Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the expenditure of $1,100,000.00 from the CARES Act fund and authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into contract with the Economic Community Development Institute (ECDI) in an amount up to $1,100,000.00 for the purpose of deploying grants and loans and providing technical assistance to Columbus small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the department’s COVID-19 Small Business Response and Recovery Program.
The Economic Community Development Institute (ECDI) is a Central Ohio organization that provides assistance to Ohio entrepreneurs through a one-stop-shop business service model which is suited to meet the needs of all entrepreneurs and small businesses.
To assist Columbus small businesses in retooling from the economic impact of COVID-19, the department’s COVID-19 Small Business and Recovery Program offers grants, loans, and technical assistance for Columbus small business impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic under the following categories:
· Financial Relief - To provide financial assistance to existing small businesses, including enterprises operating in Low and Moderate Income (LMI) areas of the City of Columbus, in the form of grants and loans, with the goal of job retention.
· Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Procurement Assistance - To provide financial support to assist existing small businesses in securing PPE and/or making necessary COVID-19 health/safety improvements required to re-open their businesses in the City of Columbus.
· Training and Technical Assistance - Provide pre- and post-application training and technical support to grant/loan applicants and recipients of existing small businesses seeking to maintain operations and retain existing and potentially add new employees in the City of Columbus.
The Department of Development is requesting a 329 Waiver as a result of the deficiency in the existing infrastructure and expertise within the Off...
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