Morning Scoop – KCMO Small Business Relief Fund + OPEN for business
from … The Morning Scoop – Downtown Council of KCMO, May 6, 2020
Downtown restaurants and retailers will OPEN their doors again on May 15. Read below to see how you can support them today.
Support Downtown retailers, restaurants
As Downtown retailers and restaurants prepare to open their doors for shoppers and diners beginning Friday, May 15, remember you can also show your support today.
Most restaurants are open now for carryout, delivery or curbside pickup of your favorite taste treats. And, some retailers are open for appointments.
Here’s how you take action today:
1. Purchase a gift card today to one of our Downtown retailers or eateries. For example, Michael’s Clothing, 1830 Main, will add 20% of value to any gift card sold by May 14. Call Keith Novorr at 816-221-0000 or email info@michaelsclothing.com to make your purchase.
2. Check out a current list of OPEN restaurants and retailers, courtesy of the Downtown Council. Make plans now – yes, right now – for a curbside pickup of dinner tonight.
3. Watch for OPEN signs to appear in shops and dining windows just in time for their May 15 return. Contact Tommy Wilson at tommy@downtownkc.org to request your sign.
KC Small Business Relief Fund is accepting applications
The KCMO Small Business Relief Loan Fund is taking applications to help ease some of the economic stress caused by the pandemic.
“While it may be a while before we know the full impact of COVID-19 on the Kansas City economy, the Mayor, City Council and the EDC recognize that small businesses are the lifeblood to our city, and sometimes these businesses don’t have access to the same resources as larger ones,” says T’Risa McCord, President & CEO of the Economic Development Corporation.
“Through our LoanUP program, our team has experience and expertise providing loans to businesses that have had challenges working with traditional banks. We intend to help them through this time.”
The Fund will provide money to help small KCMO businesses continue to finance operational expenses during this unprecedented period of economic stress. It will provide low interest rate loans, deferred payments for the first 6-12 months, with extended amortization periods of up to five years. No minimum credit score and flexible collateral requirements.
The KCMO City Council provided the EDC with $500,000 as a loan loss reserve fund to help create this relief loan program.
Visit the EDCKC.com to learn more.
Act now! Free rides for health care workers, small businesses
BikeWalkKC wants to know how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting your ability to get around town on bike and on foot.
Your feedback will inform its policy, advocacy, and programming in the coming weeks and months. You can take the survey here.
And, during the crisis, RideKC Bike & Scooter is offering FREE RIDES for all health care workers and small business owners who wish to use its services. Visit RideKCBike.com to get started.
