Access an editable "STOP" sign that can be posted to share your cleaning practices and ask people with COVID symptoms not to enter here.  

Find a link to continuously updating Best Practices for a Responsible Restart here.  

City Services/Resources

At this time, the City is fully operational and staff is continuing to meet with local companies by telephone, email, and online conferencing to discuss challenges and policy changes that are affecting various industries.  If you would like to discuss your situation further with staff, please reach out to Jennifer Patterson by email or by phone at 513-539-7374 x 1023. 

The City currently does not have any financial assistance programs for residents or businesses.  However, we are working with our affected utility customers wherever appropriate to try to reduce immediate financial burden, and we are committed to encouraging job opportunities and employee-employer connections throughout our business community.    

Additional Resources for Residents/Employees

Available Jobs -  As of June 19, Ohio no longer has a coronavirus-specific job posting website to match job seekers with available positions.  The state has moved back to directing job seekers to OhioMeansJobs.  Locally, you can also check the City of Monroe’s job board as well.  

Unemployment Through the State of Ohio - Ohio has issued a mass layoff number (2000180) for employees affected by a layoff related to COVID-19.  Despite delays in processing due to the overwhelming demand for unemployment, claims are being paid retroactively to the time that you qualified.  Visit the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services for information on how to file a claim.  The first letter of your last name now determines the day of the week that you should file your unemployment claim on.  For more details, click here.  The Frequently Asked Questions section is particularly helpful. This 41 page FAQ document may able be helpful - use the keyword search to make it more user-friendly.  

Utility Assistance - Duke Energy provides gas and electric service in Monroe.  You can reach more about their COVID-19 resources here.

Personal Financial Protection - the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s website recommends steps to take to protect your personal finances during this pandemic.  

Mental Health Support - The Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services has a website dedicated to -resources for families, schools, communities and employers.  For more immediate assistance, text  4HOPE to 741 741 or call the hotline at  1-877-275-6364.  Additionally, the CDC’s mental health/coping with stress information can be found here.  

Additional Resources for Businesses

Federal Financial Resources - The Federal government continues to rely on loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA) as the primary source of small business funding.  A comprehensive list of funding resources and trade support can be found here.  The definition of a small business under SBA guidelines varies by industry based off of annual receipts and/or number of employees.  

The three most discussed SBA programs at the moment include the Economic Disaster Injury Loan (EDIL), the 7a Loan,  the 7a Express Loan, and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).  These programs continue to change in terms of eligibility, acceptable uses of the funds, and availability of the funds.  As recently as 6/16, the PPPP and EDIL programs had been refunded and were operating under updated rules.  IF YOU WERE DENIED EDIL FUNDING EARLY IN THE COVID PROCESS, this article may help you to understand why.

All SBA programs are handled by local lending institutions (typically banks).  You should reach out to your existing bank (where you have your business or personal accounts) and ask if they are an approved SBA lender.  If they are not, you can use this search tool to find a local lender that is SBA-approved.  Due to COVID-19, many of the traditional SBA lending requirements have been waived - this includes the SBA being a lender of last resort, personal collateral, etc.  If you were previously turned down for an SBA loan, these programs could still be an opportunity in the current climate.  However, the bank is still responsible for under-writing the loan, so credit history reviews and similar underwriting elements still apply.

The Federal Reserve’s Main Street Lending Program may be another revenue source for companies who had good credit prior to the pandemic.  The program has two funding avenues - the Main Street New Loan Facility and the Main Street Expanded Loan Facility.  Just like the SBA programs, these programs are continuously being updated.  For example, in early June the Main Street Lending Program guidelines changed to better assist small and medium-sized businesses.  For more information on those changes, please read this press release.  

State Resources - In addition to the streamlined job website noted above, the State of Ohio has created the Office of Small Business Relief to coordinate information flow to small businesses.  You can be added directly to their mailing list by emailing them.

** UPDATE 6/4 ** Ohio has created the Ohio Micro-Enterprise Grant Program for small minority- and women-owned businesses.  Qualifying businesses can receive $10,000 on a first-come, first-served basis.  

Private (JobsOhio) Financial Resources - The current JobsOhio COVID-19 assistance is targeted towards companies that already have an active project with JobsOhio.  If your company is expanding into new products or looking to hire new employees because of a product or market expansion (not organic growth), please reach out to the City to be connected with JobsOhio’s resources.

Transitioning to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Manufacturing - Monroe is fortunate to have a number of strong manufacturing companies in the plastics, steel, automotive, and textile/consumer goods industries.  This handout from the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association explains Ohio’s approach to supporting employers making the transition to PPE.  By entering your company’s information into this short survey, a member of the manufacturing/engineering/healthcare support team will reach out to you to further discuss if producing PPE makes sense for you from a supply and demand perspective. 

A comprehensive list of PPE materials and parts can be found here.

** UPDATE 6/4 ** Companies that want to retool to produce PPE (or reshore their PPE-production capabilities) may be eligible for funding through Ohio’s PPE Reshoring and Retooling Grant Program.  Eligible PPE projects include making masks (surgical and/or community masks), gowns, hand sanitizer, gloves, face shields, thermometers, cleaning/sanitizing products, or similar activies as approved by the State.  There will be $20M allocated to the program with a maximum grant award of $500,000.

Workforce Resources - There are two workforce programs that can assist employers looking to offset payroll costs.  The first solution provides fairly quick payroll relief through the Office of Unemployment’s Shared Work Ohio program.  This program allows employers to reduce the hours of 2 or more employees by 10-50%, and the Office of Unemployment contributes toward the employee’s lost wages.  

The second workforce support program is TechCred.  TechCred is a longer-term program that reimburses wages after an employee completes pre-approved training that is technology-driven and results in a recognized credential.  TechCred’s enrollment period varies - please reach out to Jennifer Patterson with the City of Monroe if you’re interested in learning more about this program or possible educational providers that offer the certifications you’re looking for.  

Workplace Safety - Antibody testing kits are in high-demand as employers work towards a responsible re-opening.  Here is guidance from the Ohio Department of Health on how to avoid antibody testing kit scams.  

Companies looking to secure PPE to ensure a responsible, safe working environment may have success using the PPE Exchange.  This website functions like Craigslist - it’s a direct connection between the buyer and seller.  Please use appropriate caution and due diligence when purchasing PPE materials to ensure quality and safety.  

Additional Resources for Nonprofit and Service Organizations 

United Way Assistance - The United Way of Warren County has partnered with United Way of Butler County and others to offer grants to organizations that are focused on serving high-need populations through services such as food insecurity, housing and shelter, medical needs, child and senior care, etc.

CARES Act - The federal CARES Act (version 3, signed into law on March 27) opened up some Small Business Administration (SBA) resources to qualified nonprofit organizations.  At this time, only 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) organizations can access these resources.  This article from the National Law Review gives an overview of the CARES Act from a nonprofit perspective, while this article explains what funding programs are available these nonprofits and what their responsibilities now are regarding sick leave and similar provisions.