The Greater Omaha Chamber (omahachamber.org) has launched a business resiliency fund to support target small businesses during streetcar construction.
The Midtown Small Business Resiliency Fund (omahachamber.org/greateromaha-chamber-launches-midtown-small-business-resiliency-fund/) will distribute about $1 million, to qualifying businesses that have been most significantly impacted by utilities work to date and will be affected once rail construction begins. Funds for distribution were given to the Chamber by a donor for the Chamber to distribute. The first distributions started in mid-August and are targeted to businesses most severely impacted in the corridor west of Turner Boulevard on Farnam Street.
“The Greater Omaha Chamber is proud to launch the Midtown Small Business Resiliency Fund,” said Heath Mello, President & CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber. “At the donor’s request, the Chamber will serve as administrator of this fund, which will provide critical support to businesses west of Turner Boulevard along Farnam Street. This fund was created after listening closely to small businesses that are experiencing the greatest and longest disruptions from streetcar construction.”
“While we are already seeing the economic development the streetcar is bringing, we also acknowledge and stand ready to help the businesses that are most affected from this period of disruption,” said Mello. “The streetcar will be a boon for Omaha’s economy and vibrancy, and the resiliency fund reflects our commitment to easing the temporary hardships that come with this progress.” For more information on the fund, visit omahachamber.org/greateromaha-chamber-launches-midtown-small-business-resiliency-fund/.