9/15/2023
1 RiversideCA.gov
1 RiversideCA.gov
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT
SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH
COMMUNITY CONNECT TO ADMINISTER
A SMALL AND MICRO-BUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM
City Council
September 19, 2023
Community & Economic Development
RiversideCA.gov
2 • March 11, 2021 - President Biden signed ARPA
into law to facilitate COVID 19 Recovery
– Established Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery
Fund
BACKGROUND
• November 9, 2021 - City Council approved
first allocation of $36,767,594 of ARPA funding
– 1st Round “Local Small and Micro-Business
Grant” program
1 2
Date: 9-19-23
Item No.: 9
REVISED
9/15/2023
2 RiversideCA.gov
3 • Pre-pandemic: small businesses and micro-enterprises are nearly 70% of Riverside business community
– Over 32% of local employment
• Riverside area has largest number of family-owned
businesses in the country
• Riverside Small and Micro-Business Grant Goals
– Infuse resiliency capital
– Target disadvantaged and underserved
– Ensure equitable opportunities
DISCUSSION
RiversideCA.gov
4 • October 2022 – RFP 2193 seeking consultant to partner in Grant program administration
– 28 prospective bidders
– 2 proposals received and evaluated
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS 2193
RankLocationVendor
1Riverside, CAInland Southern California 211+ dba
Community Connect
2Seattle, WAGeocko Inc DBA FORWARD
3 4
9/15/2023
3 RiversideCA.gov
5 • Grant funding $5,220,051.95
Revitalization and business resilience
Security, repairs and replacements
Façade improvements
New hiring and employee training
Business equipment and improvements
Computer and software upgrades
Marketing and branding
• Consultant Agreement $779,948.05
GRANT PROGRAM
RiversideCA.gov
6 Strategic Priority 3 – Economic Opportunity
Goal 3.4 – Collaborate with key partners to implement policies and programs that promote local business growth and ensure equitable opportunities for all.
Cross-Cutting Threads
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
5 6
9/15/2023
4 RiversideCA.gov
7 That the City Council:
1. Approve the proposed American Rescue Plan Act Subrecipient Professional Consultant Services Agreement with Community Connect for $779,948.05 of American Rescue Plan Act Funds to administer a City of Riverside small and micro-business COVID recovery grant program; and
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the American Rescue Plan Act Subrecipient Professional Consultant Services Agreement with Community Connect, including
making minor and non-substantive changes to complete the transaction.
RECOMMENDATIONS
7