The Committee of the Whole approved two related items on consent allocating cannabis tax revenue for housing rehab and small‑business redevelopment and heard staff describe efforts to assist applicants who were not awarded funds in the latest round.

An ordinance authorized expenditure of cannabis tax proceeds and appropriated up to $165,073 for exterior repair assistance (described in discussion as part of an interior/exterior rehabilitation program) for the Office of Planning and Economic Development. The committee then approved a separate order allocating up to $406,000 for small business redevelopment assistance from the same funding source.

Nut graf: Staff described the cannabis tax grants as an ongoing, annual program and said the latest funding round was the third round of awards. Officials emphasized outreach and capacity‑building for businesses and homeowners who did not receive awards, including one‑on‑one technical assistance, connections to other programs (such as the small business institute and community partners) and future application support.

Office of Planning and Economic Development staff said they will contact applicants who were not funded and offer alternatives and technical help in future rounds; Julia Griffin (staff) said the program will keep a running list of applicants and work with other departments and community partners to prepare applicants for future cycles. Director Posey and Alderman Gregory emphasized plans to tailor training and create a minority business institute and a small business symposium to address common application shortcomings.

Several aldermen urged more targeted outreach in wards with high need and to match unsuccessful applicants to other resources and training. Staff noted that the program received some applications from outside the designated cannabis zone, that the program history includes three rounds of awards and that officials plan additional community engagement and ‘storytelling’ about past recipients to encourage future applicants.

Both items were placed on consent and passed; aldermen voted aye and the items moved forward.

Ending: Staff said they will contact unfunded applicants, refine outreach and training, and coordinate with community relations and other departments to improve equity of outreach and applicant readiness for future funding rounds.