HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.b. COVID Update
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Port Authority Meeting: August 18, 2020
AGENDA ITEM: COVID-19 Update AGENDA SECTION:
Old Business
PREPARED BY: Eric Van Oss, Economic Development
Coordinator AGENDA NO. 4.b.
ATTACHMENTS: None. APPROVED BY: LJM
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Information Item
SUMMARY
Since the June 16th regular Port Authority meeting there have not been any changes to the Governor’s
Executive Order. Indoor dining remains at 50% capacity and the June capacity for salons and gyms remains
the same. Staff continues to have regular interactions with the State and County regarding COVID relief
efforts and next steps. The most significant initiative since the Port last met is the start of the Rosemount
Cares Small Business Emergency Grant. See all updates below:
Rosemount CARES Small Business Emergency Grant: The grant application opened on August 10th.
There has already been strong demand for submissions. 35 applications were received within the first day
and currently 56 applications are in the queue as of August 14th. The grant will be reviewed on a first-come-
first-serve basis and the last day to apply is August 28th.
Dakota County Grant: Dakota County has received 1,652 grant applications as of August 13th and hope to
receive 2,000 applications at the program close date of August 14th. They expect to fully expend the County
funds allocated to the grant program. Although Rosemount is not participating in the County program, local
businesses are still eligible and have been encouraged to apply for funding through the County.
Rosemount CARES: Staff started the Rosemount CARES initiative to help raise awareness of the safety
precautions that local businesses and organizations have put in place to help residents’ shop, dine, and visit
during the pandemic. The Rosemount CARES business program continues to promote local businesses via
the cling branding and social media platform. Several more videos are in the works and an additional 110
CARES clings were mailed to businesses.
Staff has continued to send regular updates to the business distribution list regarding federal and state
information and guidelines. At this time, there have not been any businesses that have indicated they are
ceasing operations in Rosemount due to COVID related financial difficultly.
In a way to help encourage mask wearing by the general public we are asking Council / Port members to
take photos of themselves shopping with masks. The Rosemount branded masks would be visible along
with any business logos. The photos will be posted on social media to both shopping at business and as a
soft way to ease the burden of business owners having to enforce the Statewide mask mandate.
Business Mask Program: The City of Rosemount, in partnership with the Dakota County Chamber of
Commerce, received a supply of free masks for Rosemount businesses. Masks were made available at City
Hall and businesses will be given on a first come - first serve basis. The masks can be used for customers
who do not have their own mask while frequenting local business. The initial 2,000 masks were distributed
within 2 days and staff received an additional 6,000 masks from the Chamber.
PPP: The Paycheck Protection Program stopped accepting applications on August 8, 2020.