Durham small business owners come together to discuss recovery efforts after pandemic

Small business owners in Durham have formed a coalition after voicing concerns about the small business relief program recently proposed by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development.

Posted 3:14 a.m. May 30, 2020 — Updated 3:14 a.m. May 30, 2020

Lora Lavigne

, WRAL Durham reporter

DURHAM, N.C. — Small business owners in Durham have formed a coalition after voicing concerns about the small business relief program recently proposed by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development.

It was very important for Durham small businesses, like Empower Dance Studio, to have a seat at the table when discussing the right level of investment into the Durham community. Members of the coalition said the relief program has no rationale behind the proposed $1 million the city council settled on.

"It's frustrating as business owners to be in that position because we are working so hard," said Nicole Oxendine of Empower Dance Studio.

It’s a ticking time bomb for small business owners like Oxendine who are waiting to receive financial relief from the COVID-19 fallout.

“We are struggling and, at this point, as we kind of go into June ... our cash flows are limited," Oxendine said. "You know, we’re pretty much done at this point.”

Oxendine is preparing to close her studio. In efforts to keep the entrepreneurial spirit and small businesses alive in Durham, she rallied others with the coalition to request more from the city and county in a public forum.

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“The solution that we’re requesting from the city is $2 million dollars from the city and $2 million from the county,” Oxendine said.

With loan debt forecasted for the foreseeable future, they’re also requesting grants over loans.

“It has to come in the form of loans," Durham Mayor Steve Schewel said. "We need them to be long-term loans or very low interest loans.”

Schewel said he’s open-minded for suggestions on how to improve the program moving forward. However, he believes support must come from other sectors as well.

“The city has allocated $1 million and Duke has allocated $1 million," Schewel said. "We hope the county will help. We need more private funders to step up.”

City leaders and staff, taking everything into consideration, say they are committed to delivering the final version of this support program finalized by June 4.

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