PETER J. MILLER
WESTFIELD – Community Development Director Peter J. Miller and Community Development Block Grant Coordinator Leanne Cloutier hosted remote public hearings April 22 on the CDBG annual action plan for 2020 and emergency funds available in the next few weeks to aid small businesses and boost public services negatively impacted by the COVID-19 shutdown.
Live public participation was available by phoning in, however only former Ward 3 Councilor Andrew K. Surprise participated. Comments on the plans for both the emergency and the regular grants may be sent by email to p.miller@cityofwestfield or l.cloutier@cityofwestfield until Friday, April 24 at 4 p.m.
Westfield has been granted $216,737 in CDBG emergency funds through the CARES Act in addition to its regular allocation of $368,477 as an entitlement community, to which $80,000 in program rental fees will be added.
Grant recipients of both funds must meet CDBG eligibility requirements, which include benefits to low to moderate income clientele or retention of jobs for low to moderate income employees, including ownership in a sole proprietorship.
Miller said right now $190,000 of the emergency funds are slated for small business assistance and $26,737 for public services negatively impacted by the closures. He said the department has had 55 to 60 inquiries since the grant was announced last week, and 12 to 15 applications have been turned in.
He said they have also received requests for more than the amount available from public service programs impacted by school closures, increased child care demand, food insecurity and impacts on the homeless population.
“We have begun sending out award letters; four yesterday, and we hope they’ll be able to move quickly,” Miller said, adding that the emergency funds should be available in weeks not months.
Miller said the small business assistance is intended for businesses based in Westfield that have been in operation for at least 24 months. Businesses must be in good standing with the state and city, and operational during COVID-19; while they may be closed to the public, they must be actively planning and paying bills. Applicants must show a solid business plan, and reasonable expectation that they will continue operating beyond the crisis. They must be owned by a low to moderate income individual, or employ low to moderate income individuals who they will continue to employ with the funds.
Cloutier said while the maximum allowable grant under the emergency program is $10,000, because the city has received so many inquiries, they are looking to grant a maximum of $5,000.
