Staff report

Mahoning County-area businesses now may apply for a grant intended to help them recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Ogden Newspapers Inc., parent company of The Vindicator, has established a $1 million fund to help local businesses get back to full strength by subsidizing local marketing efforts through matching advertising dollars.

“We know businesses and workers here are hurting; we’re hurting, too,” Vindicator Publisher Charles Jarvis said. “But if we can pull together as a community, we can weather this. Here at The Vindicator, we want to do everything we can to help everyone get through the pandemic and get back to work. With these matching grants, we can help local businesses tell their story as they rebuild.”

Businesses operating in the Youngstown and Mahoning County market may apply for a grant of up to $15,000 today at ogdennews.com/community-grant. Applicants will receive a response to their application within one to two business days.

The fund is open to all locally owned and operated businesses impacted by the coronavirus, Jarvis explained, whether or not they are current Vindicator advertisers. Grant money may be used for local print and online advertising in The Vindicator and on www.vindy.com between April 1 and June 30,2020.

Sarah Boyarko, chief operating officer for the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber, said while companies are experiencing challenges and frustrations, she also is seeing resilience and cooperation throughout the community.

Companies are adjusting their approach as needed during the economic slowdown triggered by reactions to COVID-19.

“All of these things are extremely frustrating, but as a community, there is a noticeable coming together and resiliency around the situation,” Boyarko said.

She added advertising is important because “not everyone has that disposable income for marketing during a typical economy, let alone now.”

“A community newspaper is only as strong as the community it serves,” said Robert Nutting, CEO of Ogden Newspapers. “As a family-owned business operating for almost 130 years, we have learned that the only way to pull through the hard times is to stand with your partners and customers. We are proud to offer this assistance to the local businesses that form the backbone of the communities where we publish.”

For more information and to apply, visit ogdennews.com/community-grant

Ogden Newspapers operates more than 40 daily newspapers across the country, plus a number of weekly newspapers and a magazine division.

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