Title
Approving a contract with BCL of Texas in the amount of $80,000 for administration of a small business grant program as provided under the Travis County Interlocal Agreement for Administration of CRF Funding Under the CARES Act and authorizing the City Manager to execute same.
Summary
On June 23, 2020, Council approved an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with Travis County to receive a maximum of $3,531,055 in CARES Act Funding on a reimbursement basis for qualifying expenses as approved by Travis County. Under the ILA, Cities are allowed to administer their own small business grant program provided the City coordinates with the County to ensure businesses do not receive funding from both government programs.
On July 14, 2020, Council approved the general allocation of CRF funds to be received through ILA with the County which included $1M for a small business grant program. Therefore, it is proposed that the City contracts with BCL in the amount of $80,000 for the development and administration of a small business grant program which will issue $920,000 in small business grants. BCL is a nonprofit that specializes in the administration and management of small business grant and loan programs. BCL is currently under contract with Travis County to administer their THRIVE small business grant program.
The City must develop, promote, administer and seek reimbursement for its small business program no later than October 31,2020. Given BCL’s experience and relationship with the County, and considering the significant time constraints, staff recommends approval of the attached contract with BCL to develop and administer they City’s small business grant program to maximize the City’s ability to utilize CRF funds for the benefit of our local small businesses who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. PCDC has recently conducted a survey of local small businesses to gauge the business needs in our community and will continue to assist and provide direction to B...
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