Fresno adds new relief for small farms and businesses, also renters hurt by coronavirus
The Fresno City Council approved $4 million on Thursday in relief programs for businesses, renters and small farms affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
The council added $2 million to its Save Our Small Business program, which passed out $750,000 to small businesses in April.
It designated $500,000 for small farms.
Another $1.5 million was earmarked for people who are struggling to pay their rent because of the economic effects of the shutdown related to COVID-19.
All of the money comes from the city’s portion of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES. Fresno got $90 million total from the act.
While the council has previously approved money for business, Thursday’s legislation was the first to specifically benefit small farms, which fell through the cracks of the previous funding.
“It’s a win-win,” Councilmember Esmeralda Soria said. “We help our farmers and the produce they have will go back into the community.”
The program sponsored by Soria works with the Asian Business Institute and Resource Center. Advocates have said many Hmong-speaking farmers were left out of the earlier federal funding.
Rent help
The relief programs gained the support of everyone on the council accept Councilmember Garry Bredefeld. While he said he supported the money for farmers and businesses, he would not support the rent program because he said the money could potentially go to undocumented immigrants.
The grants will be available for $500 to an individual or $1,000 to a household for residents who live in the city.
Small business
The city adopted a shelter-in-place order March 18, asking everyone to stay home when possible during the coronavirus outbreak. Many businesses were also ordered to close to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The city partnered with a firm to award the money previously, but officials said the council will oversee the next round of funding.
The city set up a website to aid businesses with other programs: www.fresnocovidhelp.com.
