Politics & Government
St. Michael City Council and EDA Discuss Business Rent Reimbursement
The St. Michael City Council and EDA are continuing a conversation about offering business rent reimbursement to new business owners in St. Michael.
Members of St. Michael EDA recently approved a proposal 5-0 to offer business rent reimbursement to new business owners in St. Michael.
The program would offer 50% rent reimbursement, up to $500, for a period of six months. The program would be on an application basis that would be approved by Community Development Director Marc Weigle. The money would be available for up to five businesses that are starting up in a commercial area.
The St. Michael City Council discussed the idea further at the September 25 meeting and have plans in place to further discuss at tonight's workshop.
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"Some cities require businesses to be in business a year first before reimbursement," Weigle explained.
"But those first months are sometimes the hardest," Nadine Schoen said.
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Kevin Kasel, who was attending the meeting via Skype had concerns. "Are we subsidizing a new business at the expense of an existing business?" he asked citing concerns about competitors of current local businesses.
The council decided that they would further discuss the program at their next workshop which is scheduled for tonight at 6 p.m. The City Council meeting will be immediately following the workshop at 7 p.m.