Provide assistance to local businesses
Local businesses are the lifeblood of any local economy, providing numerous jobs, paying property and sales taxes, and contributing to the community’s culture and vibrancy. As such, it is important for cities to support local businesses to weather the economic crisis.
ASSESSMENT
Some questions to guide your thinking
- Which business communities need the most support?
- What types of support do these business communities need?
Resource
Creating temporary outdoor business operation permits
City of San Diego, CA
San Diego has created Temporary Outdoor Business Operation Permits to support the recovery of businesses devastated by the economic impact of COVID-19. The permits help dining and retail outlets with space …
Reading
Publishing a small business relief dashboard
City of Cambridge, MA 3 minutes
Cambridge, MA published a dashboard to report the impact of its small business relief programs, including data on total assistance provided and key statistics on the types of businesses, source of funds, and business owner demographics.
Reading
Creating broad partnerships to give small businesses access to capital
Brookings Institute 5 minutes
This report highlights the Rapid Response Loan Fund deployed in Indianapolis and made possible by a collaboration between local lenders and the Chamber of Commerce.
- Small businesses were offered federal PPP loans and Rapid Response Loans to stay afloat during the pandemic.
- Local governments, nonprofits, and corporate partners provided funds through a community development financial institution
Resource
Providing expert assistance to local businesses
City of Dallas, TX
In Texas, the Dallas Forward coalition created Dallas BUILD, a networking website to support small businesses find programs that lead to funding, mentorship, incubators, and more.
Resource
Creating an online resource hub for small businesses
City of Dallas, TX
The Dallas Forward website contains information on small business grants and loans, connections to a small business innovation network, tips on accessing PPE, and more.
Reading
Developing guides to reopening safely
City of San Antonio, TX
San Antonio’s Economic Transition Team created a report of recommendations and resources specifically for local businesses to reopen and operate safely.
- The playbook for small businesses begins on page 9.
Reading
Supporting businesses to expand into public spaces
City of Tampa, FL 10 minutes
Tampa implemented the Lift Up Local Economic Recovery Plan which temporarily allows restaurants and retail businesses to expand their exterior business footprint. This reading covers the program requirements and guidelines.
- The plan enables businesses to continue operating safely.
- At the same time, safe reopening supports the city's sales revenue.
Reading
Supporting small businesses in five ways during COVID-19
National League of Cities (NLC) 10 minutes
This reading provides five examples of actions that mayors and city councilors are taking to improve the survival odds for local businesses.
- Cities can support cities lower or defer costs, connect them to resources, or support them financially.
Resource
Setting up a small business emergency relief fund
Drexel University
This resource provides a summary of the various types of small business relief funds and offers case studies and templates for starting an emergency fund.
Resource
Creating temporary outdoor business operation permits
San Diego has created Temporary Outdoor Business Operation Permits to support the …
Reading
Publishing a small business relief dashboard
Cambridge, MA published a dashboard to report the impact of its small business …
Reading
Creating broad partnerships to give small businesses access to capital
This report highlights the Rapid Response Loan Fund deployed in Indianapolis and …
Resource
Providing expert assistance to local businesses
In Texas, the Dallas Forward coalition created Dallas BUILD, a networking website to…
Resource
Creating an online resource hub for small businesses
The Dallas Forward website contains information on small business grants and loans, …
Reading
Developing guides to reopening safely
San Antonio’s Economic Transition Team created a report of recommendations and …
Reading
Supporting businesses to expand into public spaces
Tampa implemented the Lift Up Local Economic Recovery Plan which temporarily allows …
Reading
Supporting small businesses in five ways during COVID-19
This reading provides five examples of actions that mayors and city councilors are …
Resource
Setting up a small business emergency relief fund
This resource provides a summary of the various types of small business relief funds…