Bee Cave officials approve creation of program to allocate $2 million for small-business relief

Bee Cave City Council on April 14 continued discussions on a plan to inject $2 million into local small businesses experiencing massive financial losses due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Upon second reading of a resolution to create a program to distribute the funds that should be used to “retain existing jobs and promote new and expanded business development,” City Council voted to approve the program.

City Manager Clint Garza said the Bee Cave Economic Development Corp. will continue working on the plan, and during the April 14 City Council meeting, Council Member Jon Cobb praised the city's outreach to local businesses amid the crisis.

The plan originated from a three-part proposal from the Bee Cave Chamber of Commerce initially presented to the Bee Cave Economic Development Board on March 30 and City Council on March 31.

The $2 million allocation specifically addresses part two of the chamber’s proposal and focuses on two primary needs for small-business owners as the pandemic continues—taking care of employees and a continuing to pay rent.

“The cost would be small when compared to the cost of the lost economic activity if these small businesses do not reopen,” the chamber plan states. “The City could potentially use Economic Development funds to pay for the operation of this program if a ‘calamity’ is determined to exist.”