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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Presentation 01/19/2021-Marana MattersMarana Matters: COVID19 Small Business Assistance Program Heath Vescovi-Chiordi / Assistant to the Town Manager 1-19-2021 Intro/Background •Council requested research on this item in July 2020 •Staff presented its findings to Council at a 10-13-2020 Study Session, and received additional direction •Staff was directed to look at business assistance examples in our region, as well as State and Federal programs •Consider various additional factors as well •Establish what might work for the Town, and design a program. Local Examples •Private and nonprofit business assistance •Small business focus •Grants and/or loans •Maximum award thresholds/award limits per business •Establish acceptable expenditure types •Business must be local (located within the jurisdiction) •Application requirements for eligibility •Infrastructure development Legal, Financial, and Admin Considerations •Staff time •3rd party involvement •Other administrative elements •Staff capacity •AZ Gift Clause compliance •Amounts allocated/allocation type Marana Matters COVID19 Small Business Assistance Program The Town of Marana has set aside $100,000, intended to assist qualifying small businesses within the Town of Marana who have been negatively affected by the COVID19 pandemic. The program allows for a maximum award of up to $2,000.00 dollars per eligible small business as reimbursement for past or ongoing expenses related to the mitigation of the spread of COVID19. This program is intended to assist those businesses that have implemented public health and safety protocols consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) guidelines. Eligibility Requirements •Must be a “small business” •Must be a Marana business •Must be physically located within the Town •Must demonstrate negative financial impact due to COVID19 •Must have less than $3M in annual revenues •Must present a statement of hardship and a COVID19 work plan •Must provide itemized receipts for reimbursement Eligible Expenses •Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as face masks, gloves, face shields, gowns, eye protection, and other similar equipment worn to minimize exposure to COVID19. •Items that promote safe work practices, such as cleaning, disinfection, and sanitation supplies, hand sanitizer, and hand sanitation stations. •Engineering controls such as plexi-glass barriers, touchless entry mechanisms, and high-efficiency air filters. •Other items that are associated with implementing safety protocols per CDC and ADHS guidelines for employees and customers, or that promote physical distancing, or enhanced sanitation measures as deemed eligible by the Town of Marana. Program Process and Timelines •Announcement of program •Digital marketing, including Town’s social media outlets •Business submits online application •Application is routed internally for review •Applications are logged and tracked •Approved apps receive funds, those that are not approved, will not. •Those seeking additional funds need only submit new receipts to Economic Development •Program Application: February 1, 2021 through June 21, 2021 •Program Duration: through just before the end of the current FY •Expense Reimbursement: for items purchased between March 1, 2020 through June 21, 2021. Program Application Questions?