TCC will meet on Monday by teleconference

The Toccoa City Commission will meet on Monday for its regular scheduled meeting; however, like earlier this month, the meeting will be conducted through teleconference.

For anyone wishing to attend the meeting by teleconference you are asked to call in at 706-898-5160, after calling in you will be instructed to input a code, that code is 790453.

Up for consideration is a motion to reallocate the Façade Grants Program to Bridge-The-Gap Grants program funding.

According to City Manager Billy Morse, in recognizing the need for an immediate cash infusion for small businesses, the National Main Street Center has recommended that local Main Street Programs with active Façade Grant programs pivot and utilize this funding temporarily for emergency bridge grant funding.

Morse says there is currently $6,700 remaining in the Façade Grant Fund.

He says eligible businesses would include for-profit consumer-facing small retail businesses within the Main Street District, such as restaurants, retail storefront, salons, travel agencies, and more. Ineligible businesses would include non-profits, franchise, auto and auto body repair or sales shops, gas stations, banks, home-based businesses, government entities, or businesses less than 1 year in operation.

Morse says grant funding could be used only for the purpose of paying mortgage payments, rent, or utilities, including water, gas, electricity, or internet. The purpose of this grant would be to help “bridge the gap” as the Shelter-in-Place order is lifted and business returns to normal in this unprecedented time.

According to Morse, grants would be for $250 each, which means that funding could be provided to 27 businesses.

If approved by the Toccoa City Commission, an eligible business would need to provide proof of 2020 City of Toccoa Business License; certification that business is in the Main Street District and in operation for more than a year; certification that business has not yet received any federal grant or loan funding by the date the application went online; and a signed affidavit certifying that funds would be used for the proper purpose.

Morse says the Main Street Toccoa Bridge-the-Gap Fund would be discontinued on July 1, 2020 with the regular Façade Grant’s return.

Again, to attend the meeting on Monday by teleconference call 706-898-5160, you will be asked to input the code: 790453 after calling in.

The Toccoa City Commission meeting will begin promptly at 5:00 p.m.