City of Ramsey 2020 Covid-19 Business Assistance Program Summary

The purpose of this case is to provide a summary of the City of Ramsey 2020 Covid-19 Business Assistance Program to the EDA.

On March 16, 2020 Governor Tim Walz signed Emergency Executive Order 20-04 Providing for Temporary Closure of Bars, Restaurants and Other Places of Public Accommodation.   The City of Ramsey Staff has been working non-stop with our local businesses, chambers and other units of government to help mitigate the impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic and Executive Orders. 

Initially, the City created a Covid-19 Business Resource webpage that included links to the first assistance programs and took many phone calls from businesses matching them with the appropriate programs and resources.  Programs such as the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and the Minnesota Small Business Emergency Loan Programs were implemented first and helped get businesses needed cash right away.  During this time period, the City also created a Restaurant Guide that included the status of Ramsey restaurants (Drive thru, pick up, hours delivery, etc.)  The City continually updates the Business Resource Webpage, Restaurant Guide and sends email updates to Ramsey businesses. 

Phase 1
The next phase of business assistance came from the state and local levels.  On June 16, 2020, the State of Minnesota rolled out its $10,000 grant program.  The City of Ramsey also implemented Phase 1 of its structured Small Business Assistance program which included the waiver of 2020 On-Sale Liquor License Renewal and the Waiver of Advertising fees in the Ramsey Resident for select business types. Together these programs provided $54,877 in much needed assistance. During this time local regulations relating to business signage and outdoor seating allowances were relaxed. 

Phase 2
The next phase of the business assistance came in the form of City and County grants.  The City and Anoka County worked together to ensure that all businesses applied for the grants they were eligible for.  The City program focused on for-profit businesses under 30 employees that could show negative impact from the Covid-19 Pandemic and Executive Orders.  The City prescreened applications and then worked with CMDC To underwrite the project to verify proof of negative financial impact due to Covid-19.  42 application were received during the two application windows. Thirty businesses were awarded grants up to $10,000. Seven businesses were determined ineligible.  Five businesses withdrew their application voluntarily.  In summary the City program provided 30 grants totaling $295,905.02.  The City then worked with Anoka County to have Ramsey businesses apply for the Anoka County Program for additional grant dollars.  Anoka County was able to get $632,029.00 in grants out to 34 Ramsey businesses.  Together these programs got money out locally in a timely manner to our businesses.

Whats Next in 2021
The Federal, State and Counties are all working to get the next wave of assistance out for businesses.  These programs just came out or are in the process of being approved and / modified. The Federal program includes dollars for additional (PPP), stimulus payments and clarification on taxable events.  The State of Minnesota program has been released and it includes $88M in direct payments to businesses based on their size and business type. The State also allocated $114M to counties for grant programs.  Anoka County received $7,157,052.76 for its local grant program and is working on its program design. Staff will work to find updates for these programs and to connect Ramsey businesses to these programs.  The City will also continue to find additional ways to help our Ramsey businesses during these challenging times.

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Staff is working on other potential ways to assist our Ramsey Businesses.  New ideas / programs will be brought to the EDA for consideration as they are developed.

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None. This is an information item.

None requested. This is an informational item.