Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with the Long Street Business Association to pilot a small business stabilization program.
In 2021, the City of Columbus closed down a portion of E Long Street and connecting roads in the King-Lincoln Bronzeville neighborhood to improve the streets. The project took nearly 7 months to complete and completely cut off consumers from businesses along this commercial thoroughfare. Beyond this devastating impact to businesses still working to survive a pandemic, the construction had additional impacts such as forcing the relocation of one business and cutting off utilities to certain commercial buildings.
Through the Long Street Business Association, the City of Columbus will pilot a small business stabilization program, providing business interruption payments to small businesses who were effectively not able to operate due to City construction.
As program administrator, the Long Street Business Association will develop a mechanism by which to determine the eligibility of a business and the level of funding it qualifies for based on its impact. The Association will make relevant business owners aware of the program, accept and review applications, and issue funding. The Association will also be responsible for reporting on the impact of the program.
While the Long Street Business Association will develop further eligibility requirements, these requirements will include that businesses must be located on E Long Street between the intersections of Elijah Pierce Avenue and N 17th Street. Businesses must be small businesses, must be for-profit, and must serve customers primarily through their storefront.
Emergency action is necessary to ensure the timely launch of this pilot and swift issuing of payments to impacted and eligible businesses.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Job Growth subfund.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with the...
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