Malcolm Hartman, owner of Tycoon Flats, located on North St. Mary’s Street, is waiting to hear whether his application for a City of San Antonio grant got approved.More than double the expected number of small business owners applied for City of San Antonio grants to offset revenue losses they have suffered during ongoing street repairs.began notifying those business owners on March 17 whether or not their application was approved, and how much of the $3 million pie they will get.
In January, the City Council approved a grant program to help business owners affected by what City Manager Erik Walsh called a “one-two punch” of the pandemic and simultaneous bond-related road projects. was funded with $2.25 million in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act . Some additional funds were added later, Spenle said.
Award notifications will continue through June 2, according to a memo that Brenda Hicks-Sorensen, director of the economic development department, sent to the mayor, city manager and City Council on March 21. Applicants who scored the highest according to the methodology outlined by the city are being contacted first. The greatest number of applications came from the North St. Mary’s Strip, where bar owners and others have lodged complaints for months about construction impacting their business.
“The amount of money that we have borrowed to stay in business is more money than I could have ever thought that I’d ever borrow in my entire lifetime combined,” said Hartman.“I’m glad that we’re beginning to notify businesses and distribute funds,” said District 1 Councilman Mario Bravo. Nearly 90% of the applications were from retail, service or accommodation and food service businesses, stated the city memo.