HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-02-2023_Open Session_Item 12_Brown, Hardy_any links sanitizedHardy Brown, comment for August 2nd City Council Meeting.
This is for agenda item 12; American Rescue Plan Act- Funded Entrepreneurial Development
Services and Resource Center Discussion. While I am in support of what the EDSR Center and
ASPEN Institue at CSUSB are doing; I am not in support of what I read in the discussion report.
Questions, will San Bernardino City be funding businesses in other communities? Are
these other cities putting in their fair share? If so, how much? Who is on the advisory
Board, if they have one, how were they selected? What is their definition of a small
business?
On page 453 concerning American Rescue Funds, on the agenda it states; The
following programs and activities from the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship
(IECE) at California State University San Bernardino will provide resources and support
for entrepreneurs and small business owners located in the City of San Bernardino.
The goal is to aid aspiring and existing small business owners through business
counseling and specialized business assistance programs to help them recover from
the ongoing and residual effects of the pandemic and build sustainable resilience to
navigate and survive future economic challenges. This is good.
Yet on Page 454 it states they will; Address disparities in small business ownership
and entrepreneurship through a deliberate focus underrepresented groups in the
city, and as appropriate, surrounding communities (e.g., Rialto, Highland, Colton,
Redlands).
I need to see in writing how much these other cities are giving in this program. We must stop
giving away money to build up communities around us while our city becomes poverty stricken
and passed over for new business development. Everyone says our city has potential, I know
we have potential, all we need is for you, the council, to provide the leadership. I have seen it
in you, if would only stop arguing and fighting each other in public and focus on trusting
each other and believing in your staff.
According to your Finance Department Budget Report this city is in good financial shape. The Police
department is on a good roll with the new chief and even with the recently filed lawsuit highlighting
racial discrimination, it brought out into the open what I knew was going on. The streets and parks are
being cared for, so do not give our money to other communities. Let me conclude my comment with this
example. The city and school district defunded the San Bernardino Boys and Girls Club on 9th street; yet
the school district just gave the Redlands Boys and Girls Club $480,000.00 to provide services to our
youth, for one year.
Thank you, Hardy Brown, Ward 6. `