CADIZ — Small businesses throughout Harrison County will receive some financial relief after the county announced $120,000 in grant funding for dozens of local businesses in the county.

The Harrison County Board of Commissioners announced the 24 recipients for the first round of the county’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Small Business Relief Grant Program during Wednesday’s meeting.

Commissioner Paul Coffland said county Auditor Allison Anderson met with the CARES Committee earlier this week to review the list of potential grant recipients. The committee approved all 24 applicants including EZ Tom’s Auto, The Cadiz Country Club, Coffma’s Lawn Care, Finney Tire, Class Act Hair Design, The Old School Bar and Catering, Capraro’s Restaurant and Lounge, Abacus Business & Tax Service, The Raider, Cadiz Vision Center, Cardinal Sales and Service, Amanda’s Dance Academy, Clark-Kirkland-Barr Funeral Home, Vineyard 22 Winery, Vintage Fitness of Cadiz, Luddy Lawn, Valie Lanes, Old 22 Enterprise, 1953 Leasing, S&W Hair Studio, JD Bowling Lanes, The Restaurant, Blackie’s Garage, and Peg’s Diner.

Coffland said there are a few additional businesses whose applications are still pending.

“So that number could go up a little bit,” he said.

Commissioners Don Bethel, Dale Norris and Coffland unanimously approved all of the small business applicants for the grant funding. Each business will be awarded a $5,000 grant through the relief program, which is meant to alleviate some of the financial burden caused by the coronavirus pandemic, a total of $120,000.

The program, which opened early last month in the county, provides funding for businesses with 30 employees or less. The deadline for applications was Oct. 31.

“I appreciate the auditor’s work on this. … She’s the one who got the applications ready and she’s the one who’s doing the grant agreement form and handling all of those things. This has all been on a very tight timeline, she’s done an excellent job,” Coffland said.

The county opted to use its excess funding from the CARES Act to provide the grants to aid small businesses that have experienced business interruption due to the pandemic.

Coffland said there is additional grant funding available for businesses in need of financial assistance due to the pandemic.

“We went through the small business county awards … there are a couple of additional opportunities for businesses in Harrison County,” he said.

The Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund offers assistance to on-premise liquor permit holders who have been impacted by the pandemic. Coffland said the grant funding is offered through the Ohio Development Services Agency. The grant provides $2,500 in funding per business location.

Those interested in applying may do so through businesshelp.ohio.gov.

Additionally, through the same funding source, the Small Business Relief Grant assists businesses in the estate that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. The grant provides businesses with up to $10,000 in funding.

Both grant sources provide CARES Act funding to businesses throughout Ohio.

“I’m certain that every bar and restaurant in Harrison County was affected (by the pandemic), because they were initially shut down,” he said. “We encourage everyone in the county to please go out and do what you can do to try to recoup some of your losses.”

The commission’s next meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday due to Wednesday being Veteran’s Day.