SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF GRANTS STILL AVAILABLE IN 13 COUNTIES
There are some Ohio counties where there are still Small Business Relief Grant of $10,000 available. To be eligible for funding, small for-profit businesses must have at least one, but no more than 25 Ohio employees, paid via W2 wages as of Jan. 1, 2020. Funds have been set aside for 50 businesses in each of Ohio’s 88 counties, and businesses have until Nov. 23 to apply. After that, remaining funds for that county will be shifted to the larger pool of money to be distributed throughout the state.
Learn more, and apply here.
The following counties have grants available as of last night: Wyandot, Carroll, Morgan, Brown, Morrow, Monroe, Fayette, Noble, Adams, Hardin, Preble, Harrison and Vinton.
ONLY A THIRD OF ON-PREMISE LIQUOR LICENSE HOLDERS HAVE APPLIED FOR RELIEF
As of yesterday, the Governor said only about a third of on-premise liquor license holders have taken advantage of the Ohio Bars and Restaurants $2,500 relief payment. Remember, this payment is not reserved just for bars and restaurants. Hotels, meeting venues, attractions and others who have on-premise liquor licenses are eligible. Learn more here.
NONPROFIT RELIEF GUIDELINES ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE
On Oct. 23, the Governor announced a relief program for 501(c)3 organizations. This program is to be administered by Ohio Job and Family Services, but no guidelines are available as of this morning. The Ohio Travel Association continues to reach out to the state for updates.
ARTS AND CULTURE RELIEF IS AVAILABLE TO THOSE ALREADY RECEIVING OPERATING ASSISTANCE FROM OHIO ARTS COUNCIL - PLEASE APPLY ANYWAY TO SHOW NEED
An additional $20 million of relief is being made available to help arts and cultural institutions. This relief is being administered through the Ohio Arts Council and is restricted to those who already receive government operating support through the Ohio Arts Council. If you are not eligible, please complete the application anyway so we can continue to identify the need. This initial process does not appear to be a long one, so please complete their worksheet.
EXPANSION OF PPP AND OTHER FEDERAL RELIEF TO BE PURSUED DURING LAME DUCK CONGRESSIONAL SESSION
Through the COVID RELIEF NOW Coalition, the Ohio Travel Association continues to work with U.S. Travel to push Congressional action on new relief. The top priorities are expansion of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to destination marketing organizations, the extension of the PPP to the end of 2021 and a second draw on PPP for the hardest-hit businesses. More relief is needed for businesses of all sizes due to government shutdowns, government-imposed capacity limits and the impact of the coronavirus on demand. Your activation has never been more important. When we reach out to you in the next few days, it is not only important that you take action immediately. It’s also vital that you share the information with your partners, vendors and networks.
OHIO TOURISM INDUSTRY LOSSES CONTINUE TO CLIMB, APPROACHES $12 BILLION
Based on Tourism Economics weekly tracking of traveler spending, Ohio has lost $11.7 billion in traveler spending since March. This is 43% less spending compared to last year. Ohio lost $251 million the week ending Nov. 7, which is 9% worse than the losses endured the week ending Oct. 31.
As of Nov. 7, this loss in business has resulted in a loss of $737 million in federal tax receipts, $344 million in lost state tax receipts and $203 million less for local governments.
NEW PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS TO BE ISSUED FOCUSED ON RETAIL MASK COMPLIANCE AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS
Governor Mike DeWine addressed the State of Ohio this week. He emphasized the importance of all businesses complying with mask wearing and social distancing. Faced with rising infection rates, he announced the following new rules for Ohio retail businesses that will be incorporated into a new mask-wearing order.
An additional order places new restrictions on social activities, such as weddings and funerals. As the new order has not been released, we do not know specifics, but the following details about the order were mentioned by the governor this week:
If the current trend of rising cases continues, he said the state will be forced to close restaurants, bars and fitness centers. He said they will look at this one week from Thursday.
Neither of these public health orders have been released by the State of Ohio at the time of this writing. As they are released, the Ohio Travel Association will provide more information and links to the orders on this page.
MEETING PLANNER RFPS CONTINUE TO DECLINE, HALF NOT PLANNING TO BOOK FUTURE BUSINESS TILL AT LEAST Q2 2021
Key findings from iMeet findings released Nov. 8:
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES OF ALL KINDS ARE TRUSTED SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND MUST CONTINUE TO EMBRACE DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT TO ENTICE VISITORS AND DELIVER ON THEIR MISSIONS
Key museum and attraction updates from Colleendilen.com:
MASKS PREFERRED IN TRAVEL ADS, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND EVENTS SAFETY PROTOCOLS MOST IMPORTANT TO TRAVELERS, HOW VACCINE WILL IMPACT TRAVEL SAFETY PERCEPTIONS
Key findings from Destination Analysts fielded Nov. 6-8:
TRAVEL SENTIMENT DECREASES EVEN THOUGH COMFORT LEVEL ABOUT FEELING SAFE TRAVELING OUTSIDE THEIR COMMUNITIES SHOWS SOME IMPROVEMENT
Key findings from a Longwoods International survey fielded Nov. 4: