The City of Akron has set aside a portion to provide grants and assistance to support safely reopening hotels and motels located in Akron, Ohio that are located in Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs). This grant is restricted to independently owned and franchised hotel and motels, that, due to COVID, were forced to shut down for more than seven days, with at least 25 units available to clients on a year-round basis.
Applications Have Closed
ARPA-SLFRF Eligibility – Does the project meet the federal guidelines laid out in ARPA-State and Local Federal Relief Fund? Was your hotel operating prior to the pandemic? Was your hotel then closed after March 11, 2020 for more than seven days during the pandemic and faced reopening costs?
Hotel Classification – Is your business a hotel pursuant to section 3731.01 of the Ohio Revised Code? "Hotel" means a transient hotel, extended stay hotel, or residential hotel. Click here to view Ohio Revised Code.
Location – Is your hotel located and operate within on of Akron’s Qualified Census Tract area? A Qualified Census Tract (QCT) is any census tract (or equivalent geographic area defined by the Census Bureau) in which at least 50% of households have an income less than 60% of the Area Median Gross Income. Click here to view QCT's.
ARPA-SLFRF Eligibility – Does the project meet the federal guidelines laid out in ARPA-State and Local Federal Relief Fund? Was your hotel operating prior to the pandemic? Was your hotel then closed after March 11, 2020 for more than seven days during the pandemic and faced reopening costs?
A completed Akron Hotel Reopening Grant Program application
Financial documentation consistent with the application guidance (i.e., refer to application financial request)
Any additional relevant documents regarding the reopening and/or demonstrate the need caused by the pandemic or otherwise requested by the City.
Funding from grants awarded by this program may only be used to support reopening of the hotel or strengthen the hotels ability to sustain operations following reopening. Examples of eligible expenses are limited to the following:
Rent or mortgage costs for the hotel location
Payroll and benefits
Utility costs for the hotel location
Investments to meet reopening guidelines, such as purchasing PersonalProtective Equipment (PPE) and other workplace improvements directly relatedto mitigating the spread of COVID-19
Remote access equipment and connectivity, such as computers, software,printers, and/or online meeting platforms for employers to enhance social distancing.
A grant recipient must sign an agreement developed by the City of Akron agreeing to terms, which certify the validity of all eligibility information provided and attests that the recipient will maintain records and documentation of all expenditures associated with their award. A penalty for non-compliance will be included in the agreement.
A grant recipient is responsible for ensuring the award funds are not used for ineligible purposes, and there is no fraud, waste, and abuse associated with the Akron Hotel Reopening award.
A grant recipient must implement internal controls and effective monitoring to ensure compliance in a manner consistent with the program objectives and terms and conditions of the award.
The award recipient shall maintain financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to the award in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles formally prescribed by the United States to sufficiently substantiate charges to this award. Accounting records that are supported by documentation shall at a minimum be adequate to show all costs incurred under the award, receipt, and use of goods and services acquired under the award, the costs of the program supplied from other sources, and the overall progress of the program.
The City of Akron shall retain the right to conduct a financial review, require an audit, or otherwise ensure adequate accountability of organizations expending City funds regardless of the audit requirement.
Applications will be accepted until August 31, 2022.
