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North Miami CRA reallocates $500,000 to Teach to Fish business grant program
Summary
The CRA approved reallocating $500,000 to the Teach to Fish business grant program to expand capacity and serve more eligible businesses within the CRA; several board members urged advisory-board review and cautioned about timing and program capacity.
The North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency voted to allocate $500,000 to the Teach to Fish business grant program, a capacity‑building initiative the board created on Nov. 26, 2024 to assist businesses located within the CRA boundary.
CRA staff said the additional allocation will allow the program to serve more eligible businesses, including through a pitch‑competition and summit the CRA runs. The maker of the motion said the program’s first-year grants were $5,000 citywide and that the pitch competition funded an additional 24 businesses in the initial year.
During debate board members raised concerns about process and capacity. One member said allocating $500,000 at this meeting was “kinda rash” because staff and the advisory board have not had time to develop the operational process or confirm demand; another asked whether the advisory board will be reactivated to advise on such allocations. Staff and the CRA attorney said the funds are currently budgeted and that disbursements will follow program rules and required documentation. The motion to allocate $500,000 carried by roll call with four in favor and one opposed.
Board members agreed to refine program details with staff and to consider whether a portion should be reserved for targeted restaurant support if the board chooses to do so.
