Mayor Singh-Allen seeks out small businesses encouraging them to apply for grants

Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen (left) with Ladd Casillas, co-owner of Rescate Coffee
discuss the Elk Grove COVID-19 Business Recover Grant Program. | 



In a person-to-person outreach effort, Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen has started to visit small businesses in Elk Grove to promote a business recovery grant program.

The program, funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), seeks to provide grant money to small businesses negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and is locally administered by the City of Elk Grove. 

As part of her efforts, Singh-Allen has committed to personally visit at least 100 small, independently owned businesses in Elk Grove, most of which are single-location entities, and providing information about the program. Singh-Allen started her visits last week and is about halfway to reach her goal.

During visits this morning, the first-term mayor visited five businesses and provided each with an information brochure offer multi-lingual instructions. The businesses visited this morning reflected the city's diversity, are owned by members of the African-American, Asian-American, and LGBTQ communities. 

During last year's grant program, Singh-Allen noted during the first visit to Savvy Coffee many local small business owners were unaware of the program. Also, while some owners were aware, they did not understand the process.

"If they are aware, they will apply," she said. After visiting Savvy Coffee, Singh-Allen visited a nearby nail salon and restaurant. 

Another business visited by the mayor was Rescate Coffee on the city's far west side. Here the mayor was greeted by co-owner Ladd Casillas who noted he had already applied. Additionally, he said noted the ease of the application.

"I think it is fantastic," Casillas said. "I have applied, and it is super easy. It took only 20 minutes to apply." 

When not conducting city business during city council meetings, Singh-Allen maintains informal communication insisting people call her Bobbie. During the visits, Singh-Allen introduced herself as Mayor Bobbie, and in a couple of instances, patrons in the businesses shouted out hey Bobbie. 

In between visits, Singh-Allen discussed the highly anticipated decision by California Assemblymember Jim Cooper to either seek another term or run for Sacramento County Sheriff and all of its political implications, said her focus remains on the city. Singh-Allen said voters willing, she hopes to serve several two-year terms as Elk Grove mayor.

The last visit Singh-Allen made during her morning swing was Rescate neighboring business, Tea Rex. Inside the tea and sandwich shop, Singh-Allen was greeted by owner Gina Ko, who the mayor urged to apply for the funds. 

After passing along the information and exchanging pleasantries, Ho said, "I am really touched the mayor came here." 
 
More information about the grant program is available here. 



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D.J. Blutarsky said...

Be sure to stop off at Mail & More on Laguna as well!

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