MARQUETTE — Area businesses can now apply for a grant to help them recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Ogden Newspapers Inc., the parent company of The Mining Journal, has established a $1 million fund to help local businesses get back to full strength by subsidizing local marketing efforts through matching grants.

“We know businesses and workers here are hurting; we’re hurting, too,” Mining Journal Publisher Ann Troutman said. “But if we can pull together as a community, we can weather this.

“Here at The Mining Journal, we want to do everything we can to help everyone get through the pandemic and get back to work. With these matching grants, we can help local businesses tell their story as they rebuild.”

Businesses operating in the local market can apply for a grant of up to $15,000 at ogdennews.com/community-grant. Applicants will receive a response to their application within one to two business days.

The fund is open to all locally owned and operated businesses impacted by the coronavirus, Troutman said. They do not have to be current Mining Journal advertisers.

Grant money can be used for local print and online advertising in The Mining Journal and at miningjournal.net between Wednesday and June 30.

“That is amazing,” said Amy Clickner, chief executive officer of the Lake Superior Community Partnership, in an email. “As an economic development organization, we are on the front lines assisting businesses of all sector and size navigate the devastating impacts the COVID-19 crisis is leaving in its wake.

“Companies, like Ogden Newspapers, understand the need for the local business community to be healthy and thriving. By putting their advertising resources in play they will make a positive impact on main street.”

A community newspaper is only as strong as the community it serves, said Robert Nutting, CEO of Ogden Newspapers.

“As a family-owned business operating for almost 130 years, we have learned that the only way to pull through the hard times is to stand with your partners and customers,” Nutting said. “We are proud to offer this assistance to the local businesses that form the backbone of the communities where we publish.”

For more information and to apply, visit ogdennews.com/community-grant.

Ogden Newspapers operates more than 40 daily newspapers across the United States, plus a number of weekly newspapers and a magazine division. 

Christie Bleck can be reached at cbleck@miningjournal.net