A Message From Mayor Stimpson May 6, 2020
May 6th, 2020
Good evening,
It is 9 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6 and I am writing to give you an update on the City of Mobile's efforts regarding COVID-19.
As of tonight, there are 1,311 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Mobile County, out of 9,923 total tests. There are 76 deaths attributed to the virus.
COVID-19 remains our top priority and our team is fully focused on defeating this threat to our community. It's a battle we are fighting on multiple fronts. First and foremost, Coronavirus is a public health crisis unlike anything we've ever seen. Our goal is to minimize the threat to you and your loved ones.
But it's also an economic crisis, and it is having a devastating effect on our small businesses and thousands of citizens who have been thrown out of work. It is heartbreaking to hear their stories. Every day that passes, they find themselves one step closer to bankruptcy and the prospect of losing businesses that many of them have spent their lifetimes building.
It is our belief that these businesses should be allowed to re-open under rigorous guidelines to protect their employees and customers alike. We have made our recommendations known to the Governor's office and state health officials. But I must emphasize that the state's current "Safer at Home" order keeps close-contact businesses like barber shops, beauty salons and restaurants closed until May 15.
In interviews with the media and in conversations with business owners, I'm often asked if we intend to defy the order, as some cities and counties are doing around the state. My simple answer is that we respect the rule of law. As elected officials, we swear an oath to uphold the Constitution and we have a responsibility to honor the offices we hold.
We can only imagine the pressure the Governor is under to make these decisions on behalf of the entire state. I can say with confidence that she is listening and her Administration is working hard to find a way for businesses to re-open. I believe that day is coming soon. Until then, we must do all in our power to support each other and hold on until the order is lifted.
That's why we launched a new program to provide grants to businesses that have been forced to close under state order, but unable to receive federal or state assistance. Our "Ignite Mobile" program began taking applications today and already is having a positive impact, as it is creating hope for those business owners in desperate need of a lifeline.
We heard from one barber shop owner today who filled out his application and was able to submit it in less than 5 minutes. That's encouraging because we want the process to be easy. We will work overtime to review the applications and have the checks ready to distribute as soon as we receive approval from the Mobile City Council, which we hope will occur at their next meeting on May 12.
While we keep up the fight against COVID-19, the work of the City is ongoing. Today we received tremendous news that the City of Mobile was approved for a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to continue our work to redevelop the historic Africatown community.
Specifically, this grant will allow us to conduct "brownfield" assessments of a series of sites in Africatown that formerly housed an industrial plant, sawmill and public housing project.
These funds will add momentum for economic development and improve the quality of life for surrounding neighborhoods. For the first time in decades, the future is bright in Africatown, and we are grateful to the EPA for supporting this transformative project.
As I close tonight, I'm very optimistic about the progress our country is making toward the development of a vaccine and the improvements in testing capability for our citizens. We know so much more today than we did just six weeks ago.
The days are still long and many difficult decisions still remain ahead of us. Thankfully, the worst-case predictions have not come to pass. We have the power to reduce the chance of a resurgence if we all use common sense and take responsibility to protect ourselves and our neighbors.
Sincerely,
Mayor Sandy Stimpson