Thursday, November 19, 2020 | Louisville, KY
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Updates and News
+Small Business Grant Program helps 824 businesses
Louisville Forward’s Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program has helped mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by providing grants, totaling $27.1 million, to 824 small businesses. Since Louisville Forward began accepting applications on July 1, they received a total of 1,286 applications from small businesses.
Businesses requested between $845 and $50,000; and the average approved grant amount was $32,888. Businesses that received the relief grant are located in every council district in Jefferson County. Of the grant dollars awarded, 28% went to minority-owned businesses, and 33.8% went to women-owned businesses.
“I continue to urge Congress to return to the negotiating table and pass additional relief measures to aid our nation’s small businesses. It is clear that more assistance is needed as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic and weather the resulting economic impacts,” said Mayor Greg Fischer.
Learn more about the businesses that received funds through the Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant here.
+ District 21 Participatory Budgeting Project Survey 2020
Did you know every Metro Council Office receives funding annually to support neighborhood development efforts and area nonprofits? In Fiscal Year 2021, the amount was $65,000 per district.
Would you like to influence how a portion of that funding is spent?
Please take a few minutes to:
- Take this survey to lend your voice to drive decision making, both short and long term
- Learn about participatory budgeting
- Offer contributions by volunteering
Who can participate in this survey?
Residents living in District 21 can submit ideas for the process. This includes the following neighborhoods and areas: Beechmont; Iroquois; City of Lynnview; North Audubon; Preston Park; Southland Park; Southside; Trinity Park and Evergreen Manor; Camp Taylor South, and Colonial Square Cooperative.
Will my responses be kept confidential?
Yes. Names will be separated from the data before data is shared. Your records will be reviewed by the Office of District 21 and McNary Group, who is administering the survey. During the survey, you can opt into sharing your contact information if you wish to stay connected.
Questions? Contact District 21 Councilwoman Nicole George’s Office (502) 574-1121. Nicole.George@louisvilleky.gov and Rachel.Roarx@louisvilleky.gov
Take the survey here
If you are a resident living in another district or don't know your councilperson, you can find and contact your councilperson here to learn about how you can influence your district's spending.
+ KY Guidance for Celebrating Thanksgiving
Like many things this year, Thanksgiving will be different this fall. Families are encouraged to refrain from hosting large gatherings as they increase the risks of spreading COVID-19. Instead of traveling, staying home is the safest way to prevent the spread.
Consider fun alternatives that pose lower risks for those members of the family who are vulnerable to the virus. Virtual celebrations, shopping online, and holding a small dinner with only people who live in your household will pose the lowest risk of COVID-19. Please visit the Kentucky Covid-19 and CDC websites for guidance on how to stay safe during the holidays.
Learn more about the Kentucky guidance for celebrating thanksgiving and activities that pose the lowest and highest risks here.
+ BBB November 2020 Hot Topics
More consumers will likely be doing their holiday shopping online this year, due to COVID-19. If you are shopping online, be sure you go to websites you can trust. Also, be sure your anti-virus software is up-to-date. And, don’t forget to check out those refund/exchange policies and shipping dates! Here are a few scams to be aware of:
- Scam artists are posing as the Social Security Administration, telling local consumers their social security number and driver's license are going to be blocked because of a legal warrant. Don’t fall for it!
- A local consumer lost $5,000 in a crypto currency scam after he wired money to what he thought was a legit bitcoin wallet. The site kept asking for additional money for account upgrades. The consumer was contacted by the fake company through Facebook. That’s a red flag!
- A fake UPS text asks you to answer 5 questions about a recent delivery. A local consumer received the text and was offered a free iPad if the questions were answered. The catch? The consumer had to pay a $19.63 fee for shipping and handling. Now the scammer has his debit card information.
- Scammers are posing as Apple Support, telling victims their icloud account has been compromised. One local consumer says he was told to log into his computer, go to a website, and enter personal information. If you think there might be a problem with your icloud account, contact Apple directly.
