The Springfield City Council on Tuesday advanced an ordinance amending the rules to grants to business and housing programs funded by cannabis sales tax revenue.
The new ordinance introduced by Ward 2 Alderman Shawn Gregory during Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting would allow for direct vendor payment options for recipients.
Grant amounts are up to $25,000 for minority-owned businesses and $10,000 for homes in certain areas of the city.
The existing reimbursement system for the grant program has been extensively debated in recent months, with critics arguing it limits access for small community organizations.
Ward 3 Alderman Roy Williams Jr. said the grant program has a limited scope.
The council placed the ordinance on next week’s debate agenda.
