The Legislature signs off on a 300 million dollar grant program for small businesses funded with cash set aside to help local government’s whose revenue was impacted by the shutdown.
National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn Starns says with the 50 percent cap on occupancy still in effect for Phase Two, the bill is timely.
“Not being able to just open up they are going to continue to have revenue losses,” says Starns.
If signed by the Governor the program would begin taking applications for businesses with fewer than 50 employees July 1st. Eligible businesses could receive up to 15,000 dollars.
New Orleans Representative Gary Carter opposed the grant program saying the Louisiana Congressional Delegation sent us that money to aid local governments.
“They strongly urged us to use that money for our local governments to make sure that we have the resources that they need to be able to deploy and deal with the COVID response,” says Carter.
The 300 million for the grant program is being drawn from an 811 million dollar fund for local governments.
Amite Representative Robby Carter says Louisiana businesses have already received 7 billion dollars in Payroll Protection Program funds.
“How are we going to divide 300 million when they got seven billion the first time? Are they going to get six cents on the dollar?” says Carter.
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