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Council approves $50,000 EDA-administered grant fund for businesses affected by city projects
Summary
Winchester City Council approved a resolution to create a $50,000 Business Impacted by City Construction Assistance Program, to be administered by the Economic Development Authority; businesses could apply for grants up to $10,000 for demonstrable losses.
The Winchester City Council voted May 13 to establish a Business Impacted by City Construction Assistance Program and authorized the Winchester Economic Development Authority to oversee the program.
Staff presenter Bittner said the program would make $50,000 of city contingency funds available to assist small businesses affected by city construction projects. Grants would be available for documented, "true losses" and would be capped at $10,000 per applicant; applicants must demonstrate financial impact with supporting financials. The EDA board approved the program design and staff said the $50,000 would be drawn from city contingency for FY26 unless council appropriates additional funding.
Council discussed administration details, retroactivity (staff said the program could be retroactive to Jan. 1 for qualifying impacts), eligibility (staff said businesses must experience ingress/egress closures totaling at least three days over the life of a project) and the need to revisit program funding after the first year. Councilor Sloane disclosed a conflict of interest (ownership interest in property and a business that could be affected) and recused themself from the matter.
Councillor Tagnissi moved to approve the resolution and Councillor Hertzberg seconded. The council approved the resolution by voice vote and the motion carried.
City staff said the EDA would administer applications and return approved requests to finance and the city for appropriation before payment.
