Press Releases

Funds will assist with costs for translation services to help city officials better serve Haitian community, unexpected security costs following unprecedented period of disruption and bomb threats 

Springfield, Ohio – The Ohio Mayors Alliance Foundation announced yesterday that it is providing the City of Springfield a grant award of $100,000 to help with costs associated with translation services to better serve the Haitian community. The grant will also help cover unexpected security expenses during an unprecedented period of disruption, including bomb threats, brought on by false and inflammatory statements made during the presidential campaign about Haitian immigrants. 
 
Mayor Rob Rue expressed his gratitude to the Ohio Mayors Alliance Foundation, stating, “We are incredibly thankful for the timely support from the Ohio Mayors Alliance Foundation during this challenging period. This grant will play a crucial role in helping us address language barriers and better serve our Haitian community. In addition, the unforeseen security challenges we’ve faced over the past months have placed significant strain on our resources, and this funding will help alleviate some of the financial pressures associated with implementing enhanced security measures.”
 
The grant comes from a newly established Emergency Relief Fund that the Ohio Mayors Alliance Foundation established following a visit to Springfield in September by a bipartisan contingent of mayors and officials. During that visit, which was led by Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, the group offered mutual aid to assist with unexpected security needs and discussed forming this emergency relief fund.
 
Joining Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther and Mayor Rue in Springfield on Sept. 16, 2024, were Athens Mayor Steve Patterson, Dayton Mayor Jeffrey Mims Jr., Dublin Mayor Chris Amorose Groomes, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik, and Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz. Former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley and Former Ohio Governor Bob Taft also attended the discussion. Former Governor Taft attended as a board member of the Ohio Mayors Alliance Foundation. The Ohio Mayors Alliance is a bipartisan coalition of mayors in Ohio’s 31 largest cities, including Springfield.

“Bringing mayors together to support one another in a time of crisis is essential to our mission at the Ohio Mayors Alliance Foundation,” said Executive Director Keary McCarthy. “We commend Springfield Mayor Rob Rue for his sound, sensible leadership during these last few difficult months, and we thank the mayors from across Ohio who came together to support the mayor and the city of Springfield.” 

Mayor Rue praised the leadership and support of the Ohio Mayors Alliance Foundation, stating, “The assistance from our neighboring cities is a powerful example of unity and collective action. It underscores the strength we gain when we come together in times of need, and we are truly stronger as a result.”

The Ohio Mayors Alliance is a bipartisan coalition of mayors in Ohio’s 31 largest cities, and the Ohio Mayors Alliance Foundation provides non-partisan policy and research support to cities. For more information, visit: OhioMayorsAlliance.org.