Lima City Council approved new loans for small businesses, an alley vacation and a resolution honoring Jerry Jones on Monday evening.
Precious Grundy | The Lima News
LIMA — Lima City Council met Monday evening to approve new ordinances and make room for new programs. The Lima Fire Department gave an annual report for 2022. In addition, the council approved new loans for small businesses, an alley vacation and a resolution honoring Jerry Jones.
Lima Fire Department Chief Andy Heffner weighed in on the fire department’s report from last year.
“When I started, we didn’t go to Bath, Bath didn’t come to Lima and Lima didn’t come to Shawnee but that has changed,” said Heffner.
Heffner said the fire departments have worked together when there are overwhelming emergencies.
“The Lima Fire Department operates in conjunction with neighborhood departments,” said Heffner. “When the need arises in our jurisdiction or neighboring jurisdiction, this enables us to handle overwhelming emergencies resources that are available at a specific time.”
Heffner also said LFD put out a total of 82 building fires for the year.
City Council also approved multiple loan programs for small businesses. The new programs are a part of the Better Together Plan established by the mayor with the help of the residents in the city. The Better Together Small Business Revolving Loan Program and the Better Together Façade Improvement Program will now provide help to small businesses in the area.
Eligible businesses are able to utilize the revolving loan program for needed equipment, property needs and expansion. According to the communications letter, it is a 5-year loan at an interest rate of 3%.
The façade improvement loan focuses on the exterior needs of a small business. According to the communications letter, the loan will address blight, high traffic and group projects. The communications letter also said the 5-year loan with a 3% interest rate is a matching loan.
Council approved the petition filed by the City of Lima Engineer Ian Kohli on March 8 to vacate the alley between Calumet Avenue and Grove Avenue. According to the communications letter, the alley is near the land where the Lima Aquatic Center will be constructed.
Family members joined the meeting to receive the resolution for Jones.
“Mr. Jones was a trailblazer here in Lima,” said Sixth Ward Council Member Derry Glenn. “He was put in the Hall of Fame at Lima Senior a couple of years ago for the work he did for the kids.”
Reach Precious Grundy at 567-242-0351.
