YOUNGSTOWN -  Five Youngstown businesses are reaching for a government lifeline to help them recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The city Board of Control meets Thursday to consider approving $10,000 grants made available through the Youngstown Business Stabilization Fund.

The fund, established in January, made nearly $220,000 in grants available to local small businesses to help mitigate financial difficulties created by the pandemic by creating and retaining jobs in low-income areas.

The five businesses being considered by the board include Santisi Wholesale Foods; restaurant, entertainment venue, and bowling alley Westside Bowl; brewer and bar Whistle & Keg; restaurant equipment supplier WC Zabel; and video production company Cinemanix.

Funding sources for the program include $200,000 of supplemental Community Development Block Grant Funds made available by the CARES Act and $20,000 contributed by KeyBank Business Boost and Build Program, powered by JumpStart.

Valley Economic Development Partners will administer the program on behalf of the City and support services will be provided by the Minority Business Assistance Center at YBI and the Ohio Small Business Development Center Export Assistance Network at YSU.

Businesses with 3-25 employees can receive reimbursement of up to $10,000 for operating expenses incurred as of March 15, 2020.

Eligible expenses include payroll, rent, insurance, and costs associated with implementing new operating practices related to COVID-19 challenges.

The Board of Control meeting to consider the applications will be held Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom.