Richmond Business Recovery Action Plan
HR&A collaborated with the City of Richmond to develop inclusive recovery principles and a comprehensive Business Recovery Action Plan targeting small and locally-owned businesses. Our approach identified critical recovery needs, streamlined access to resources, and established actionable strategies that the City continues to implement, including expanded grant programs and improved service delivery for underserved business owners.
Richmond’s small businesses needed targeted support during economic recovery, particularly businesses owned by people of color who were reluctant to take on additional debt in an uncertain environment after the pandemic. HR&A conducted a comprehensive analysis of recovery needs and available resources, developing actionable recommendations that expanded grant programs and removed barriers to accessing City services. We identified opportunities to leverage federal recovery dollars for workforce development while emphasizing solutions that could advance meaningfully within six months and align with principles of equitable recovery.
The resulting Business Recovery Action Plan prioritized achievable six-month milestones aligned with equity principles, leading to tangible outcomes including the establishment of a new Economic Development Working Group and development of buy-local initiatives. HR&A continues supporting the City with implementing the plan through multi-stakeholder facilitation and long-term economic development strategy. The City’s ongoing commitment to underserved residents led to HR&A’s subsequent retention for community-centered allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds, demonstrating the sustained impact of our collaborative approach to inclusive economic recovery.
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