Small Business
Small businesses have been overlooked by state and federal COVID-19 relief programs, and like many working people, small businesses are struggling to keep their head above water. We must strengthen existing small business outreach programs, connecting communities to economic relief and services. We must come together with a multi-pronged approach and prioritize the needs of working people and small businesses rather than giving big breaks to multimillion-dollar developers and corporations. We can improve conditions for small businesses by investing in public transportation to expand late-night services allowing customers and employees to safely commute. As homelessness increases, small businesses are being impacted, and is why we must shift dollars into housing and mental health services. Investing dollars into lighting and infrastructure is the simplest step we can take to reduce crime and encourage walkability.
Together with community, we have:
- Secured over $30.95 in small business support
- $20.63 Million Covid-19 impact small business grants
- $5.25 Million to establish a framework to create geographic placemaking
- $3 Million to revive Operation Facelift
- $ 1.45 Million to build capacity for small businesses such as building their web presence
- $ 625,000 Thousand to foster support of local goods by promoting our local history, culture and identity
Together with community, we will continue:
- Continue to support existing small-business outreach programs.
- Explore tax relief strategies for legacy businesses.
- Encourage walkability to small businesses by investing in infrastructure and lighting.
- Improve small-business conditions by investing in public transit.
