RESOLUTION NO. ______
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING THE COMMERCE ADVANTAGE BUSINESS GRANTS PROGRAM WHEREAS, the City of Commerce prioritizes economic development efforts by encouraging redevelopment opportunities, strengthening the City’s tax base, and promoting business retention, expansion and investment to support long-term economic vitality; and WHEREAS, small businesses are the backbone of the City because they create jobs, support the local economy, generate tax revenues and add a diverse mix of businesses that create vibrancy and make Commerce unique. City Council determined that targeted City programs and actions geared towards supporting small businesses are needed to preserve and strengthen resiliency for Commerce businesses who are susceptible to changing market conditions, economic downturns, rising operational costs and labor shortages, among others; and WHEREAS, on May 13, 2025, the City Council to designated two (2) Food and Brewery Districts (“Districts”) within the City and created a Food and Brewery Development District Ad Hoc Committee to support community revitalization and business attraction; and WHEREAS, on June 24, 2025, the City Council advanced its economic development efforts through the approval of a dedicated fund to spur redevelopment and offer business incentives within the districts. The funding approval included allocating approximately $75,000 per month to the Food & Brewery District Fund from lease revenue generated at 7025 Slauson Avenue to establish a fund for the districts. The available amount within the Food & Brewery District Fund is $1,437,500; and WHEREAS, on April 14, 2026, the City Council adopted the Commerce Economic Opportunity Zones (C.E.O.z) Program which is a City-wide incentive program to implement the City’s economic development vision, increase sales tax generation, create jobs, and establish the City as a top destination for business development and investment, among others; and WHEREAS, the City Council seeks to create the Commerce Advantage Business Grants to provide funding to eligible small businesses for building improvements, equipment purchases, limited inventory/supplies, accessibility improvements and licensing/permit fees, among others.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by this reference.
Section 2. The City Council hereby:
Establishes the Commerce Advantage Business Grants Program; Authorizes a budget appropriation of $1,437,500 for Commerce Advantage Business Grants from the Food & Brewery District Fund; Authorizes the City Manager, or designee, to develop and adopt policies and procedures for distributing funds for qualified expenses, eligibility criteria, allowed expenses, and application process, among others; Authorizes the City Manager, or designee, to make any necessary amendments to an existing on-call agreement with Avant Garde Inc. to increase the budget, scope and term for the implementation and administration of the Commerce Advantage Business Grants; and Authorizes the City Manager, or designee, to take necessary actions to implement the Commerce Advantage Business Grants.
Section 3. The City Council hereby establishes Commerce Advantage Business Grants to provide grants for eligible small businesses in accordance with program guidelines and all applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
Section 4. The Commerce Advantage Business Grants shall be administered in accordance with program guidelines developed and approved by the City Manager.
Section 5. The City Manager, or designee, is authorized to execute all documents and take any additional actions necessary to carry out the intent of this Resolution.
Section 6. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 25th day of August 2026 ______________________________
Kevin Lainez, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Eduardo Sarmiento, City Clerk