The Atlanta City Council is set to vote Monday on a $5 million water relief fund aimed at aiding small businesses still reeling from the recent water outages.
Impact of Water Main Breaks
The water service has been restored, but the effects of two major water main breaks that began on May 31 are still being felt. The breaks in Midtown and Vine City left many without water for days, forcing some small businesses to close or adapt their operations.
“I would say I lost close to about $3,000. I’m a small businessman already hanging on a vine right now,” said Lance Robertson, co-owner of SBD+, to FOX 5 Atlanta.
Relief Fund Proposal
Following the completion of repairs, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced a $5 million relief fund for affected businesses.
“This ordinance will allow us to provide some support to institute a program at Invest Atlanta to provide support to Atlanta small businesses that have been adversely affected by this weekend’s events regarding the disruption in water service. We want to help them regain their footing,” Dickens said.
While the relief fund is expected to help, experts warn it may not cover all losses for small businesses.
“They may be covered cents on the dollar, maybe 25 cents or maybe 10 cents on the dollar. Certainly helpful, but it probably is not going to cover everything. But then again, it would be very difficult, I think, for the city to come up with funds to cover everybody’s potential losses,” explained Emory University finance professor Tom Smith.
If approved, applications for the fund will open on Monday, June 24, and close on July 8. The city and Invest Atlanta will host a webinar at 5 a.m. on Monday to discuss the plan.
Efforts to Improve Atlanta’s Water System
Concerns about future water main breaks persist due to the city’s aging infrastructure. To address this, the city plans to install devices at valves that can electronically detect and report leaks, according to Department of Watershed Management Commissioner Al Wiggins Jr. This pilot program was planned before the recent leaks. The city will also increase inspections and repair malfunctioning valves.
Mayor Dickens announced a broader effort to review the city’s water system, involving assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a panel led by former Mayor Shirley Franklin and Metro Atlanta Chamber CEO Katie Kirkpatrick. He is also considering reprioritizing the city’s capital improvement plans to focus on water system upgrades.
Dickens emphasized the need for more federal funding but warned that the cost could be substantial.
“I want us to be the example of solving it — all of it. And that’s going to be a number that’s in the B — billions. It’s not going to be a small number,” Dickens said. “But I think that that will give our residents more confidence.”
Voter Support for Improvements
Atlanta voters have shown support for water system improvements, recently approving a continuation of a 1-cent sales tax to fund water and sewer upgrades.
Stay Informed
Residents and business owners are encouraged to stay informed about the latest developments and participate in the upcoming webinar to understand how to apply for the relief fund and navigate the ongoing improvements to the city’s water infrastructure.
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