Lafayette has suspended the Business Assistance Program until such time as further federal funding becomes available.
In April the city hired Townsend Public Affairs at a cost of $10,000 a month to help local businesses and nonprofits access resources offered by the state and federal government to keep them afloat during the financial challenges incurred during the shelter-in-place order.
According to the city, during the past five months the program has assisted 92 local businesses, including 10 nonprofits, to secure $1,561,100 in federal funding, affecting some 460 members of Lafayette's workforce. Additionally, 822 Paycheck Protection Program loans were received by Lafayette businesses and organizations, including 718 loans below $150,000, and 104 loans above $150,000.
City council members agreed at their Sept. 14 meeting that, given the government's lack of progress toward any sort of deal on the Phase 4 Coronavirus Relief Package, the program should be suspended and agreed that the city should resume the program as and when the next round of federal funding becomes available. |