Mayor announces ‘recovery fund’ for small businesses hit by Atlanta water crisis

A “recovery fund” intended to help small business owners affected by Atlanta’s water crisis is being created by the city.

Mayor Andre Dickens told the Atlanta City Council at its Monday meeting that the new recovery fund would help small businesses “hit hard” by the water problems that began Friday.

“We know the critical role our small businesses play in our lives and our economy and we ensure we have thriving neighbors,” Dickens told the council during a chamber appearance. “We want to help them get back on their feet if they were affected by these events this weekend.”

Major water main breaks in Vine City and Midtown paralyzed much of the city over the weekend, including many restaurants and other businesses that were forced to close their doors due to water outages or low pressure.

Councilmember Matt Westmoreland introduced the bill to create the recovery fund. It calls for up to $5 million in city funds to be transferred to Invest Atlanta, the city’s economic development agency.

Invest Atlanta would administer the money. Current legislation does not explain who would be eligible for financial assistance or how the funding would be distributed – as a loan or grant.

The mayor appeared before the council to thank members after approving his historic $853 million budget. He also addressed the city’s water crisis and told the council that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would be in Atlanta on Tuesday to help assess the city’s water system.

“They will be there with troops on the ground to help us,” he said. “We sought their help because they are the government entity with the most hands-on experience with the type of crisis we find ourselves in, with crumbling and aging infrastructure. »

Earlier in the meeting, City Council members asked Atlanta Department of Watershed Management Commissioner Al Wiggins what could be done to ensure the city’s water infrastructure would not fall into disrepair. breakdown again.

“On a macro level, we’re looking at a complete inspection of the entire water distribution system,” Wiggins said. “We just have to keep in mind that utility infrastructure is underground (under a road) and everything has a life cycle. »

Wiggins said the city is in the process of setting up a quality assurance team to go back and do more thorough repairs on major water main breaks.

He also said the city should look to contractors who partner with the municipal system for new developments to ensure certificates of occupancy are tied to a new water main connection.

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