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Local advocate asks Augusta commission to create small-business emergency stabilization fund
Summary
Patricia Jeter urged the commission to consider a pilot stabilization fund offering one-time grants up to $2,500 to businesses hit by qualifying events, and asked the commission to direct staff to draft ordinance language and eligibility criteria.
Patricia Jeter, founder of West Augusta 6 and the West Augusta 6 Jeter Foundation, asked commissioners to create an emergency small-business stabilization fund to help viable businesses that face documented hardships.
Jeter proposed a one-time grant of up to $2,500 per eligible business and recommended a pilot allocation of $25,000–$40,000. She asked the commission to direct the county attorney and county administrator to research ordinance language, eligibility requirements and an expedited review process with eligibility decisions targeted within 14 calendar days of a complete application. "I respectfully request that the commission consider establishing an emergency small business stabilization fund through an ordinance or amendment to the county code," Jeter said.
Commissioner Jordan Johnson responded that the commission had asked administration, legal and finance to explore such a program and expected a report back in a reasonable time frame. Jeter emphasized expedited outreach to downtown minority-owned businesses that have already experienced revenue disruption due to revitalization and construction.
