Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 18, 2021
Subject
SUBJECT: EXPANDING METRO'S EAT SHOP PLAY PROGRAM TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND RESTORE RIDERSHIP
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE report on the expansion of Metro's Eat, Shop, Play Program.
Issue
ISSUE
Small businesses have been disproportionately impacted by the public health measures that have been in place to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 over the last year and a half. With 93 percent of businesses in Los Angeles County having less than 20 employees, Metro has an opportunity to aid with economic recovery by promoting these small businesses along transit corridors in communities that the pandemic has most impacted.
Several plans and programs currently exist to help support recovery efforts. To best leverage resources, Metro's partnership with existing programs serving LA County will be considered. To convey and support the level of urgency for recovery efforts - programs like the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation's Together for LA, and funding from State and Federal resources can be used to augment and expand programming that supports small businesses that have been disproportionately devastated by COVID-19.
Background
BACKGROUND
At the July 22, 2021, Regular Board Meeting, the Board approved a motion (Attachment A) to expand the ESP program to support economic recovery and restore ridership. The Board requested for Metro to report back in November 2021 with the following:
A. Focusing on small businesses located near existing major transit stops in communities whom the pandemic has disproportionately impacted. Communities should be identified by referencing factors including, but not limited to, number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, economic impacts, household income, transit dependency, pollution burden, and race/ethnicity, and other resources such as redlining maps;
B. Developing additional s...
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