Our county faces a climate emergency, and the Back Bay Coastal Storm Risk Study has sparked important community conversations about major decisions we must make to adapt in the face of rising seas and become a more resilient county and region.
While I believe the draft plan needs to address equitable protection for all communities and place much more emphasis on nature-based solutions, it's an important opportunity for collaboration with Federal and State partners that can bring down billions of dollars in storm protection.
We are also keeping a close eye on now-Tropical Storm Laura, which may impact South Florida by late Sunday or early next week. Now is a great moment to review the hurricane preparedness guide, make sure you have basic supplies on hand, and download the ReadyMDC app on iPhone orAndroid for updates.
As always, don't hesitate to reach out to our office with any questions at 305-378-6677 or [email protected].
Yours in community,
Daniella
This week #Team8 teamed up with Be Strong International, Palmetto Bay Mayor Karyn Cunningham, and Representative Vance Aloupis to distribute school supplies and protective equipment to South Dade families in need.
Black Business Month
Supporting Black-owned business
August is Black Business Month and we are continuing to highlight Black-owned businesses here in our community.
Entrepreneur Carline Phanor is the owner and creator of Men P'aw award-winning hot sauce. Her family moved from Haiti to New York City, where she grew up; she traveled back to Haiti during college and fell in love, deciding to relocate permanently. In the midst of political turmoil she moved to Miami in 1991 and now lives in Palmetto Bay. Men Pa’w hot sauce is available throughout the U.S., Canada, Italy, and Haiti and has been featured in Bon Appetit. #BlackBusinessMonth #BuyBlack
Helping Businesses through Innovation
COVID-19 micro-grants
Creative thinking is key to helping our community and particularly small businesses innovate and survive this crisis. This week I was proud to join North Bay Village Mayor Brent Latham as the village awarded micro-grants to restaurants to retrofit outdoor spaces for customers.
COVID-19 Community Update
RELIEF PROGRAM UPDATES
New programs providing COVID-19 relief recently opened applications:
The SOBEWFF® & FIU Chaplin School Hospitality Industry Relief Fund, created with $5 million in CARES Act funds from Miami-Dade County, will provide support to employees of independently owned and operated restaurants, hotel restaurants, bars, and caterers impacted by the pandemic. Learn more and apply.
Hotel employees who have been furloughed or lost their jobs can apply for the Hotel Worker Relief Grant Program, a partnership of Miami-Dade County, Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association, and Miami Dade College. The program will award stipends of up to $1,000 to impacted hotel workers who complete a training workshop. Apply here.
Round two of the Miami-Dade Arts Support (MÁS!) Grants Program, created with $10M in CARES Act funds, supports artists and arts and cultural organizations. Individual artists should apply here; organizations can apply here and must also complete one of six grant workshops prior to applying.
