Strengthening Small Businesses
Small businesses are the backbone of our community and support the livelihood of thousands of local residents as both business owners and employees. Displacement isn’t just a concern for families in this county; it’s a growing challenge for small businesses as well. Over the years, we’ve watched iconic local businesses disappear due to gentrification and redevelopment, and we can’t afford to keep losing the places that give our neighborhoods their identity. In a major metropolitan area like ours, small businesses should be able to grow and thrive alongside larger companies, but that requires a support system that actually works.
By expanding the reach of CPCC’s Small Business Center, we can provide a central hub for entrepreneurs to access important training and mentorship programs that help them compete and grow. Additionally, by offering incentives for the development of new “flex” spaces for retailers, restaurants and co-working areas, we can give small businesses the physical room they need to continue to grow and thrive in District 3. I will also work to make grants and assistance programs more accessible, fair, and clearly communicated. Too often, small businesses miss out on great programs because information about them is scattered, outdated, or shared only within certain networks. We need to modernize how the county shares information and make sure grant opportunities are truly accessible to small businesses. I will work to continue creating an environment where small businesses are given the information, the funding, and the spaces they need to thrive alongside larger chains.