Monterey Park City Council Sends Heartfelt Condolences to Nashville Community, Condemns Gun Violence

Issued on March 28.

The Monterey Park City Council is greatly saddened by Monday’s tragic school shootings at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee and offers our deepest condolences and sympathies to the Nashville community.

The City Council’s hearts go out to the victims’ families, friends and coworkers, as well as the entire Nashville community, as we stand together to mourn the victims and condemn this act of senseless gun violence.

Mayor Jose Sanchez reflected, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families of the school shooting in Nashville as they work to bind the wounds of their community. As a parent and classroom teacher, my heart and thoughts are with the victims’ parents and the teaching community as they grieve and work towards rebuilding their community.”

SBA Offering Disaster Assistance to MPK Small Businesses Impacted by the Mass Shooting

Reported on April 10

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses and private nonprofit organizations economically impacted by the Monterey Park mass shooting and related investigations from January 21-28, 2023.

“The SBA fully recognizes the adverse human and economic impact this tragic event has imposed on the Monterey Park community,” said SBA Associate Administrator Francisco Sanchez, Jr. “The assistance we provide through federal disaster loans to business owners and private nonprofits will help the healing process and foster overall recovery.”

Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses, which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.

These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that can’t be paid because of the mass shooting’s impact. In addition, disaster loans can provide vital economic assistance to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.

Eligibility is based on the financial impact of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage. These loans have an interest rate of 3.305% for small businesses and 2.375% for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years and are restricted to small businesses without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.

The Pasadena Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers free, personalized counseling in English, Chinese, Spanish, and other languages to help affected businesses recover. Businesses may contact them at 626-585-3106 or SBDC@Pasadena.edu. Businesses are encouraged to call or email first for an appointment.

Businesses may apply online, receive additional EIDL information, and download application forms at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/.  Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on the EIDL program.

The deadline to apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan is January 5, 2024

U.S. SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman recently announced a policy change granting 12 months of no payments and 0% interest. This policy change pertains to all disaster loans approved in response to disasters declared on or after September 21, 2022, through September 30, 2023. This includes the SBA EIDL loan for Monterey Park.

For more information, please contact the City of Monterey Park Economic Development Division at 626-307-1385 or econdev@montereypark.ca.gov.

Monterey Park City Council Sends Message of Support to Louisville Community

Reported on April 11

The Monterey Park City Council is again saddened to learn about another senseless mass shooting, this time in downtown Louisville, Kentucky.

The Council’s hearts and prayers are with the wounded, their family and friends, and mourns with the Louisville community the lives of those lost.

“The City Council sends our deep condolences to the victims’ families and sends support to the City of Louisville, the Louisville Metro Police and the first responders, as we condemn these cowardly acts of gun violence,“ said Mayor Jose Sanchez.