COVID-19 Virus - City of Willowick

Spray Park & Playgrounds Information
The Willowick Recreation Dept. has opened its playgrounds and they will be cleaned once a day. As we continue to practice social distancing, at this time we are asking that you take on the responsibility for masks, hand washing, and sanitizing while using the playground equipment.

Our Spray Park will be opening on Wednesday June 17 and operate daily from 10:00am-8:00pm, weather permitting. This is available for Willowick residents only, for children up to 10 years old with a valid Recreation ID card. Hours for the Recreation Dept. are Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm to purchase your Recreation ID Card with a current utility bill. Due to state guidelines, the capacity will be limited to 35 occupants at one time.

County Commissioners vote to use extra CARE Act funds to support small businesses
The federal CARE Act has proved a provision for counties to receive extra funds within their Community Block Grant Program, above their normal allocation. Lake County Commissioners determined that the best use of these additional funds is to support small businesses by offering two funding programs, one being a micro-business (5 or less employees) grant and the second a small business (25 or less employees) loan. The program overview and application page are now available at the following link: https://lakecounty-erlf.webflow.io/.

Pre-registration for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) now available in Ohio
Beginning today, Ohioans who are unemployed as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic but who DO NOT qualify for regular unemployment benefits can begin pre-registering for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), a new federal program that covers many more categories of workers. The pre-registration tool will allow individuals to get in line early and pre-register their account, so that as soon as the agency has the technical ability to process their claims in May, they can log in and complete their paperwork.

This program will provide benefits to the following categories of workers:

Those who were self-employed, worked part-time, or do not otherwise qualify for regular unemployment benefits and fit one of the categories below
Those unable to reach their place of employment because of quarantine
Those unable to reach their place of employment because they have been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine
Those whose place of employment is closed because of COVID-19
Those who were scheduled to start work but who no longer have a job because of COVID-19
Those who have been diagnosed with COVID-19
Those with a household member who has been diagnosed with COVID-19
Those providing care to a family or household member with COVID-19
Those with primary caregiving responsibilities for children or others who are unable to attend school or another facility due to COVID-19

To pre-register for PUA benefits, Ohioans should visit unemployment.ohio.gov and click on “Get Started Now.” The benefit amount will be similar to traditional unemployment benefits, plus an additional $600 per week through July 25. The pre-registration tool will allow individuals to get in line early and pre-register their account, so that as soon as the agency has the technical ability to process their claims in May, they can log in and complete their paperwork.

For those eligible, PUA benefits will be retroactive to the date they qualified, as early as February 2. The program will provide up to 39 weeks of benefits to many who historically have not qualified for unemployment benefits, such as self-employed workers, 1099 tax filers, part-time workers, and those who lack sufficient work history. Individuals who have exhausted all regular unemployment and any weekly extensions also may be eligible for the program. Anyone with questions should call (833) 604-0774.

TAKE OUT TUESDAY – Supporting our local businesses during the coronavirus
In an effort to support out local businesses during this challenging time, Lake County Mayors, Managers and local leaders are encouraging residents to make Tuesdays “Take Out Tuesday.” Many of our local businesses are adapting their services and their hours to serve us. The Willowick Restaurant And Businesses Information sheet provides a list of many of those restaurants and businesses. Give yourself a break and order out!

City Meetings
Board and Commission meetings are being conducted virtually at this time. Information about how to login to each meeting is available on the Government/Boards & Commissions web page. Information for logging into City Council meetings is available on the Government/City Council web page.

Help available for small businesses through the Ohio Small Business Administration
The Ohio Small Business Administration has a relief program available for small businesses. The SBA strongly encourages applicants to use the online forms. The template below can be used to prepare. This application is open to small businesses and private non-profits only.

SBA Disaster Assistance Resources For Businesses
SBA Webinar Material-Coronavirus 03
SBA ELA0-Business Loan Application (SBA 5)

The highlights of the program include:

* Loans up to $2 million

* Interest rate 3.73% fixed for small businesses, 2.75% fixed for non-profits

* Repayment terms up to 30 years

* 4 month repayment deferment

*Loans up to $25,000 require no collateral. Over $25,000 the SBA will seek collateral in most cases

*If loan request is over $25,000 but business needs emergency funding, up to $25,000 can be disbursed while waiting for collateral filings

*This is not a grant nor are there grants available

The SBA Small Business Resource Center is available for assistance in helping businesses with these forms. You will need to register with the Small Business Development Center first, then they will follow up.

Direct link to counseling: https://clients.ohiosbdc.ohio.gov/reg.aspx?mode=counsel&center=17082&subloc=0