SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO—On Monday, March 30, 2020, Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro introduced, and Summit County Council passed, emergency legislation authorizing the creation of a COVID-19 Small Business Emergency Relief Grant Program. The program will be administered by the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce and grants will be available to Summit County small businesses who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Small businesses are the heartbeat of Summit County. While we must take the difficult but necessary precautions to fight this virus, we will also fight to make sure these businesses survive,” said Executive Shapiro. “Our hope is that the grants offered through this program will allow us to quickly get help to our local businesses and when coupled with state and federal initiatives, will provide the resources our small businesses need to make it through these difficult times.” The program will provide $5,000 grants to eligible small businesses. To be eligible, a small business must be a for-profit enterprise with its principal place of business located in Summit County.

The business must employee a minimum of three and a maximum of twenty-five individuals for at least twenty hours per week. Additionally, at least 50% of the employees must be residents of Summit County. Businesses must demonstrate a financial need and desire to continue operations by applying for a U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic and/or another SBA loan program established to support small businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Businesses approved for an SBA loan and who also meet the county’s program guidelines will be automatically approved. Businesses who are denied an SBA loan may still be approved for a grant following a review by the program’s Grant Underwriting Team. The program will conclude on December 31, 2020, or earlier if all available funds have been dispersed.

Summit County will contribute $750,000 to establish the program. The county is also encouraging our local communities, businesses, non-profits and individuals to contribute to the program with the hope of providing more than $1 million in small business assistance.

To that end, the City of Akron and JumpStart have each offered to commit $100,000 to the program and will assist with promotion to businesses in the Summit County community. “The commitment of the Executive and Summit County Council as well as the financial support of the City of Akron and JumpStart is an additional resource to help give local small businesses a fighting chance at this critical time. This program demonstrates local government’s commitment to local business success as we all navigate this new landscape,” said Steve Millard, President and CEO of the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce. “

For more information or to apply for a grant, please contact Gregg Cramer at the Greater Akron Chamber at (330) 237-1213 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Announcements from Mayor Horrigan's Office today, including the suspension of all recreation programs in the city through the end of May. There will be no city-hosted events in April or May.

Furthermore, all Lock 3 events that were scheduled for May are now officially canceled, tentatively set to resume on June 1st.

As of April 1st, the city is on a hiring freeze of all permanent, full-time employees due to the significant budget implications on account of the pandemic.

See the full press release from Mayor Dan Horrigan's office below: 

Akron, Ohio, March 31, 2020 – In continuance of the City of Akron’s commitment to doing what is necessary to protect the health and wellbeing of City residents and staff, Mayor Dan Horrigan is announcing the next wave of preparations and protective measures to reduce the local impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Without a doubt, these are challenging times, but I am confident that we will emerge from this crisis with a strengthened sense of purpose, more compassion, and clearer priorities—both as individuals and as a community,” Mayor Horrigan said. “At this time, every step we are taking is intended to help ‘flatten the curve’ and save lives. I am proud of the collaboration and coordination occurring all across our city. I promise to continue to wake up each and every morning thinking of ways to empower Akron residents with the information and resources they need to keep their families safe, healthy, and financially secure throughout this event.” 

Additional steps being announced by the City of Akron are outlined below:

 Lock 3, Recreation and Community Events:

Mayor Horrigan has suspended all recreation programming through May 31st. Therefore, no City events will take place in April or May.  Programming at Lock 3—as well as all community events that the City sponsors or issues permits for—will tentatively resume on June 1, 2020.  All future events are subject to change or cancellation, based on then-current public health orders and guidance regarding social distancing. 

“Equal access to public space and cultural recreation is an important component of any healthy and thriving community,” Deputy Mayor of Integrated Development James Hardy said. “But as we all sacrifice for the greater good, the City will be modifying its spring and summer schedules to ensure the best possible long-term public health outcomes for all those who live, work, or play in Akron.”  

City parks remain open for walking and other socially-distanced activities, but community centers and equipment (including playgrounds and basketball courts) are closed in accordance with the Ohio Stay at Home Order.  

Budget Task Force & Hiring Freeze

This week, Mayor Horrigan has convened an internal Budget Task Force to make assessments regarding the potential impact of the pandemic on City finances, and to develop recommendations for priorities and potential savings within City expenditures. The Task Force’s first recommendation was implemented immediately: the City is instituting a hiring freeze of permanent full time employees due to the significant budgetary implications of COVID-19.  The hiring freeze becomes effective April 1, 2020, and will remain in effect until further notice.  All vacant positions within the City of Akron will be reevaluated, included positions that are currently posted or those that become vacant. The hiring freeze does not apply to temporary part-time workers who work seasonally for the City and are deemed to be essential. 

At Mayor Horrigan’s direction, the Budget Task Force is also analyzing potential economic impacts of the pandemic, and creating tiered projections for budget reductions, ranging between 5% and 20%, so that the City can be prepared for a variety of possibilities. 

“This is not where any of us expected to be when we developed our 2020 budget plans,” Mayor Horrigan remarked, “But, just like so many families and businesses across the community, we now must make difficult, but responsible, decisions about where to spend available funds and whether to make new financial commitments.  Until we are able to adequately project the impact of this crisis, we must be as frugal as possible, while still providing the services that keep our neighborhoods stable and safe.”  

Modifications to Curbside Service 

Today, the City’s Public Service Department is announcing that it will be implementing cart-only service starting next week. After fulfilling all previously submitted requests for bulk pickup, the City will be pausing collection of bulk trash in order to reduce the risk to City workers who must physically lift and handle customers’ furniture, tires, and other items left on the curb.

At a time when more residents are working and staying at home, the amount of residential trash has increased. “The combination of weather days and more time at home has led many residents to undertake ‘spring cleaning’ and leave unwanted items on the curb,” Director of Public Service Chris Ludle said. “Unfortunately, this presents an increased risk to our workers.  As we focus on essential services and take steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19, we are asking residents to use only their carts to dispose of all trash and recycling in their home.” Trash and recycling carts are emptied into trucks using an electronic arm, and workers are not exposed to customer’s items during normal operation.

The City will fulfill any bulk pickup requests that have already submitted through 3-1-1, however new requests are no longer being accepted. Customers pay nothing for this service, and therefore will not see any change in their bill.  

“We thank you for your continued commitment to helping us protect the health and safety of our workers and residents,” Mayor Horrigan concluded. “Your efforts and sacrifices are deeply appreciated and are making a real difference.” 

For the most up-to-date information on the City of Akron’s proactive response to this virus, please visit www.akronohio.gov/COVID19. For information from Summit County Public Health, visit www.scph.org/covid-19 or call their hotline at (330) 926-5795.  For information regarding the State’s continuing efforts, please visit www.coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-427-5634.