Boston Council Hears Calls for Construction-Impact Fund for Small Businesses

BOSTON — August 29, 2024 — Boston City Council committee examines $25 million in ARPA small business grants amid calls for construction-relief fund. Councilor Julia M. Mejia's Committee on Post-Audit, Government Accountability, Transparency, and Accessibility held a virtual hearing August 29 on Docket 1214, examining five grant programs including the $13.5 million Small Business Relief Fund 2.0, the $9 million SPACE Program, and the $500,000 Refresh Grant, with roughly $23 million of the $25 million total already spent and all funds required to be obligated by December 2024. State Auditor Diana DiZoglio presented findings from a new audit of Mass Growth Capital Corporation, revealing ineligible applicants received grants and that BIPOC and veteran-owned businesses were denied required priority scoring. Charlestown business owners Amanda, of Place and Gather and Junebug, and Kayla King, of KB Collection, reported sales drops of 30 percent and testified to receiving as little as three days advance notice before construction blocked their storefronts for months. Grove Hall Main Streets Executive Director Ed Gaskin recommended future construction contracts pre-price business interruption costs, which Councilor Mejia said would be the basis for a forthcoming ordinance.