Workforce and Small Business Development

The Historically Disadvantaged Microenterprise Loan Program offers small, for-profit businesses forgivable financing. This program serves minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, and disabled-owned businesses operating in the city of Lima. Businesses may apply for this one-year, forgivable loan, at an interest rate of zero percent, for up to $5,000 in funding.

Please email the completed application form to Amber Martin at amber.martin@cityhall.lima.oh.us. 

Eligibility*

1. The business must have five (5) or fewer employees.
2. At least one owner must have total household income below 80% of the median income. 
3. The business must be within the city limits of Lima.
4. Business must be for-profit.
5. Business must have been in operation for at least six months and have made at least ten thousand dollars in revenue.

*Additional eligibility details on application and borrower must pass underwriting.

The Small Business Revolving Loan Program is a loan for micro businesses operating in the city of Lima. For-profit businesses can apply for up to $5,000 in funding. The loan can be used for equipment, inventory, necessary fixed assets, and business improvements.

Please email the completed application form to Amber Martin at amber.martin@cityhall.lima.oh.us.

Eligibility*

1. The business must have five (5) or fewer employees.
2. The applicant must be the business owner and over the age of 18.
3. The business must be within the city limits of Lima.
4. Business must be for-profit.

*Additional eligibility details on application and borrower must pass underwriting.

The Small Business Facade Loan is a matching loan aimed to improve the exterior or curb appeal of business properties in Lima.  This is a competitive loan with priority given to areas of blight, high traffic, and group projects.  The dollar-for-dollar matching loan provides funds up to $5,000.

Please email the completed application form to Amber Martin at amber.martin@cityhall.lima.oh.us.

Eligibility*

1. The applicant must be the property owner and over the age of 18.
2. The building must be within the city limits of Lima, and have a street facing entrance.
3. Businesses can be for-profit or non-profit.
4. The applicant must have matching funds of no less than 50% of the amount requested in the application.

*Additional eligibility details on application and borrower must pass underwriting.

The Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant offers up to $5,000 on a first-come-first-serve basis to businesses that have suffered a loss of at least $5,000 or more during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Please email the completed application form to Amber Martin at amber.martin@cityhall.lima.oh.us. 

Eligibility*

1. The business must have five (5) or fewer employees.
2. At least one (1) employee must have a total household income below 80% of the median income. 
3. The business must be within the city limits of Lima.

*Additional eligibility details on application and borrower must pass underwriting.

Better Blocks for Business is a grant program offered by the City of Lima in partnership with the Lima Community Improvement Corporation, aimed at helping Lima neighborhood businesses along commercial corridors that are located in historically distressed and underserved neighborhoods. 

Projects will be selected based on their ability to significantly impact efforts to stabilize and revitalize neighborhoods. This will be measured through the project's ability to: create jobs, reduce blight, increase neighborhood retail opportunities, and preserve/improve structures in our community to enhance the city's vitality.

Program Criteria:

• Applicants must be property owners and/or business tenants operating in eligible commercial areas. More specifically, commercial building units located on main thoroughfares within eligible areas in the City of Lima (excluding downtown).
• Buildings with vacancies are required to provide a marketing plan that demonstrates their intention to actively market the property for commercial, industrial, or mixed-uses; a letter of intent from a business to occupy the space; or a statement of self-occupancy by the building owner.
• Applicants must demonstrate the proposed project would not be financially feasible if limited only to real estate tax incentives or other available programs.
• Projects in neighborhoods that have received relatively less public and private investment and can show the ability to commence in 30 days following an award will be prioritized.
• Grants vary depending on the cost to implement the exterior commercial façade  improvements, but will not exceed $15,000 per business site.

Eligible Expenses:

• Building façade materials (i.e. brick, siding, or decorative features)
• Windows & doors
• Gutters & downspouts
• Stairs
• Ramps
• Sidewalks on private property
• Exterior lighting
• Exterior painting
• Signage upgrades or awning installations
• Exterior cameras
• Other exterior improvements

Complete the application and review the list of eligible areas within the City of Lima, then submit the completed application to Amber Martin at amber.martin@cityhall.lima.oh.us. 

Lima Creates is a program that assists Lima's practicing artists in creating work that develops their craft and elevates their careers while also adding to the cultural vitality of the City of Lima. Lima Creates supports artists across all artistic disciplines including film and media arts, literary arts, music, performing arts including theatre and dance, and visual arts and design. Funds can be used for the creation, development, presentation of artwork, and/or professional development. Awards can range from $500 to $1,000 with priority given to projects created by residents of community areas that have been historically under-resourced, including low to moderate-income census tracts.

Please email the completed application to Amber Martin at amber.martin@cityhall.lima.oh.us. 

Lima Presents is a competitive program for nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. The program provides funding assistance to support the presentation of free arts programming in Lima while bolstering the local creative economy. Established and emerging cultural presenters are invited to submit proposals for indoor or outdoor events across artistic disciplines that will occur anytime in 2023 or 2024. Lima Presents funding aims to support free, live, in-person public events, including festivals, series, art fairs, and block parties, spanning all genres that enhance Lima’s arts and culture scene. Events in a broad range of arts and culture disciplines are eligible, including music, dance, theater, literary arts, film and media arts, visual arts/design, or a combination across disciplines are encouraged. Proposals to enhance existing events or to provide new events are both eligible. Grant amounts range from $250 - $750 with consideration given to the size of the event. Projects with matching funds will be given preference.

Please email the completed application to Amber Martin at amber.martin@cityhall.lima.oh.us.