The Ohio Department of Development along with director Lydia Mihalik announced that Ohio is awarding $30 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to support minor league sports teams statewide.
Eight minor league sports teams across the state will receive grant funding totaling $30 million as part of the Minor League Relief Grants administered through the Ohio Department of Development. Six of the state’s seven minor league baseball teams and two of the state’s minor league hockey teams are to receive the funding.
The 134th Ohio General Assembly appropriated $30 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to help eligible teams recover from losses suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Individual grant amounts were awarded pro rata based on the eligible teams’ 2019 gross revenue.
According to Mihalik, this funding not only supports the teams but also the members of Ohio’s communities.
“Ohio is the heart of excitement, and there’s nothing more exciting than the roar of a crowd rooting for the home team. With this funding we’re supporting more than just these teams; we’re supporting beloved members of our communities. Whether it’s with a hat trick or a home run, these teams bring generations of fans together and give them something to cheer for. We’re proud to invest in that,” Mihalik said.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine echoed Mihalik’s comments saying that supporting Ohio’s minor league teams is crucial as they are important to both the community and the economy.
“Each one is important to their individual communities as far as the economy of the communities as well as being important to fans,” DeWine said.
The highest grant totaling $7,414,769.06 went to the minor league baseball team, the Toledo Mud Hens. The other eligible minor league baseball teams named in the legislation are the Dayton Dragons receiving $6,208,396.14; the Akron Rubber Ducks getting $3,869,612.21; the Lake County Captains accepting $1,635,080.84; the Lake Erie Crushers obtaining $1,032,259.67; and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers securing$927,487.38.
Two minor league hockey teams received funding. The Toledo Walleye took in $5,321,219.43, and the Cincinnati Cyclones got $3,590,363.86. Both are members of the East Coast Hockey League.
The Columbus Clippers were the only minor league baseball team not to receive the grants aimed at helping teams recover losses suffered during COVID-19.
According to the Ohio Department of Development, they empower communities to succeed by investing in Ohio’s people, places, and businesses.
The Ohio Star contacted the Ohio Department of Development for comment on why the Columbus Clippers did not receive funding. Sarah Wickham, Ohio Department of Development chief communications and marketing officer, told The Star that the Columbus Clippers were omitted when the distribution of the Minor League Relief funds was set in law.
Wickham also told The Star that since ARPA funds fund the program, eligible uses are subject to ARPA guidance, which includes payroll costs, lost pay and benefits of returning employees, maintenance of existing equipment and facilities, and support of operations.
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Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Toledo Walleye Players” by Toledo Walleye.
