STEUBENVILLE - Progress Alliance said economic assistance for new businesses in the city is still available through sources other than its Revolving Loan Fund.

The agency issued a statement to clarify confusion that may have arisen from a recent request for Community Development Block Grant money.

Ruth Casey, the loan fund administrator, recently requested $35,000 in CDBG money for 2010 for the revolving loan fund.

"The funds requested will be a 25 percent match from the city and would allow us to leverage more than $100,000. And these funds will be used solely for loans within the city. Economic Development Administration funds are available for loan requests but can't be disbursed without the city's matching funds," Casey told the city planning commission.

She noted the loan fund returned CDBG funds to the city in January 2008 under a mandate from the Ohio Department of Development and that money was used to buy anti-crime surveillance cameras.

"Progress Alliance has no matching funds from Steubenville and currently is unable to make (revolving loan fund) loans within the city," Casey said.

Ed Looman, Progress Alliance executive director, said while a draft proposal on the CDBG money is being prepared by Urban Projects Director Chris Petrossi for a June 7 meeting, including the Progress Alliance request, there is money available for business in the city.

"Even though we currently have no matching dollars from the city, we can refer potential and current businesses owners to the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association for interim assistance," Looman said.

OMEGA, based in Cambridge, operates a revolving loan fund that is similar to the one managed by Progress Alliance.

"We have an extremely good working relationship with OMEGA and we brought Lolly Ravak, who oversees the OMEGA RLF, to the area several times to discuss her program with current and potential business owners," Looman said.

Casey noted the local RLF does have matching funds available to make loans in all other parts of Jefferson County besides Steubenville.

"Our fund provides bridge or gap financing for projects and we stand ready to assist any interested business in other sections of the county," Casey said.

Looman added Progress Alliance also can provide a variety of other services to current and potential business owners through its Hub program. This program is an off-shoot of a nine-county partnership recently launched by the MCBI Regional Incubator for Entrepreneurs, based in Zanesville. Counties involved in this effort include Coshocton, Harrison, Jefferson, Muskingum, Guernsey, Belmont, Morgan, Noble and Monroe.

For information regarding available revolving loan fund programs or the HUB effort, contact Progress Alliance at (740) 283-2476.