As the people of Santa Monica prepare for a holiday season under safer-at-home orders, city leaders are calling on local retailers and residents to share their ideas that could potentially spur economic growth on the Westside.
City of Santa Monica’s Emergency Operations and Business Liaison Teams launched a short survey this week online at bit.ly/38ammb1 that asks questions relating to rent expenses, how the city should best utilize funding if it receives any, and “what is your biggest stress right now?”
Staff said the City felt it was a necessary time to check in with residents since health orders have changed once again and survey responses will only be used by the City of Santa Monica’s Emergency Operations Center and Economic Recovery Task Force to focus their COVID-19 response and economic recovery on the issues residents want addressed.
The topic of a survey, and other available resources that are available to local businesses and employees, first arose during a recent small business webinar that was hosted by the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce in partnership with various city and county organizations earlier this December.
Santa Monica Rent Control Board representative Caroline Torosis was one of the many speakers who took time during the webinar to speak about the grants, tax credits and other financial assistance programs that are available to people and businesses in need.
“I know that this is a really challenging time for businesses and I know that many of our businesses have come to us with really excellent ideas. And I just want you to know that we receive all of the feedback directly,” Torosis said. “I know that you are busy... we’re constantly hearing over the phone (and) over email the frustration in people’s voices,” but a few minutes of your time can go a long way.
As she shared how most residents who reach out want little more than to see creative ideas being put in action to spur economic recovery, Torosis encouraged entrepreneurs to share their ideas by visiting the website prosperla.lacounty.gov/.
“Of course, as we continue working with (Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation) around our roadmap to economic recovery, no idea is a bad idea. We’re looking for creative policy solutions to spur job growth... so I encourage any of you to reach out to both ProsperLA and then me,” Torosis said.
And let’s say you’re a business owner or employee who doesn’t have a creative idea; you just need help — well, head to the website as well because there’s a number of resources that people may not know about. “And if you are in the difficult situation of having to lay off a large group of individuals,” Torosis added, then the group can provide you with business tax credit information and possibly help provide workers with access to unemployment insurance or other job opportunities.
Brennon@smdp.com
