On behalf of the Community Development Department, the Procurement Division issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for FY 2019-20 CDBG Small Business Assistance Program in January, 2021. The RFP was published through the Public Purchase e-procurement website, which notified thirty (30) potential respondents; (3) accessed the RFP. One firm responded to the RFP: Community Capital Fund.
Staff reviewed the proposal based on established criteria which included:
· Organizational Capacity and Experience to implement a rental assistance program utilizing federal funds,
· Conformance with the City’s 5-year Consolidated Plan,
· Fiscal Capacity and Agency Management System,
· Methodology for Accessing Client Eligibility and Tracking those served,
· Performance Measurable,
· Leveraging Resources and
· Achieving Results & Program Evaluation.
Community Capital Fund is being recommended to utilize $125,000.00 to implement a Small Business Assistance Program will provide grants and/or loans to small businesses in the City of Independence. Business with between one (1) and fifty (50) employees will be eligible to receive $5000 minimum up to $20,000 from the Small Business Assistance Program The immediate financial assistance will help businesses to pay leases, to provide commercial mortgage assistance, keep residents employed, and to assist recipients to stay in business.