Birmingham Coronavirus: $15 Million Response Plan Approved

BIRMINGHAM, AL—Birmingham City Council approved a $15 million COVID-19 Response Plan Tuesday night to fund police, fire, public works and a stimulus program for small businesses impacted by the spread of the coronavirus.

“I want to thank the council for working with me to secure the funds for the city’s COVID-19 Response Plan,” Mayor Randall Woodfin said. “This is an important message to the people of Birmingham. Through this funding, we are committed to providing a full response to COVID-19 with our police, fire and public works. Also, we have taken the first important step to launch an economic stimulus plan for our small businesses struggling during this pandemic.”

According to city officials, they will utilize $15,165,333 from the General Fund Cash and Investment. This will not affect current funding of city departments and agencies, they said.

The funding approved will include:

• $547,133 for personal protective equipment and supplies for first responders (Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service, Birmingham Police Department, Department of Public Works)
• $2,638,200 for overtime (Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service, Birmingham Police Department, Department of Public Works)
• $880,000 for equipment and supplies to support increased teleworking to adhere to public health recommendations of social distancing (Information Management Systems Department)
• $1 million for a small business emergency loan fund
• $9.2 million to address the estimated budget shortfall for the next 60 days

The small business emergency loan fund, or BhamStrong Fund, is designed to provide zero-interest, 180-day loans to small businesses (less than 50 employees) of no more than $25,000 (with an average loan size of $10,000) to prevent staff reductions and offset losses related to COVID-19.

In addition to the $1 million approved by the city council Tuesday night, the city’s Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity has identified an additional $200,000 for the fund.

BhamStrong is also designed to include funds from philanthropic and corporate entities. The Birmingham City Council must consider additional action as early as next week to launch the program.

Additional information about BhamStrong can be found at bhamstrong.com.

City officials said the COVID-19 Response Plan is the latest step to address needs during the spread of the virus.

In a news release, city officials said they remain committed to updating residents and employees on the latest information concerning COVID-19. In addition to information at www.birminghamal.gov/coronavirus, the city has established a text message alert system.
People can text BHMCOVID to 888-777 for text message updates. A Spanish language update system is available by texting BHMCOVID19 to 888-777.

SEE ALSO:

• Birmingham Coronavirus: Plan To Help Businesses, Workers Revealed
• New Measures Taken To Reduce The Coronavirus In Alabama
• Coronavirus Study: How Many Adults Are At Higher Risk In Alabama
• Coronavirus Cases In Alabama Grow To 46

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