Executive Pry Distributes Maximum Amount of 2009 Ohio Fuel Fund Grants, 958 Local Households Benefit


Today, Monday, November 23, 2009, Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry's Department of Community and Economic Development announced it has successfully distributed $218,901 in Ohio Fuel Fund Grants (OFFG) to approximately 958 households across Summit County. The average grant amount awarded was $228.50; all in the form of billing credits.

The Ohio Fuel Fund Grant program is a First Energy initiative that provides financial assistance to low-income, electrical consumers residing in central, northeastern and northwestern Ohio.

After being named one of two OFFG distributing agents in Summit County, in August 2009, Executive Pry encouraged eligible citizens to come forward and take advantage of the unique, cost saving opportunity.

"In less than three months, we were able to distribute every cent of the allotted 2009 grant funding," stated Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry. "The overwhelming response from citizens was yet another sign of the difficult economic times."

"What is even more telling, is that 90 percent of the applicants were able to avoid service disconnection because of their involvement with this grant program," added Connie Krauss, director of the Summit County Department of Community and Economic Development.

Citizens who qualified for a 2009 Ohio Fuel Fund Grant met the following eligibility requirements: have an active residential service account with a First Energy electrical utility company, have a pattern of "good faith" customer payments, have previously applied for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) or Emergency-HEAP and a total household income that is at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guideline.

2010 Ohio Fuel Fund Grant applications are not being accepted at this time.