Despite an interruption of their virtual meeting that went viral, Kalamazoo city officials approved the creation of a small business loan fund.
Social distancing, in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, prompted the Kalamazoo City Commission to meet through the Zoom app. During the meeting, people who reportedly accessed the meeting through a game forum site “Zoom-bombed” it with racist or antisemitic comments.
The unanimously approved Kalamazoo Small Business Loan Fund (KSBLF) will aid businesses affected by the pandemic. A news release issued a day before the vote said the city commission will enter into an agreement with the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region to administer the KSBLF for its duration.
MLive reported that the fund would provide urgent relief to small businesses via low-interest loans of between $5,000 and $50,000, with approval and disbursement expected in a matter of days.
Businesses can use the money for operational expenses, payroll and benefits.
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