City plan provides support for local businesses
City leaders met April 6 at the downtown Welcome Center. Staff Photo/Mark Warde
Small business livelihood in Ennis, already battling the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, may apply for help following the April 6 meeting of Mayor Angie Juenemann and City Commissioners. They united to begin an economic stimulus plan that offers grants totaling nearly half a million dollars.
Details are available at http://ennistx.com/economic-stimulus-grantprograms and provide a boost for 125 loans, 70 for restaurants and related businesses, 20 towards tourism related businesses, 20 for website and online retailing as well as 15 to farmers market vendors. The information was posted online on Tuesday, Apr. 7.
“We are committed to help our small business owners resurrect their ability to get back on their feet and move forward,” Juenemann told The Ennis News. The advance move is in line with many cities who are developing strategies ahead of state or national return-to-work directives.
“We support those who have poured their money and hearts into building their businesses” in Ennis, she continued, and “We want them to succeed and we will help them along the way.”
The stated purpose of the stimulus programs is to stabilize local businesses adversely affected by Covid-19 and related economic factors and conditions. The effects of Emergency Order No. 5 says “Covid-19 poses a direct and imminent threat to the local economy and future employment.”
Considered a forgivable loan, each comes with a performance agreement of requirements which, if met, turns the loan into a grant.
Economic losses are defined as lost wages, lost revenue, obsolete inventory, rent and/or lease payments, inability to conduct online retailing, absence of a functioning website and must be expended and properly accounted for prior to Dec 31st, 2020.
The program benefactors are for:
- Restaurants and related businesses: 70 loan/grants, not to exceed $5,000 each
- Tourism and related businesses: 20 loan/ grants, not to exceed $3,000 each
- Website and Online Retailing: 20 loan/ grants, not to exceed $3,000 each
- Bluebonnet Market Vendor: 15 loan/grants, not to exceed $1,000 each
In accordance with county, state and nationwide mandates, the health of citizens led to officials to cancel both the Bluebonnet and Polka Festivals as well as the downtown carnival.
