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Board hears small-business concerns as federal relief pipelines lag; EDC, SBA outreach planned
Summary
Members said federal relief programs remain difficult to access and many small retail tenants are not paying rent; the economic development committee will follow up with SBA and EDC contacts and consider vacancy‑tracking and Q&A sessions for businesses.
Manhattan City Executive Committee members discussed small businesses’ difficulty accessing federal aid, landlords’ expectations on back rent when businesses reopen, and plans for vacancy-tracking and informational presentations.
Economic development chair Janet said many retail tenants had stopped paying rent and that the main obstacle for businesses was getting their bank to process federal loans. She said the city’s own small-business funds had been exhausted and that most relief was currently coming through the Small Business Administration (SBA) and federal programs such as the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). Committee members said applicants report long delays and little response from federal offices.
Janet told the committee she would check with an EDC representative and a second presenter who had briefed the committee in the prior month to see whether new federal program information would be available by June. The committee also discussed a vacancy-tracking app used by business improvement districts and planned to schedule presentations to help local businesses understand reopening requirements and relief options.
Members noted the practical problem that many small businesses face when reopening: landlords are continuing to ask for rent payments covering the closure period. Committee members said the board has limited leverage with commercial landlords but can help organize information sessions and Q&A with elected officials’ liaisons and agency staff.
The committee planned to defer a fuller review until presenters from EDC or SBA confirm updated guidance or program changes and to prioritize a June briefing if new information becomes available.
