “Formula” Grant

The County receives annual funds based on a formula used to determine its allocation, which takes into account population, per capita income, and the local unemployment rate. Each funding year, Geauga County is informed of its allocation (usually around $200,000-$250,000). The County Commissioners then select projects to be funded based on local officials’ and citizens’ input and requests. The Community & Economic Development staff prepares the Formula application, informing the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) how the County proposes to use the funds. The staff administers and monitors projects by securing engineering or architectural services, bidding and contracting for construction services, and ensuring that local, state, and federal regulations are followed.

Each year the Commissioners receive many more funding requests than can be funded with Formula allocation. It is therefore important that the projects to be carried out are selected carefully, taking into consideration both short and long range plans, for orderly and realistic development and redevelopment. As a part of that process, a community needs assessment (CAS) is carried out for each community assisted with federal dollars.

Examples of Past Formula Projects:

Chardon Municipal Center elevator, Burton Village sidewalks, Montville Day Care Center rehabilitation, County Home egresses, Lavrich Youth Home construction, Century Village ADA parking lot, Great Geauga County Fair ADA parking and Grandstand ADA seating, Chagrin Falls Park demolitions, Huntsburg Townhall ADA elevator, Parkman sewer project, Troy Community Center elevator, Newbury’s Restful Lake Community Center rehabilitation, Claridon Townhall ADA rehabilitation, Metzenbaum ADA rehabilitation, Habitat for Humanity new housing construction, Ravenwood Mental Health facility sidewalks and rehabilitation, Pleasant Hill County Home rehabilitation, Das Deutsch Center, Geauga Lyric Theater rehabilitation, Thompson Township demolition, Patterson Center, Ravenwood Water Tower, Senior Center rehabilitation, Transit purchase of van, Farmland Preservation plan, County Comprehensive Plan, County Economic Development Plan, CHIS plan, Middlefield Senior Center construction, and many more.

The Community & Economic Development Department sends the Formula application to all townships, cities, and villages usually by April of each year. Applications may also be sent to area non-profit organizations and agencies.

Applications are made for the following year. All projects must be completed before December 31st of that year.

Selection of projects is at the discretion of the Geauga County Board of Commissioners who consider the benefit to the community and county, benefit to low to moderate income populations or special populations (MR/DD, Seniors, Disabled, etc.), public safety, grants received by the entity in the past, project feasibility, in-kind funds and cash provided by the entity to the project and the amount of funds available.

Formula Project Eligibility

Funds may be used to address the needs of low to moderate income (LMI) persons or special populations.

LMI is determined by the 2000 census. The census tract must indicate a population of great that 50% LMI persons. If the area does not indicate LMI the community may under take a door to door income survey. The development office staff can assist the community in this endeavor.

If the area is LMI the community may use the funds for a variety of purposes including; rehabilitation of community centers, street improvements, sidewalk and curb construction, sewer or water line construction, storm drainage, park and recreation improvements, childcare facilities, transportation services, senior centers, schools, youth centers, health centers, parking facilities, fire protection services and libraries.

These activities are also possible if addressed to a special population, such as the elderly or MR/DD persons.

If the community or organizations does not have a 51% LMI population they may use the funds to rehabilitate buildings that do not meet ADA requirements or eliminate slum & blight.

Eligibility Questionnaire

Is your community in a 51% LMI census tract?
If so, you are eligible to apply for the following activities: rehabilitation of community center, street improvements, sidewalk and curb construction, sewer or water line construction, storm drainage, park and recreation improvements, childcare facilities, transportation services, senior centers, schools, youth centers, health centers, parking facilities, fire protection services and libraries.

If not, do you believe a door to door income survey of your community would prove 51% LMI?
If so, we will provide you with the survey forms and format for the survey.

If your community is not LMI and would not survey as LMI, the following are eligible projects:

Demolition of unsafe structures
Rehabilitation of public buildings to meet ADA requirements

Geauga County CDBG Formula Application

Please contact us with any questions about your project.

CDBG Workshop Recording – 4/15/21

Geauga County to Accept Applications for State Demo Grant

Demolition and Revitalization Grant

The Ohio Department of Development has announced round two of the Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program. The application process will begin October 31, 2023 and final applications will be due no later than February 15, 2024.

This program provides $150 million with a $500,000 set-aside per county throughout the State of Ohio for the demolition of commercial and residential buildings and revitalization of surrounding properties.

Blighted, vacant, or abandoned structures are eligible for demolition. Commercial and residential buildings on sites that are not brownfields are eligible properties. To learn more and to see if your project is viable for these program dollars please visit: https://development.ohio.gov/community/redevelopment/building-demolition-site-revitalization-program.