Search

A SPIRIT THAT IS NOT AFRAID

Search
Home
Coronavirus
Community
Sports
Campus
Lifestyle
Opinion
Blogs
Video
Photo
Audio
About Us
Classifieds
Advertise

Auburn's News Source

The Auburn Plainsman

Tuesday, January 19, 2021 Print Edition

Send a News Tip
Donate
  • Coronavirus
  • Community
  • Campus
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Opinion
  • Video
  • Photo
  • About Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Community
  • Campus
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Opinion
  • Video
  • Photo
  • Audio
  • Blogs
  • About Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise

5/5/2020, 8:33pm

City approves loan interest subsidies for small businesses

By Charlie Ramo | Community Reporter
City approves loan interest subsidies for small businesses
Contributed by the City of Auburn

Auburn City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 4, 2019.

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Mail
  • Print

The Auburn City Council approved applications for a recently initiated program to assist small businesses in Auburn during their Tuesday night meeting.

To help businesses recover from reduced sales, the City recently extended a loan interest subsidy to Auburn small businesses. Five applications for the subsidy program were submitted, and all five applicants were approved unanimously at the meeting, held via Zoom video conference.

Ward 6 Council member Jay Hovey abstained for loans involving Auburn Bank, his workplace.

Mayor Ron Anders took time during his announcements to reflect on the tragedies that have affected Lee County over the past two years and how the City is addressing the current pandemic. 

“In last March, we had a terrible tragedy that happened in our county, where 23 people lost their lives,” Anders said. “This March, we had the beginning of a health crisis, whereas today our county has lost 28 citizens, seven of those from Auburn.”

As East Alabama Medical Center has seen a decrease in cases recently, Anders said he feels the City's businesses need to begin to reopen. Anders said he and the other mayors of Alabama's 10 largest cities collectively sent Ivey a letter asking her to reconsider the continued closure of restaurants and barbershops which were not allowed to fully open under the state's new safer-at-home order.

“Today, it’s obvious to me that many of our small businesses and small restaurants in our community need to be opened,” Anders said. “I believe that the time is now for the rest of our businesses to be open.”


Sign up for our newsletter

Get The Plainsman straight to your inbox.


Anders believes officials in Montgomery are currently working towards the reopening of more businesses. The City does not have the authority to reopen businesses ahead of Ivey's orders.

“Our finances at the City of Auburn rely mostly on sales tax and occupational license fees, which means our two major sources of income are among the most heavily hit,” Anders said. “All this impacts the funds available for public safety, City schools, parks and recreation, street resurfacing and repairs and any City services.”

Anders said the city manager's office is reviewing City expenditures and looking for ways to help those who have lost their jobs during the pandemic. However, more information will help the City get a better understanding of its finances. Financial data from April will allow the City to evaluate how finances have been affected by business closure and quarantine, said City Manager Jim Buston.

During the Committee of the Whole before the City Council meeting, the Council planed to vote on extending the student housing moratorium currently in place. The vote will take place at the next City Council meeting.

The moratorium restricts the construction of private dormitories and academic detached dwelling units within Auburn city limits. It was originally intended to last only 90 days past the day it was enacted, Feb. 18.

The Council approved the payment of an outside panel to assess and promote individuals within the Auburn Fire Division. Auburn shares the responsibility of these assessment panels, both using them for promotions and sending Auburn public safety staff to serve on boards, said public safety director Paul Register. Payment for the assessment panels totaled $18,000 plus travel fees. 

Ward 2 Council member Kelley Griswold was the only Council member who opposed the agenda item. Griswold wanted to know why the Auburn Fire Division requires an outside entity to promote individuals instead of allowing promotions to be handled via an internal department. Buston explained the City was sued in 1991 over promotions within AFD. The court ruling requires the City use an outside entity to promote individuals, and the City is bound by the decree unless it returns to court to remove it.

Ward 4 Council member Brett Smith called in to the Council meeting from East Alabama Medical Center, where he said he is expecting a baby. He asked that the Council draft a resolution thanking hospital employees and staff, which will be voted on at their May 19 meeting.

Share

Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.

Support The Plainsman

Charlie Ramo | Community Reporter



Related Stories

East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, Ala. on Thursday, June 16, 2016. 

EAMC reports rise in COVID hospitalizations after holidays

By My Ly | Assistant Community Editor

Unique Thompson (20) shoots over Natalie Armstrong (45) during the game between Auburn and Samford at Auburn Arena on Nov 28, 2020; Auburn, AL, USA. Photo via: Shanna Lockwood/AU Athletics

Tigers fall to Gators 68-54

By Dylan Fox | Sports Writer

Coffee at Cater/Jan 11, 2021/Ashton Scott

‘Cup at Cater’ promotes awareness of human trafficking

By Emma Kirkemier | Campus Reporter


The Auburn Plainsman welcomes thoughtful discussion on all of our stories, but please keep comments civil and on-topic.


Editor's Picks


1/15/2021, 4:52pm

Auburn University extends remote operations through Jan. 31

By Collins Keith | Assistant Campus Editor

1/15/2021, 12:31pm

Auburn softball's SEC schedule released


1/14/2021, 11:18am

Thank You, Gus


1/14/2021, 10:30am

Public library puppet shows take to the virtual stage


Virtual Print Edition


Plainsman Podcasts

The Auburn Plainsman To Homepage
  • About
  • Contact
  • Archives
  • Advertise
  • Letters

All Rights Reserved

© Copyright 2021 The Auburn Plainsman

Powered by Solutions by The State News.