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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.b. COVID Updates EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Port Authority Meeting: September 15, 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 Authority’s last met is the first-round mail checks for the Rosemount Cares Small Business Emergency Grant. See all updates below: Rosemount CARES Small Business Emergency Grant: The grant application closed on August 28th. There were 64 total grant applications submitted. Under the eligibility requirements set forth by the Council, 41 businesses met the criteria to move forward in the grant process. The first round of checks was mailed on September 10th to 18 applicants who provided the necessary financial documentation and signed grant agreements. Staff is working with the remaining applicants to get financial records and completed grant agreements. Staff is also working with the Dakota County CDA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development to ensure businesses with multiple applications do not receive multiple CARES grants. Initially the Council approved funding for up to 50 businesses and it appears the amount of funds expended will be short of that figure; by approximately $100,000. If the Port Authority is interested in pursuing a second round of business grants, staff would recommend opening the time period up to Downtown businesses only. The criteria would remain the same. The City did receive applications from some Downtown businesses but for whatever reason, staff estimates there are up to 20 businesses that may be eligible for the funding that did not apply. If desired, staff would take a more hands on approach to providing the grant information to these businesses, as it is unclear why some establishments did not apply. Staff worked with several of the businesses when approving patios or helping with other Covid issues, so we have good working relationships with these companies. If the Port Authority would like to attempt a second grant round, depending upon the participation, the required funding might be greater than the $500,000 originally set aside for the Program. The staff recommendation to limit the second grant to Downtown is due to the Council’s ongoing goal to increase the viability of the City’s historic Downtown and due to the amount of smaller businesses in the area. Another option is to use the CARES funds for other distributions, including reimbursement of public safety operations. Dakota County Grant: Dakota County has received 71 applications from businesses within Rosemount. Twenty-seven businesses that applied for the Dakota County grant were also approved for the Rosemount CARES grant and will receive City funding. We have not received a final tally from the County about how many local businesses will receive funds through their program. Dakota County has notified applicants their intention to move forward with the financial review portion of the grant but does not yet have a timeframe to award funding. 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. Staff is looking to the fall for a potential Rosemount CARES campaign to encourage local shopping and dining. We are pleased to share that the City has been nominated for a Leaders in Local Government Award for our work on this initiative. This event is sponsored by a number of East Metro Chambers, and we’ll find out on September 17 if we receive the award! 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. 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 were distributed to businesses 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. Staff has several more boxes of masks that will continue to be distributed throughout September. PPP: The Paycheck Protection Program stopped accepting applications on August 8, 2020 and there has been no extension.