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Supervisors approve pause on ordinance as Ronan and mayor reach $10M small‑business relief agreement
Summary
Supervisor Hillary Ronan told the committee she reached an agreement with the mayor and OEWD to release $10 million immediately for small‑business relief—doubling a $1 million resiliency grant and creating $9 million in 0% loans—while the ordinance authorizing a $20 million line was continued for one week.
Supervisor Hillary Ronan told the joint committee on April 1 that her goal was to "get assistance to small businesses who are suffering enormous losses at this moment and do it quickly," and described an agreement with the mayor's office and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development to release $10 million immediately rather than proceed with the ordinance as written.
Under the arrangement Ronan described, $1 million in philanthropic money will replenish and double the city's Small Business Resiliency Grant program, which provides direct grants of up to $10,000, while an additional $9 million from the current general fund will launch a small‑business survival loan program administered by OEWD and community partners. Ronan said loans could be up to $50,000, carry no interest and be repaid over up to six years, with outreach targeted to businesses that do not qualify for SBA assistance.
OEWD Director Joaquin Torres confirmed the package and said philanthropic contributions will flow through the Give2SF fund and that "individuals may donate, as well" to reach the $10 million goal. Torres also said OEWD was working with neighborhood lenders and community development institutions to provide technical assistance during applications.
Chair Sandra Lee Feuer and other supervisors praised the effort to move money quickly. After discussion, the Budget & Finance Committee voted to continue consideration of the original items (the ordinance and the appropriation) for one week so staff could finalize program details and ensure geographic equity and operational readiness. The motion to continue passed on a roll call recorded in committee as Walton, Mandelmann and Feuer voting "Aye."
Committee members pressed staff on access and speed: Supervisor Asha Safai asked that the application process be low‑burden and multilingual hotlines and community partners be used to expedite delivery. Torres said OEWD had set up multilingual hotlines and partnerships to speed outreach and would provide more precise timing to supervisors.
Public comment included callers who urged attention to testing, hospitals and support for vulnerable residents, and an advocacy group speaker who asked that nonprofit service providers be prioritized in budget decisions.
Next steps: supervisors agreed to continue the ordinance for one week to finalize program mechanics and allocations. OEWD and the mayor's budget office said they would return with operational details, timing for applications, and reporting on philanthropic Give2SF contributions and distribution plans.
