COLUMBUS — At his news conference on Tuesday, Gov. Mike DeWine spoke of economic aid for southeast Ohio during the coronavirus pandemic.

“One of the great assets we have in Ohio is Jobs Ohio — I’ve asked them to think about how they can be value-added when this is over,” he said. “I’ve asked the board to think of ways they can help our economy.”
DeWine said Jobs Ohio is announcing that it is providing a $2 million growth fund loan to Appalachian Growth Capital, or AGC.

“This announcement is part of JobsOhio’s new strategic initiative to provide more economic development funds to areas of Ohio hardest hit by the economy,” DeWine said. “AGC provides small business financing in the 32-Appalachian Counties of eastern and southern Ohio. It works with local and regional banks, as well as secondary lenders to support businesses in the region.”

DeWine said the investment is a long-term, low interest loan “that will boost AGC’s ability to provide low interest funding to businesses in the Appalachian community.”

“This partnership comes at a critical time when Appalachian Growth Capital is working to help more small companies in Appalachian Ohio with financing during this economically difficult time,” DeWine said.