The City of Edmonton is looking at a cash program to help businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic – with nearly a third of the cash set aside exclusively for businesses own by minorities..The idea was discussed at an Edmonton City Council committee meeting Thursday afternoon and will be debated by the full council on Monday..The Economic Recovery Grant Policy says businesses are eligible for grants if they meet one of nine categories including if “it demonstrates benefits to members of communities that are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.”.The Economic Recovery Grant will provide financial support for local businesses through two streams: the City Stream and the Business Association Stream.”.In documents obtained exclusively by the Western Standard, the Edmonton proposal said “30 per cent of funding goes to business owners who self-identify as a member of a marginal community” in one of the streams.. 06601B56-808E-4997-BCF7-783A24EC5691Edmonton city council document .In the other stream “30 per cent of funding goes to projects or programs that directly target businesses that are members of marginalized groups.”.Edmonton Ward 3 Coun. Jon Dziadyk said the proposal gives him some concerns..“The merits of a quota system can be debated. I only hope this added criterion does not impede the immediate dispersal for businesses poised to best assist in the economic recovery effort that all Edmontonians are facing,” Dziadyk said..On May 11, 2020, Edmonton City Council approved the redirection of $5.295 million to fund a COVID-19 business relief program.. POLL: Many Albertans say they will ignore Christmas COVID lockdown .Under the first grant stream, businesses could apply for matching funds in the range of $1,000 to $25,000 to help them change their services or product delivery to follow COVID-19 guidelines, the CBC said..Under the second grant stream, a business could apply for $10,000 to $75,000 to put toward a long-term development activity that aligns with the program criteria..It’s believed this phase of the program would run throughout 2021 and account for the remaining 60 per cent of the available grant money..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter.com/nobby7694
The City of Edmonton is looking at a cash program to help businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic – with nearly a third of the cash set aside exclusively for businesses own by minorities..The idea was discussed at an Edmonton City Council committee meeting Thursday afternoon and will be debated by the full council on Monday..The Economic Recovery Grant Policy says businesses are eligible for grants if they meet one of nine categories including if “it demonstrates benefits to members of communities that are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.”.The Economic Recovery Grant will provide financial support for local businesses through two streams: the City Stream and the Business Association Stream.”.In documents obtained exclusively by the Western Standard, the Edmonton proposal said “30 per cent of funding goes to business owners who self-identify as a member of a marginal community” in one of the streams.. 06601B56-808E-4997-BCF7-783A24EC5691Edmonton city council document .In the other stream “30 per cent of funding goes to projects or programs that directly target businesses that are members of marginalized groups.”.Edmonton Ward 3 Coun. Jon Dziadyk said the proposal gives him some concerns..“The merits of a quota system can be debated. I only hope this added criterion does not impede the immediate dispersal for businesses poised to best assist in the economic recovery effort that all Edmontonians are facing,” Dziadyk said..On May 11, 2020, Edmonton City Council approved the redirection of $5.295 million to fund a COVID-19 business relief program.. POLL: Many Albertans say they will ignore Christmas COVID lockdown .Under the first grant stream, businesses could apply for matching funds in the range of $1,000 to $25,000 to help them change their services or product delivery to follow COVID-19 guidelines, the CBC said..Under the second grant stream, a business could apply for $10,000 to $75,000 to put toward a long-term development activity that aligns with the program criteria..It’s believed this phase of the program would run throughout 2021 and account for the remaining 60 per cent of the available grant money..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter.com/nobby7694
