Post-meeting release 12/3

Commissioners receive positive CARES Act reports from TSEP, GLCAP
Rural businesses receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID-19 assistance

[Tiffin, OH Dec. 3, 2020] – The Seneca County Board of Commissioners heard positive reports from Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership and Great Lakes Community Action Partnership Thursday morning concerning grants awarded to assist residents, businesses and nonprofits to help deal with the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The commissioners previously committed about $1.25 million to five area agencies to help those negatively affected by the health crisis. The funds were allocated to Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership, Fostoria Economic Development Corp., Great Lakes Community Action Partnership, Tiffin-Seneca United Way and Seneca County Department of Job and Family Services.
On Thursday, TSEP Rural Development Manager Audrey Flood reported that 126 businesses were assisted through the county’s allocation.
Flood said local jurisdictions were invited to participate in the program, with seven entities pitching in. A total of $846,146 was made available including about $400,000 from Seneca County. The city of Tiffin contributed $241,650, while Green Springs, Bettsville and Clinton, Bloom, Hopewell, Eden and Pleasant townships also contributed CARES Act money to assist local businesses through TSEP.
The commissioners initially committed $300,000 to the program but added on nearly $100,000 more Thursday to make sure all eligible applicants were funded. Flood said 126 businesses received funding and a total of $846,146 was awarded. Disbursement is underway this week. Flood said $486,000 of the funds went to rural businesses outside of the two cities, this marks about 58 percent of the total amount.
The businesses that received help each had at least a 15-percent decline in revenue due to the pandemic. The commissioners thanked TSEP personnel for their hard work in getting the money rolled out to the organizations and businesses that needed it the most. To see Flood’s full report, visit this link.
Although the application deadline for the TSEP and FEDC programs has passed, residents may still reach out to GLCAP, Tiffin-Seneca United Way or Seneca County DJFS for information on how to apply for funding. Several programs are available, including mortgage, rent, food and utility assistance.
GLCAP President RuthAnn House also gave a brief, but positive report.
“We are doing extremely well in serving people with the Cares Act dollars,” she said. “We are estimating that by the end of this week, we will have expended all the funds (provided by the commissioners).”
The commissioners allocated $250,000 in an attempt to assist those in the community who are in need due to COVID-19.
House said she would provide a more formal report in January when figures are finalized.
In other business, the commissioners briefly previewed an upcoming meeting to be held at 7 p.m. Monday via Zoom. The meeting will be dedicated to emergency medical services discussion, and the board is expected to be joined by Joint Ambulance District leadership. You can join the meeting at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89248935920?pwd=aVZoNWszNmVzNFNwMGdvS01rMGZvUT09
Also during the meeting, the commissioners affirmed its December meeting schedule. The board plans to meet for board sessions on Dec. 10 and 17, with additional meetings scheduled for the 22nd and 29th, if needed.
During new business, the board accepted:
* Appointing Patricia Smith to the Seneca County (169) Board for Seneca County Opportunity Center.
* Authorizing Seneca County Job and Family Services to transfer TANF funds to Morrow County Job and Family Services.
* Establishing the Fiscal Year 2020 COSSAP Fund on behalf of the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office.
* A $5,000 supplemental appropriation for CARES Act money, amended to remedy a calculation error.