Businesses in Chatham-Kent that are struggling to adapt to the current environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, may soon be eligible for a small municipal grant.
During Monday night's council meeting, councillors approved the development of a $200,000 COVID-19 Chatham-Kent Small Business Recovery Grant Program.
The grant is intended to provide immediate funds to small, privately-held businesses, stores or restaurants to help them adapt to the COVID-19 business environment.
Staff initially recommended a grant of $250,000.
However, several deputations from residents expressed concern over where the money would be coming from. It was proposed that $200,000 be redirected from the Together CK: CK Plan 2035 Community Projects budget to the grant program, with the remaining $50,000 coming from the Together CK: Events budget.
Together CK is a program that offers several grants to community non-profit organizations.
Many speakers, and several councillors, said it was questionable to take the funds away from the not-for-profit sector.
"As a council, we need to find that balance," said Councillor Melissa Harrigan. "I think it's important to recognize that while our business sector needs to have some support, which is provided through the grant recovery program, there's also a need to recognize the important work that our community groups are doing."
As a result, Harrigan made a successful amendment to slightly lessen the amount of the small business grant and leave the $50,000 in TogetherCK committee budget to distribute based on COVID-19 friendly events.
"I'm certainly open to increasing the amount of this grant at a later date when we identify how much uptake there is of it," said Harrigan. "More importantly, for myself, if there's going to be senior provincial funding available."
Another amendment by Councillor Karen Kirkwood-Whyte, made towards the end of the meeting, also changed the amount that each successful grant applicant could receive.
"There were a number of deputations that spoke to the increase from $1,000 to $5,000. There might be some applicants that don't need as much as [$5,000] but a little more than $1,000," she said.
The staff's original recommendation was that the limit would be $1,000 per applicant. However, Kirkwood-Whyte's motion increased that amount to be up to $5,000 per applicant.