The City of Mentor has established the Mentor Small Business Employee Retention (Bridge the Gap) Program to assist small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides grant funds to Mentor-based businesses that retain or create a low-to-moderate income (LMI) position as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“We refer to this as the ‘Bridge the Gap’ loan because it’s intended to help small business keep afloat between now and when the economy fully reopens, and normal business activities return,” says Kenneth J. Filipiak, Mentor City Manager, “The City is particularly concerned with retaining small businesses, which clearly have been the most vulnerable during the pandemic, because they are such a vital component in the diversity of our local economy.”
In order to qualify, applicants must be a Mentor-based business, retain(ed) or create(d) at least one LMI position, have between 3 – 40 employees, and had remained open through the pandemic. Other eligibility requirements apply. Qualifying companies can receive a maximum reimbursement of $1,000 through the program.
“The City of Mentor has constantly explored new avenues to assist our business community with the devastating challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Kevin Malecek, Director of Economic Development & International Trade, “ The Bridge the Gap grant program provides Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars to small business impacted by COVID-19, but simultaneously able to create or retain jobs for those people with low-to-moderate incomes. It’s another way the City has tried to step up and do what we can to provide resources to our business backbone.”
The Bridge the Gap Program is managed through the City of Mentor Planning and Development Department. The application form is posted online at www.mentormeansbusiness.com and can be submitted for consideration via email after 9:00 AM on Friday, April 23, 2021. Applications submitted prior to that time will not be accepted. Applications will be reviewed, verified, and funds distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Questions regarding the program can be directed to business@cityofmentor.com or (440) 974-5740.