- Don’t fall for survey scams. A special deal for a well-known brand appears in your email or in an online ad. Just “click here” for a coupon. When you click, you are “one of the lucky few” and to qualify for a bigger deal (and a special gift), just complete the quick survey. In the end, you are asked to pay a nominal shipping fee for the gift and you’ve given your credit card info to scammers.
- Trying to lower the interest rate on your home loan? Don’t fall for a mortgage modification scam. Scammers call, asking for up-front fees to pay for the modification. Hang up the phone and call a company you can trust. Check out bbb.org.
- There is a new outbreak of fake services offering to handle your address change notifications. They massively overcharge and, in some cases, use the payment information you provide for identity theft. Save yourself time and money by visiting the real USPS at usps.com.
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Fake rental listings are all over Craigslist. They claim to be moving, or are out of state, and are unable to give viewings due to COVID-19. The scammers tell the victim to secure the house, an application needs to be filled out (with personal information) and a wire deposit must be made.
- Don’t be a skimming victim. Thieves attach a device in front of card readers to steal information from credit cards. There is an increase in this scam at gas pumps because many readers still use the old magnetic swipe strip, which were supposed to be phased out (but have not been yet, due to COVID-19). If you pay at the pump, check the reader for signs of tampering. Or, better yet, use a card with a security chip or pay with cash!
+ LIHEAP applications now being accepted
Louisville Metro's Office of Resilience and Community Services is accepting applications for assistance through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), now through December 11, or until funds are depleted.
LIHEAP is designed to help low-income Kentuckians offset their home heating costs. Eligibility and the amount of assistance is based on a household’s income and primary fuel type. Households who have an income up to 150% of the Federal Poverty Line can apply. The assistance is paid directly to the utility provider.
Appointments also are being accepted for the new Healthy at Home Utility Assistance Fund designed to assist people in danger of losing their natural gas, water, wastewater, or electricity. Households who have an income up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Line and have been economically impacted due to COVID-19 can apply. Households can receive assistance for the minimum needed to alleviate the water and wastewater crisis up to $500.
LIHEAP is funded by a pass-through block grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Healthy at Home Utility Relief Fund is made possible by a $15 million allocation by Governor Andy Beshear in federal COVID-19 relief funds for at-risk Kentuckians.
Appointments are required in advance to apply for both programs.
Learn more
+ JCPS Meal Pickup Schedule Changes
Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) meal sites will undergo several scheduling changes in November in observance of holidays:
- The new evening pick-up time will be 3 - 5 p.m. at the sites currently offering evening meal distribution:
- Butler Traditional High School
- Carrithers Middle School
- Eastern High School
- Greathouse Shryock Traditional Elementary School
- Roosevelt-Perry Elementary School
- Male High School
- Seneca High School
- Valley High School
- Westport Middle School
- Farnsley Elementary School will no longer offer evening meals.
On Thursday, Nov. 19, JCPS Nutritional Services will distribute a special Thanksgiving meal and on Tuesday, Nov. 24, families will receive five of each meal for every child to cover them for the holiday break.
Since Sept. 1, the 130 meal sites at schools across the district have served an average of 16,800 children each Tuesday and Thursday. The number of children served has steadily increased each week.
Click here for a list of schools distributing meals from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday.
+ JCPS registration open, closes December 16
The JCPS School Choice Registration and Application period for the 2021-22 school year runs through Wednesday, December 16.
Due to social distancing guidelines, JCPS will not be hosting its regular Showcase of Schools or in-person open houses at schools. Instead, all elementary, middle, and high schools will help families explore their school choice options by hosting virtual open houses that offer both a video introduction to the school and a live question and answer session. The virtual open houses will take place on each school’s Facebook page according to this schedule.
If you need assistance with completing the registration or application process, you may consider making an appointment at the JCPS 360° Student and Family Support Center at Humana. You can also contact JCPS at (502) 485-6250 or askstudentassignment@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Learn more
+ Western Library Socially Distant Services
Western Library, 604 S. 10th St., is now offering in-person computer use by appointment, and curbside pick-up. You can call (502) 574-1779 or visit lfpl.org/appointment for an in-person computer use appointment. Call (502) 574-1611 or visit lfpl.org/curbside to schedule a curbside pick-up appointment.
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