DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Alejandra Lopez
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-wide
SUBJECT:
Update on the Small Business Support and Workforce Development Pillars within the COVID-19 Community Recovery and Resiliency Plan.
SUMMARY:
This item provides an update on the status of the implementation of the Small Business Support and Workforce Development Pillars and their associated strategies included in the COVID-19 Community Recovery and Resiliency Plan approved by City Council on June 4, 2020.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
City Council approved the COVID-19 Recovery and Resiliency Plan on June 4, 2020. The strategies associated with this Plan are categorized into four pillars: Workforce Development, Housing Security, Small Business Support, and Digital Inclusion. Each of the four pillars was assigned to a City Council Committee and staff presented the implementation plan associated with the Small Business Support and Workforce Development Recovery Strategies to the Economic and Workforce Development Committee on June 19, 2020 and June 23, 2020. These briefings included the expected outcomes, implementation partners and their associated budgets, program process overview, equity and engagement strategies, and major milestones. The Committee also received implementation updates on August 4, 2020, September 2, 2020, and October 6, 2020.
ISSUE:
This briefing will include status of partner contracts, the implementation of various programs associated with the strategies, and a timeline of deliverables to implement and complete all strategies.
Small Business Support Pillar
The Small Business Support strategies include grants to micro businesses, nonprofit organizations, artists and art organizations, small business engagement, on-the-job training support, and purchase and distribution of protective equipment.
Workforce Development Pillar
The Workforce Development strategies provide City residents with skills and career assessments followed by short-term, long-term and on-the-job training in career pathways that promote wage growth. High school equivalency preparation will also be available and residents receiving this education and training will also receive wraparound support, such as childcare and/or stipends, to reduce barriers and ensure programmatic outcomes are achieved.
ALTERNATIVES:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total budget for the Small Business Support Pillar is $38.1 million and budget for the Workforce Development Pillar is $75 million. The budget for the execution of these strategies was approved by City Council on June 4, 2020.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for briefing purposes only.