In partnership with the City of Birmingham, a fund has been opened at the Community Foundation to support the small businesses and storefronts that sustained damage due to the unrest following the peaceful protests on the evening of May 31. The Birmingham Business Relief Fund was launched on Monday afternoon.
Following a peaceful protest to pay respects to the slain George Floyd, and draw attention to vast injustices in the justice system, Birmingham experienced riots in the downtown Central Business District. Properties and storefronts were damaged and vandalized. Established in partnership with the City of Birmingham, Birmingham Business Alliance, Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, REV Birmingham and Urban Impact, this fund will support those small businesses and storefronts that were affected by the unrest.
“Many of these same business owners were gearing up to rebound from COVID-19 and have depleted savings, only to experience serious property damage that may not be covered under Business Interruption Insurance policies,” said Josh Carpenter, Director of Innovation and Economic Development at the City of Birmingham. “This Birmingham Business Relief Fund will give these entrepreneurs the opportunity to rebuild, repair and renew their operations.”