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5.02 Designate $1.1 Million of Economic Development Funds to Support Small Business RecoveryCity of Westminster Staff Report 8200 Westminster Boulevard Westminster, California 92683 File #: 20-89, Item #: 5.2 Meeting Date: 5/13/2020 Westminster City Council To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Thru: Sherry Johnson, Interim City Manager From: Alexa Smittle, Interim Community Development Director Reviewed by: Erin Backs, Acting Finance Director Prepared by: Alexa Smittle, Interim Community Development Director S11R.IFCT- Designate $1.1 Million of Economic Development Funds to Support Small Business Recovery. RECOMMENDED ACTION/MOTION: Staff recommends that the Mayor and City Council approve the use of $1.1 million in economic development funds for a small business recovery loan program and related business support. BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses throughout the country are suffering. While virtually all have been impacted, the small business sector is the hardest hit in many ways. Westminster is home to thousands of small businesses that have had to shut down or limit operations as a result of the stay-at-home orders and safety concerns. With their income impaired, these businesses will struggle to maintain rent, utilities, payroll, and other basic operational costs, even if they have some reserves in place. The City Council had previously set aside $1.1 million in economic development funding for a mini grant and loan program, targeting facades and other minor business improvements in a limited geographic area (Westminster Blvd. between Bolsa Chica and Edwards). These funds remain available, and in light of the pandemic and the ongoing suffering of our local economy, these funds could be repositioned to function as a small business loan recovery program. Staff has been coordinating with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to develop a small business loan program that the SBDC would administer on the City's behalf. The SBDC is a federally City of Westminster Page 1 of 3 Printed on 5/7/2020 pow[ lod by I ogiFfl ar nvl File #: 20-89, Item #: 5.2 Meeting Date: 5/13/2020 -funded resource that provides small business owners and entrepreneurs with no -cost consulting services, a wide variety of training opportunities, and access to an extensive network of resources. They administer a variety of other loan programs for different jurisdictions, and this administrative service would be free to the City. Basic Facts on the Loan Staff is recommending $1 million be placed into a small business assistance loan program. Based on conversations with the SBDC experts and other best practices, the following loan parameters are recommended. • Loan amount up to $20,000 per business; • Loan repayment term up to 5 years; • 12 -month initial deferment before 1st payment; • Interest rate of 2%; • Loan can be used for payroll, rent, accounts payable, utilities, and general operating expenses only; • This loan is eligible to all for-profit and non-profit businesses located in Westminster that have 25 or fewer employees; and • Business must be located in Westminster and have a current business license. It is important to note that businesses must prove they are credit -worthy to qualify. Tax returns, credit scores, and other financial information will be collected as a part of the loan underwriting process. Personal guarantees will be required of successful applicants, however, there is always a risk that loans will not be repaid. How the Process Works The process will generally run as follows, should the City Council choose to proceed. 1. City staff and the SBDC will finalize documents and forms for dissemination. The SBDC will translate the English documents into Vietnamese and Spanish. 2. The SBDC and City staff will reach out to the business community in the following ways. a. City social media, websites b. E -blast to businesses that have provided emails as a part of their business license, as well as local business organizations such as local and regional chambers of commerce, local mall managers, etc. c. Information will be shared directly with local media stations d. The SBDC will conduct three virtual seminars to explain the program and application process. They will also be available for one-on-one support. e. After outreach is complete, applications will be received beginning on a set date. Please note, that like the Federal programs, we expect this program will be over- subscribed. 3. Applications will be taken in by the SBDC and reviewed on a first come, first served basis. City of Westminster Page 2 of 3 Printed on 5/7/2020 pow[ lod by I ogiFfl ar nvl File #: 20-89, Item #: 5.2 Meeting Date: 5/13/2020 Applications will be reviewed for completeness and basic underwriting criteria by the SBDC. Applications that meet these standards will be provided to a loan committee for review and approval. The loan committee will be made up of two City staff members to be designated by the interim city manager, and three members of the business community. The SBDC will assist in locating these volunteer members from their extensive network. Members must have some general financial literacy skills, and be approved by the interim city manager. 4. Once approved, applicants will work with the SBDC to finalize paperwork and receive funds. The SBDC will oversee loan repayment. 5. When funds begin to be repaid, ideally about a year after they are disbursed, the City Council will be able to reprogram the funds, or consider an ongoing revolving loan program through the SBDC. Other Business Assistance While it is impossible to know how recovery will unfold, local businesses will need attention. Staff recommends putting $100,000 (of the original $1.1 M) into a variety of small efforts to help businesses adjust to "new normal" operations. This effort should include development of a "shop local" campaign, some one-on-one business outreach, and collateral materials that businesses could use to promote continued public safety when reopening occurs, such as social distancing or proper sanitation precautions. FISCAL IMPACT: Funds in the amount of $1.1 million have been allocated to Economic Development 14501-46002 program loans and 11501-46004 program grants and can be reallocated to business recovery loan program citywide. No additional appropriation is needed. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Draft Loan Summary for Distribution City of Westminster Page 3 of 3 Printed on 5/7/2020 pow[ lod by I ogiFfl ar nvl A '0460 "Wr WESTMINSTER SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM In light of the deep impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on our small business community, the City of Westminster has responded swiftly and decisively to support our local businesses and community organizations. The newly established Small Business Recovery Loan Program provides financing to strengthen small business enterprises in this time of acute need for those that have been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Details about the loan: • Loan amount up to $20,000 • Loan term up to 5 years • Interest rate of 2% • 12 -month initial deferment before Istpayment • Loan can be used for payroll, rent, accounts payable, utilities, and general operating expenses only • This loan is eligible to all for-profit and non-profit businesses located in Westminster that have 25 or fewer employees. Loan Qualifications • Must be a current licensed business in the City of Westminster • Business cannot have more than 25 employees • Minimum personal credit score of 650 of business owner/applicant • Business must have been affected by COVID-19 • Must prove ability to repay the loan after initial deferment period (12 Months) Documents you will need • Business plan with 3 -years of projections • Statement of planned use of funds • Form 413 — Personal Assets/Liabilities • Form 4506T — Permission to run Credit • Form 1368 — Expenses for 1 year, along with past sales performance • 2 Years of corporate tax returns (if incorporated) • 2 years of personal tax returns • If no taxes for 2019, interim financials for 2019 • Interim 2020 P & L 0 Bank statements (3 months) • Document certifying number of employees (both full and part time) Process • Applications and supporting documentation will be submitted to designated representative from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) • SBDC will conduct an initial screening and thoroughness check, on a first come, first served basis • Acceptable applications will be forwarded to an award committee for selection of recipients • Approved applicants will work with SBDC staff to complete loan process (including repayment plan) and receive funding.