Oklahoma City Leaders To Vote On Emergency Aid For Small Businesses

COVID-19's wrath has been devastating to small businesses.

So, Oklahoma City leaders are offering help to those on the brink of closing.

Tuesday, City Council will consider a $5.5 million dollar emergency relief program for small businesses.

It will offer no interest and low interest loans- along with incentives for keeping employees.

The money will come from a program approved by voters in 2017 designed to create jobs with incentives.

“We wanted to make sure we have something in place to make sure our smallest businesses got through the next six weeks,” said Cathy O’Conner, president of the Alliance for Economic Development.

The Alliance for Economic Development said the plan will help businesses apply for federal assistance as well.

That help that will likely take longer to receive.

City Council is expected to vote on the proposal Tuesday.

It is the first emergency aid package directly from Oklahoma City city government to local businesses in modern history.