Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and business groups are pooling resources to help Downtown shops vandalized in the wake of demonstrations last month. The money will help businesses make up for losses insurance doesn鈥檛 cover.
Applications are due by the end of business on Tuesday, . As of Monday morning, 38 businesses had applied, Downtown Cleveland Alliance CEO Joe Marinucci told Cuyahoga County鈥檚 Board of Control.
鈥淎nd that might grow as the week goes on,鈥� Marinucci said. 鈥淏ut again, we do think that given the resources and the amount of damages 鈥� by the way, the damages are still being calculated by the applicants 鈥� we should have the resources to help them.鈥�
The city is considering around $1 million in help, according to county officials. The county board of control approved $100,000 in aid Monday.
Private funders are contributing, too. The Greater Cleveland Partnership will add between $40,000 and $100,000 to the fund, and DCA has committed $50,000, according to the county. The Cleveland Foundation is also reviewing a request for funding.
to protest the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and other deaths of black people at the hands of law enforcement.
Officers used pepper spray, tear gas and flash grenades at the Justice Center after some demonstrators threw water bottles and produce. Groups of people , some taking merchandise from stores.
Initial estimates put the total damage between $1.5 million and $3.5 million, with around 75 businesses or properties affected, county officials told the board of control in a series of written answers to questions about Monday鈥檚 agenda items.
At Monday鈥檚 meeting, board members sought to clarify that the business assistance was meant for smaller local companies, not large chains with a Downtown presence.
鈥淲e are not going to be assisting banks, or insurance companies, or Starbucks, or the Indians or the casino?鈥� Republican Councilwoman Nan Baker asked. 鈥淲e are specifically going to address small business owners and minority- and female-owned businesses?鈥�
Marinucci concurred.
County development staff will sit on the committee reviewing applications. Businesses must provide copies of their insurance claims in order to receive county funds.
The county鈥檚 contribution was originally set at $400,000, but the board of control dropped it to $100,000. County council or the board of control could consider adding more money once the program gets started, council legislative budget advisor Trevor McAleer said.
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