The Salvation Army of Ottawa County recognizes many renters around the county are already experiencing financial difficulties, or expect to in the near future, because of employment problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Salvation Army offers both utility and rent assistance, reports Executive Director Maureen Saponari, who can be contacted at 419-732-2769 or maureen.saponari@use.salvationarmy.org for details. It is important to note that no utility services provided by any community in Ottawa County will be shut off for non-payment during this crisis.

Customers who have had a direct loss of employment due to the coronavirus pandemic need to communicate this to their local utility company billing office so future structured payment plans can be arranged, said Saponari.

Columbia Gas, First Energy and AEP have announced that they will suspend shutoffs for nonpayment in response to the pandemic, effective immediately. Customers should contact the appropriate company to make arrangements. A local link with additional information is Ottawa County Improvement Corporation in Oak Harbor. Visit https://ocic.biz/coronavirus//