On Monday, Richmond City Council will vote on whether to give one-time grants and loans to businesses impacted by months of anti-police brutality protests and riots.
Under the ordinance proposed by Mayor Levar Stoney, businesses that have had windows smashed or other property damage during the recent protests would now be eligible for the CARE Program. Richmond’s CARE Program provides $3,000 rebates to businesses in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods to make improvements to their buildings. The program also provides low-interest recovery loans of up to $10,000 to qualifying businesses, which would now include businesses damaged by civil unrest.
The CARE Program was first established by the City of Richmond in 1992 to help business revitalization efforts along Hull Street. It’s since expanded to cover more than two dozen low and moderate income neighborhoods throughout the city.
City officials say the one-time inclusion of businesses damaged by protests won’t impact funding for poorer communities, because the CARE Program has unspent funding. The program was allocated $600,000 in the most recent budget.
City Council will hold a special meeting Monday at 4 p.m. A live stream is available here.