Revitalization Commission Agenda and Packet 2020 05 06

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Revitalization Commission Minutes April 15, 2020 Page 3 of 7 with economic recovery; this would include items rather than just infrastructure. Council said any help from LRC is helpful re: grants. Anything the LRC provides would be helpful. Council grant program may be one opportunity provide small business support, so the LRC may be able to assist in other ways. Commissioner Bradfield seconds Council member Lipton’s call for a conservative initial approach. After the economy is reactivated, the LRC could look at the issue again for second go-round of funding. He likes a more measured approach for brainstorming about spending money. He has not seen effort to get people receiving money to shop in Louisville. He would like to keep the money flowing through the local economy. Commissioner Adler asked staff to speak to programs being considered, in addition to grant program. Commissioner Grosevski asked what is the status of businesses in URA. In Superior, the town is buying lunches for Superior staff to help out local restaurants. Director Pierce responded to Commissioner Adler’s question by saying the City has focused on first phase without an involved discussion in other programs. There is interest in what a future phase looks like but no discussion yet. Director Pierce said she has not heard any businesses announce they are permanently closing. Businesses are having trouble making plans with any certainty and there is some frustration for them around re-opening and understanding what recovery looks like. There have been a lot of questions about financial relief. Loans are starting to roll out but Director Pierce does not know disbursement in Louisville. Council member Lipton said we have been focused on the grant program but not a lot of consideration of future tranches. The Economic Vitality Committee (EVC) is working hard on EV strategies. Council wanted to get a program out the door quickly and this grant program is something we could do. Other things Council has talked about is need for short term consulting/staffing, also an idea to give cards to redeem at local businesses and the possibility of developing new events for downtown. Street Faire is currently scheduled but delayed; it is unknown if it will occur. Council member Lipton said Council would like to fund more and better marketing materials for downtown. They don’t want the grant money to pay staff; they want businesses to apply to federal grants for payroll. City grant money could be used for rent, utilities, cost of goods sold. Commissioner Adler would like to tie this into the work plan.