Photo by Michael Gannon
Downtown Ashland Association voiced its support for further assistance to local businesses in a letter to Ashland Town Council. The letter states,
August 21, 2020
Ashland Town Council
101 Thompson Street
Ashland, VA 23005Dear Councilors,
Downtown Ashland Association supports the Town of Ashland’s efforts to help local businesses adapt to COVID-19 and its economic impacts. The Town took quick action, allowing outdoor dining and providing safety early in the pandemic. These programs helped Ashland businesses to adapt more quickly and effectively. Now, as federal recovery funding is available to local governments, further action is needed to sustain local business during the economic crisis.
There is a significant need for recovery funding to Ashland businesses. To date, the financial assistance offered to businesses within the Town of Ashland is not equal to assistance offered to businesses elsewhere in Hanover County. The County’s Small Business Resiliency Grant Program provides up to $7,500 for personal protective equipment, safety enhancement, technology and e-commerce, supplies, and other expenses, but excludes businesses within the Town of Ashland. The Ashland Economic Development Authority’s Small Business Resiliency Grant Program provides Ashland businesses up to $2,000, but only for personal protective equipment and safety enhancement expenses. At the same time, the Commonwealth of Virginia’s RebuildVA Grant Program offers up to $10,000, but excludes businesses who receive recovery funds from federal or local government. The result is a confusing system that does not provide Ashland businesses equitable quantity or flexibility of funding.
During the global pandemic, our local community can focus on its long-term economic development. The global economy is forever changed in unforeseen ways due to COVID-19. Our community’s economic development depends upon businesses’ successful transition to the post-COVID economy. We are fortunate that the Ashland economy was in an upward trend before the pandemic. To enable future growth, the community must act to stabilize local businesses.
Downtown Ashland Association supports the Town of Ashland dedicating federal recovery funding to provide small business grants up to $10,000 for purposes of both recovery and innovation, including protective equipment, safety enhancement, technology, e-commerce, supplies, and other expenses. We stand ready to help Ashland businesses undertake the challenge by providing business training and technical assistance, utilizing a Community Development Block Grant. We appreciate the Town of Ashland’s attention to these issues, and look forward to enhancing our partnership as we continue to work together through this extraordinary time for the benefit of Ashland businesses, residents, and visitors.
Sincerely,
Maggie Beal Longest
Executive Director, Downtown Ashland Association