Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes CDD and EDD to release the RFP for small business assistance. $450,000 of federal CDBG entitlement funds are included in CDD's 2026 Operating Budget request within the Community Development Grants fund, Small Business Assistance service to support the contracts awarded through the RFP. Funding is contingent upon adoption of the 2026 Operating Budget by the Common Council. No City appropriation required in 2025.
Title
Accepting the Economic Development Division’s “2025 Small Business Assistance Policy Paper” as the basis for structuring and conducting a Request for Proposals (RFP) process and authorizing the Community and Economic Development Divisions to undertake this process and recommend, for approval by the Common Council, a funding allocation plan regarding awards and contracts that will take effect on or after January 1, 2026 (Citywide).
Body
The proposed resolution accepts a staff-prepared “2025 Small Business Assistance Policy Paper” and authorizes the Economic Development Division (EDD) and Community Development Division (CDD) to use its content to guide a funding process to allocate $450,000 of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to support small business assistance. EDD and CDD staff will present recommendations for Common Council approval regarding the allocation of these funds to community partners for use in contracts that will take effect on or after January 1, 2026.
The City of Madison has long-supported organizations that provide assistance to small businesses as part of its strategy to have a growing, diversified economy that offers opportunities for both businesses and residents to prosper. CDBG funds, which are administered in CDD, have been used for many years to help achieve the City’s Small Business Assistance goals. More specifically, the funds have supported the provision of technical assistance to micro enterprises and provided loans to small business owners to help ...
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