Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes a $35,000 grant from the Economic Development Division’s Small Business Equity and Recovery (SBER) grant program to the Progress Center for Black Women to fund the Fundamentals, Opportunities, Consistency, Understanding, and Success (F.O.C.U.S.) program. The SBER capital program has approximately $3.0 million in remaining budget authority. No additional City appropriation is required with adoption of this resolution.
Title
Providing Progress Center for Black Women a $35,000 grant for their Fundamentals, Opportunities, Consistency, Understanding, Success (F.O.C.U.S.) program using Small Business Equity and Recovery Program (SBER) funds and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign an agreement with Progress Center for Black Women or their fiscal sponsor for that purpose.
Body
WHEREAS, the Common Council approved the Small Business Equity & Recovery Program (SBER) on September 1, 2020 (RES-20-00613, Legistar #61605); and,
WHEREAS, the City of Madison desires to partner with existing and potential entrepreneurs, especially within the City’s black community and other communities of color, to take the important steps needed toward promoting a more equitable recovery; and,
WHEREAS, the Small Business Equity and Recovery Program (SBER) will provide a path toward equitable prosperity, especially within the black community, by providing tools and support to diverse entrepreneurs to prepare for our post-COVID economy; and,
WHEREAS, the Progress Center for Black Women’s core programming includes serving entrepreneurs of color; and,
WHEREAS, the Fundamentals, Opportunities, Consistency, Understanding, Success (F.O.C.U.S) program is designed to help Black entrepreneurs get focused on key aspects of running their business while providing a
supportive community, masterclasses, technical training, resources, wellness activities, and mentorship to help their entrepreneurial endeavors thrive; and,
WHEREAS, the F.O.C.U.S. program will run both a small group 10-12 week bootcamp as well as allow others to complete core workshops at their own pace through program completion; and,
WHEREAS, Progress Center for Black Women requires sponsorship of the F.O.C.U.S. program to proceed; and,
WHEREAS, the mission of the Progress Center for Black Women and their F.O.C.U.S. program aligns with the SBER resolution, the Economic Development Division recommends funding the F.O.C.U.S. program in the amount of $35,000, and the SBER resolution requires EDD staff to bring this to the Common Council via a resolution; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council approves a $35,000 grant to Progress Center or its fiscal sponsor to fund the F.O.C.U.S program this year using the 2021 Small Business Equity and Recovery (SBER) Program; and,
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized to execute a grant agreement and/or any other documents as may be necessary to effectuate the transaction, all of which are subject to the approval of the City Attorney.