During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on the extension of the City of Pontiac's small business grant application deadline and the provision of technical assistance to local businesses.

Mayor Gins announced that the deadline for grant applications has been pushed back to Friday, September 13th, following numerous inquiries from business owners who needed more time to prepare their submissions. The original deadline had been set for the previous week, but the extension aims to ensure fairness and thorough consideration for all applicants. The grants are specifically available to businesses owned by Pontiac residents, and the mayor expressed eagerness to conclude the application process promptly to provide much-needed assistance to the community.

Councilman James inquired about the status of technical assistance for these businesses, noting that some had been screened for support. The mayor confirmed that while some businesses have appointments scheduled for this week, no meetings had taken place the previous week. This week marks the first opportunity for technical assistance providers to engage with small business applicants.

Pro Tem Carrington also raised questions regarding the delays in providing technical assistance, seeking clarity on the reasons behind the holdup. The meeting underscored the city's commitment to supporting local businesses during a challenging economic period, with officials working to ensure that resources are effectively allocated to those in need.