Nonprofits to share in grants

by–Jerry Arkebauer

Seven not-for-profit organizations will share $5,000 in grants awarded by the Sylvania Area Community Improvement Corp., according to Tiffany Scott, chair of the SACIC Community Affairs Committee and executive director of the Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce.

“SACIC has been funding these grants for many years for organizations to help promote the mission of our nonprofit by benefiting citizens of the Sylvania area,” Scott noted. The SACIC Board of Directors approved the grants at its Feb. 9 meeting.

Scott said the purpose of the grants is to recognize new projects with measurable benefits, and not to be routine annual supporters of any program.

“SACIC now is requiring each grant recipient to provide SACIC with a written report concerning the use of the grant funds to be submitted by Oct. 31,” she explained.

Grant recipients are:

• Sylvania Area Family Services will receive $1,300 to expand its community garden to provide a greater yield of fresh fruits and vegetables for senior citizen clients and families and to enrich the learning experience for the 75 youths who participate in the SAFS Summer Enrichment Camp.

• YMCA of Greater Toledo/Sylvania JCC will receive $1,000 to help provide a low-impact course consisting of real and imaginary obstacles designed to challenge groups to work together during the Outdoor Adventure Program, which, in 2021, hosted 375 youths a week for 10 weeks.

• Sylvania Town Crier Michael Lieber will receive up to $700 for alterations to his official uniforms. Lieber has been Sylvania’s town crier for about 30 years and participates in many functions throughout Sylvania annually.

• Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce will receive $500 to assist in paying the cost of about 20 trees to be planted throughout Sylvania, one for each business that “planted roots here” during 2021. To date, the Chamber estimates that it has planted about 100 trees in the five years of the program.

• Cutting Edge Theatre Company will receive $500 to assist in paying the production costs of the live performances of “Chicago” to be held at Olander Park the weekend of March 25. Four performances are scheduled in the Nederhouser Community Hall.

• Sylvania Arts, formerly Sylvania Community Arts Commission, will receive $500 to assist in paying the fees of the conductor of the Sylvania Community Orchestra which performs nearly a half dozen free admission concerts throughout the year at sites such as the Franciscan Center at Lourdes University and Olander Park.

• Sylvania Prevention Alliance will receive $500 to help fund its Core Committed Program for students in the 6th grade through high school in Sylvania Schools to teach core values of leadership, excellence and community awareness.

All of the grant recipient organizations will be honored as part of the SACIC April 13 board meeting. All businesses that have located or expanded in the Sylvania area during 2021 will also be recognized.

Members of the SACIC Community Affairs Committee, which reviewed the applications, included Ms. Scott; Jeff Clegg, president of SACIC and Toledo Memorial Park; Craig Stough, Sylvania mayor; Oliver Turner, Sylvania Township administrator; Dr. Veronica Motley, superintendent of Sylvania Schools; and Jerry Arkebauer, past president of SACIC and president of Arkebauer & Associates. Scott, Motley and Oliver abstained from the vote on grants involving their respective organizations.

SACIC offers low-interest loans

Loans at a two percent interest rate for a five-year term are available to businesses wishing to locate, expand or remain in the Sylvania area from the Sylvania Area Community Improvement Corp., according to Steve Leamy, senior vice president and senior loan officer for Signature Bank, N.A., and chair of the SACIC loan committee.

“We have about $300,000 available to loan to companies for fixed asset projects, which improve a company’s ability to operate,” he stated.

In the past, SACIC has made loans to offset the costs of building construction or renovation, as well as for new roofs and updating parking lots.

“The maximum loan would be $50,000, with monthly repayments of principal and interest due over the five-year period. A personal guarantee normally is required in addition to collateral,” he explained.

Applications for the SACIC loan are available on the SACIC website at www.sylvaniaareacic.org.

“We want to see our available funds being put to use helping businesses in our area. SACIC wants to help,” said Jeff Clegg, president of Toledo Memorial Park and president of SACIC.

The SACIC Board of Directors recently approved the low-interest rate and five-year term for 2022 and noted that if conditions change it may consider adjusting the interest rate upward.

SACIC is a not-for-profit organization representing a collaboration of business and government working to enhance balanced economic growth and the quality of life in the greater Sylvania area. SACIC membership information is available at www.sylvaniaareacic.org.

Jerry Arkebauer is the past president of the Sylvania Area Community Improvement Corporation. He also is an economic development specialist.