AUG 2013 – City News by Council Member Pat Gilbreath
It may be summer, but there are no lazy days here. The City continues to make progress in infrastructure rehabilitation, economic development and health and recreation opportunities for our residents.
The City’s streets are improving and looking great with road resurfacing and reconstruction under way and more to come. And Southern California Edison is continuing its efforts to upgrade the City’s electrical grid system to avoid business interruptions due to power outages and major disasters such as underground explosions. Last month SCE replaced three antiquated transformers in the historic downtown district in an effort to improve reliability. While a daylong power outage necessary to safely replace the equipment created some inconvenience, the work was done quickly and will allow residents and visitors to continue enjoying our wonderful downtown.
New businesses are opening and others keep growing. Yogurtland frozen yogurt has opened a new location on Orange Street between Rubio’s and Starbucks. Hopefully they will experience the outpouring of support from our citizens. We continually hear how new businesses are having exceptionally successful openings.
Epic Management has relocated their operations into a new 31,086-square-foot facility on Orange Tree Lane. We would expect this will generate new job opportunities as well. Moving can be so disruptive I am sure they must address the relocation before they think about expansion.
The City is offering assistance to businesses with Federal grant and loan programs. The first is the Microenterprise Grant Assistance Program (MAP). This grant does not require repayment and ranges from $5,000 up to $25,000 to purchase equipment or provide working capital.
The second program is the Economic Development Loan Program (EDLP). This loan program offers funding from $25,000 up to $150,000 for the creation of new jobs for low and moderate income folks. These loans have interest rates of 2 percent and periods of 5 to 15 years to repay.
These programs are part of the Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Funds and are limited to our annual allocation. City staff is currently reviewing applications received over the past two weeks. Once the review is complete, staff will determine if funds are still available and, if necessary, reopen the application process. Check the City’s website (http://www.cityofredlands.org/cdbg) to explore either of these grant or loan programs.
Healthy Redlands is alive and WELL! We are currently in the process of providing a morning summer camp at the Community Center. We have 100 children registered with about 30 children in attendance every day. Staff worked out an arrangement for Boys and Girls Club staff and their kids to come use our fabulous gym during this very hot summer and provide the exercise programs for our kids at the same time.
Healthy Redlands is also partnering with the Fire Department for Fire Prevention Week and we will be providing a Health Fair on Oct. 12 at Fire Station No. 1. If you are a health provider and wish to participate in a booth or hands-on demonstration please contact either me or Fire Chief Jeff Frazier to indicate your participation.
Remember to be safe and have an enjoyable rest of the Summer!