EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — More than a dozen businesses in East Palestine will receive forgivable loans amounting to more than $3.3 million, according to a news release from the governor’s office and Ohio Department of Development.

What You Need To Know

  • East Palestine businesses receiving forgivable loans for more than $3.3 million

  • This is to help these 18 businesses recover from February's train derailment

  • The Ohio Department of Development’s East Palestine Emergency Support Program approved these loans

The “Emergency Support Program” loans are going to these 18 businesses to help them recover from the derailment that occurred back in February this year.

"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,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in the release. “By supporting these businesses, we’re giving them the tools to recover and restore jobs, services and the vibrancy of their community.” 

The release lays out the 18 businesses and amounts given:

  • Strohecker Incorporated - $965,145.97
  • Fuller Hardware Inc - $3,107.87  
  • TRIPCO, LLC - $150,000.00  
  • Ohio Valley Foods, Inc. - $566,127.76  
  • Columbiana Sanitation Industries CSI  - $62,250.00  
  • McKim's Honeyvine LLC - $37,400.50  
  • Medart, Inc. - $526,083.36  
  • Brave Industries LLC - $134,500.00  
  • Cardinal Welding, Inc. - $232,021.76  
  • Bea's Insurance Agency, LLC - $36,518.00  
  • 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 - $95,202.00  
  • EPO2, LLC - $15,162.00  
  • Bush Heating, LLC - $87,774.00 

“The economic health of East Palestine relies on the resilience of its businesses,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development, in the release. “The impact of these loans goes beyond dollars and cents — it’s about positioning these businesses for recovery and long-term success.” 

The Ohio Department of Development’s East Palestine Emergency Support Program approved these loans, and the release notes that they can be forgiven if used on “payroll, employee benefits, rent or mortgage payments, utility expenses, worker protection or inventory replacement expenses related to the train derailment.”

As part of the program, the release notes that East Palestine businesses can apply for loans between $10,000 and $1 million with no interest, and other applications are still being reviewed by the Ohio Department of Development.

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