The Star City Strong Recovery Fund Task Force met today for the first time since its creation by Roanoke City Council on June 15. Co-chaired by the Mayor and Vice-Mayor, the Task Force consists of 36 citizen members and receives staff support from the City Manager’s Office, the City Clerk’s Office, and the City Attorney’s Office. The Task Force is expected to meet weekly through the remainder of June and into July, with its recommendations provided to Council at their meeting on July 20.
The City has identified more than $7 million that may be available to support the community in its efforts at recovery from COVID-19-related issues, and to bolster its long-term resiliency to similar disruptions. Funding will come from a combination of local and federal funds set aside for COVID-19 responses. Mayor Sherman Lea stated, “It is so important at this time that we do all we can to help the community recover from the economic impacts we have seen as a result of COVID-19.”
At this first meeting, staff shared with the Task Force the funding sources, the restrictions that accompany each, and how other communities have indicated they will provide similar support. Ideas from other communities include further support for small businesses impacted by COVID-19, assistance for individuals that have become unemployed as a result of the virus, ensuring access to needed PPE for area organizations, etc. City Manager Bob Cowell stated, “It is essential that we move as quickly as practical in helping our residents and businesses as they address COVID-related impacts.”
The meeting was recorded and will be available for viewing, along with other information about the Task Force and the City’s ongoing efforts at responding to and recovering from COVID-19 and its impacts, at the Star City Strong webpage on the City’s website. The next meeting of the Task Force is scheduled for July 1.
If you have questions, please contact City Manager Bob Cowell at [email protected] or call 540-853-2333.
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