New Middletown loan program aims to help small businesses stay afloat in pandemic

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — As the COVID-19 pandemic continues into its ninth month, many federal funds aimed at helping small business owners have dried up and those local businesses are searching for more assistance. As a result, Middletown is now working to provide thousands of dollars in forgivable micro-loans for local entrepreneurs.

Initial PPP loans helped many local businesses stay on top of bills and rent over the summer, but as the pandemic stretches into the fall and winter months, entrepreneurs need a new form of aid to keep going.

"For us, being a more upscale restaurant, take out wasn’t the easiest pivot and it didn’t make a lot of sense for us," said Ami Vitori, owner of Gracie's Restaurant in Middletown. She was able to gain a PPP loan initially, but is now searching for a plan to keep moving forward.

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