WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) wrapped up a ‘Help is Here’ tour through Ohio where he visited various vaccination clinics and small businesses across the state to witness firsthand the ways in which the American Rescue Plan is already helping Ohio recover from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Brown helped write and pass the American Rescue Plan, which provided billions in federal funding to ramp up vaccine production and distribution to get all Americans vaccinated, support small businesses as they weathered the pandemic, and assist Ohioans through the pandemic and resulting economic crisis.

During his trip, Brown toured vaccination clinics in Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, Youngstown, Cincinnati, and Dayton, where he met with clinic staff and heard the stories of Ohioans who have been vaccinated, and the positive difference vaccines will make for Ohio families and communities.

Read what they’re saying about Brown’s visits to vaccination clinics:

NBC 3, WKYC Cleveland: Sen. Sherrod Brown visits Wolstein Center mass vaccination clinic to highlight vaccine benefits

  • “Sen. Sherrod Brown visited the Wolstein Center’s mass vaccination clinic to discuss ‘the positive differences COVID-19 vaccines will make for Northeast Ohio families and communities.’”

Columbus Dispatch: Sen. Sherrod Brown urges Ohioans to encourage friends to get the COVID-19 vaccine

  • “Brown said governments have a role in encouraging vaccination and other public health efforts, which are funded in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act.”

Toledo Blade: Sherrod Brown, county officials try to combat huge drop in vaccine demand

  • “Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown was in Toledo Wednesday to add his political heft to the call from local officials to get vaccinated, as medical experts question whether the country can reach herd immunity after a steep decline in vaccination rates.”

NBC 21, WFMJ  Youngstown: Senator visits mass vaccination clinic in Youngstown

  • “As Senator Sherrod Brown walked the mass vaccination clinic in Youngstown, he talked vaccine outreach and the importance of getting Ohioans vaccinated.”

ABC 9, WCPO Cincinnati: Much of Cincinnati's American Rescue Plan funds expected to fill budget gaps

  • “Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown, … visited Cincinnati Friday to discuss vaccination progress and the American Rescue Plan, said the new bill gives more time for local government to spend the funds.”

NBC 3, WDTN Dayton: Sen. Sherrod Brown stops by Dayton to tour vaccine clinic, Gem City Market

  • “Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) made some stops in Dayton Friday, touring a vaccine clinic at Five Rivers Health Care Center and then heading to Gem City Market ahead of its grand opening May 12. The visit came after Brown’s part in writing and planning the American Rescue Plan, which will give billions in federal funding towards growing vaccine production and distribution. Both Five Rivers center and Gem City Market will be recipients of funding from the plan. While at the clinic, Brown took time touring its facilities, talking with both health care workers and people getting their vaccine.”

Brown also visited small businesses in Mansfield, Sandusky, Steubenville, and Dayton, where he met with workers and small business owners who received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds, which helped them weather the pandemic and maintain their workforces.

Read more about what they’re saying about Brown’s visits to small businesses:

Mansfield News Journal: U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown visits urban farm in Mansfield hometown

  • “U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown visited the North End Community Improvement Collaborative Urban Farm Tuesday morning and liked what he saw sprouting up in his hometown. The urban farm consists of three micro farms, which make up the Richland Gro-Op. The Richland Gro-Op grows vegetables for local restaurants, hospitals, and other institutional customers. Brown, a Democrat, said the site is an example of local communities working with Congress and the Biden administration.”

Sandusky Register: Brown observes Rescue Plan's impact

  • “Brown, D-Ohio, helped to write and approve the American Rescue Plan, which included $50 billion in funding to help small businesses throughout the country. The Payment Protection Program was included in this plan. Trent Beard, an owner of Mr. Smith’s, said the funds helped “dramatically,” and the process was relatively easy. ‘This year has been tough for everybody, but we know that small businesses have been among the hardest hit,” Brown said. “I was proud to fight for and secure the PPP funding necessary to help businesses like Mr. Smith’s Coffee House stay afloat and maintain their workforces.”’

Steubenville Herald Star: Senator discusses help for businesses

  • “Scaffidi’s Restaurant and Tavern Thursday became the latest business visited by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, as part of a statewide tour promoting awareness of aid available to them through the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan.”

Dayton Daily News: Gem City Market gives supporters a sneak peek

  • “The worker- and member-owned cooperative grocery store received a grant worth nearly $1 million from Greater Dayton Premier Management. The money was leftover HOPE VI funds, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), who toured the market on Friday, advocated for putting the HUD funding toward the project, which he described as uniquely important.”

 

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