City Council Agenda Report
February 3, 2026
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager
BY: Alex Hamilton, Interim Director of Community Development Moises Mata, Senior Management Analyst
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 26-12 - ACCEPTANCE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ADMINISTRATION GRANT FUNDS FOR THE CITY OF NORWALK SMALL
BUSINESS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Background:
On September 5, 2025, the City received a Notice of Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA), for a Small Business Technical Assistance Program in the total project amount of $300,000, consisting of $150,000 in federal grant funds and a $150,000 local matching contribution. The grant period of performance is from September 1, 2025 through March 31, 2027.
The purpose of the grant is to support Program ¡Ayúdame!, a comprehensive small business technical assistance initiative designed to help Norwalk residents plan, launch, and successfully operate small businesses in the City of Norwalk. The program will be implemented in collaboration with Cielo Azul Advisors, Inc., which is designated as a co-recipient under the EDA award.
The City is the lead recipient of the EDA award and will be responsible for overall grant administration, reporting, and compliance. Cielo Azul Advisors, Inc. will serve as the co-recipient and primary service provider, delivering training and mentoring services in accordance with the EDA-approved Scope of Work.
The program will be implemented on a citywide basis and is not limited to a single physical location. Program activities include outreach, classroom-style training, and individualized mentoring, which may be conducted at City facilities and other locations as appropriate to serve participating residents.
City Council February 3, 2026
Resolution No. 26-12 Accepting Economic
Development Administration Grant
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Project Description
Program ¡Ayúdame! will provide participating residents with structured business education and hands-on technical assistance, including:
Citywide outreach and informational town halls for Norwalk residents A five-week foundational business course covering:
oBusiness planning
oFinancial planning
oPermitting and regulatory requirements
oLease considerations and labor compliance
A competitive selection process to advance participants into a 12-week intensive mentoring program
One-on-one advisory support from experienced business professionals Post-program advisory assistance for up to nine months following program completion The program is designed to support approximately 20–25 entrepreneurs through the full program cycle, with additional residents benefiting from outreach and introductory training.
Fiscal Impact:
The City has an approved Business Attraction, Retention, and Expansion account within the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Adopted Budget. The Economic Development Administration grant-funded activities will be classified as a programmatic use within this existing account, and no additional General Fund appropriation is required.
A budget amendment is required to recognize and appropriate $150,000 in Economic Development Administration grant revenue and corresponding expenditures.
Citizens Advised:
N/A
Strategic Plan 2023 Implementation:
The recommended action will further the City’s Strategic Plan by advancing Goal 3, to create and sustain a resilient and economically prosperous City.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommend City Council:
a.adopt Resolution No. 26-12, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWALK AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2025/26
ADOPTED BUDGET FOR SMALL BUSINESS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, in the amount of $150,000; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement City Council February 3, 2026
Resolution No. 26-12 Accepting Economic
Development Administration Grant
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with the Economic Development Administration and any grant documents, on behalf of the City, in a form approved by the City Attorney; and
b.approve an agreement with Cielo Azul Advisors, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $300,000, funded through the Economic Development Administration grant, to provide small business technical assistance services; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and any amendments provided there is funding in the budget and it is within the City Manager’s signing authority, on behalf of the City, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Attachments:
Resolution No. 26-12