DeWine announces over $3.3 million in forgivable loans for East Palestine businesses

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced on Friday that multiple businesses in East Palestine will receive over $3.3 million in forgivable loans to assist in their recovery from February's train derailment.

A total of 18 businesses will be receiving Emergency Support Program loans. A complete list of businesses along with how much each will receive can be found below.

- Strohecker Incorporated ($965,145.97)

- Fuller Hardware Inc. ($3,107.87)

- TRIPCO LLC ($150,000)

- Ohio Valley Foods Inc. ($566,127.76)

- Columbiana Sanitation Industries (CSI) ($62,250)

- McKim's Honeyvine LLC ($37,400.50)

- Medart Inc. ($526,083.36)

- Brave Industries LLC ($134,500)

- Cardinal Welding Inc. ($232,021.76)

- Bea's Insurance Agency LLC ($36,518)

- Linsley-Royal Funeral Home ($160,683.50)

- Gorby's Grocery Inc. ($97,721.25)

- Hardcastle Realty LLC ($80,066.76)

- Enchanted Salon LLC ($18,871.50)

- 1820 House LLC ($66,531.25)

- DAH Realty LLC ($95,202)

- EPO2 LLC ($15,162)

- Bush Heating LLC ($87,774)

"The strong business community here in East Palestine is more than just the backbone of the local economy. It's the heart and soul of this town. By supporting these businesses, we're giving them the tools to recover and restore jobs, services and the vibrancy of their community," DeWine said.

The loans were approved through the Ohio Department of Development's East Palestine Emergency Support Program, which launched in August to provide loans to businesses impacted by the derailment.

The loans are forgivable if they're used for payroll, employee benefits, rent or mortgage payments, utility expenses, worker protection or inventory replacement expenses related to the derailment.

Additional loan applications are currently under review by the Department of Development. Eligible businesses can still apply for a loan by clicking here.

For-profit and non-profit Ohio businesses located within a two-mile radius of East Palestine that were operational on or prior to December 1, 2022 are eligible to apply.