Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Storefront Improvement Program topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council refers $100,000 storefront improvement appropriation to Ways and Means; councilors urge wider distribution
Summary
An order to appropriate $100,000 from free cash to expand the storefront improvement program was referred to Ways and Means; several councilors urged the program be spread across more small businesses rather than concentrated in a few.
The Chelsea City Council referred to Ways and Means a proposal to appropriate $100,000 from free cash to the Department of Housing and Community Development to fund the storefront improvement program.
Councilors who spoke on the item said the program has had visible positive results for participating storefronts but argued the available funds should be spread to help more small businesses, not concentrated on a small number of recipients.
Administration communications describe the storefront improvement program as a tested initiative with a “playbook” that beautifies downtown properties and supports local economic activity; details of award amounts and allocation criteria were not finalized at the meeting and will be developed as part of the Ways and Means review.
Next steps: Ways and Means will review program allocation strategy and funding levels and return a recommendation to the full council.
