COCONUT GROVE, Fla. – The economic impact of COVID-19 took center stage during Thursday morning’s City of Miami Commission meeting.
“This is not going to be in a few months we are back to normal,” Commissioner Joe Carollo said. “The economic recovery,” agreed Commissioner Manolo Reyes, “is going to take a long time.”
The #economicimpact of #COVID19 taking center stage during the @CityofMiami commission meeting.
— Christina Vazquez (@CBoomerVazquez) April 23, 2020
“This is not going to be in a few months we are back to normal.” -@JoeCarolloNow The economic recovery,” agreed @Manolo4Miami, “is going to take a long time.” pic.twitter.com/infBsth3F6
The discussion happening amid approval of three agenda items sponsored by Commissioner Ken Russell to help small business owners and so-called micro enterprise owners retain staff during the COVID-19 crisis and navigate funding opportunities.
Russell explained funding came from community development block grants, “that are brought down from HUD And the federal government but these programs are separate from what the federal government is doing with the CARES act. This is our city’s effort to fill in the gaps where the federal government is missing some of the small business and micro enterprises.”
This Just In: @kenrussellmiami 👇 re: help for #SmallBusinesses + #microenterprises approved today by @CityofMiami * SOUND ON * #COVID19 #EconomicImpact #SmallBusiness https://t.co/N7ZPdDo91l pic.twitter.com/syySbnZVkZ
— Christina Vazquez (@CBoomerVazquez) April 23, 2020
[CLICK HERE TO SEE LOCAL 10’S SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE GUIDE]
City Commissioners also approved an agenda item working with community groups Catalyst Miami, Hispanic Business Initiative Fund Nationwide, Inc. (Prospera), and The Allapattah Collaborative Community Development Corp, to help small business owners, “navigate the whole federal aid packages and apply in the right way,” explained Russell.