On Wednesday, April 29, Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. announced three initiatives to assist Little Rock residents in the battle against COVID-19: a weekend drive-thru testing site, in partnership with UAMS and the Consulate of Mexico in Little Rock; mask distribution at Little Rock Kroger Co. and Edwards Food Giant stores and homeless shelters; and $500,000 in zero-interest loans for small businesses.

UAMS will hold drive-thru testing on Saturday, May 2, 2020 from 10am to 2pm at the Southwest Community Center parking lot, 6401 Baseline Rd. Interpreters will be present to assist Spanish speakers. UAMS physicians will conduct screenings to determine if an individual needs to be tested. Those who are tested will receive test results by phone (results take several days to come back). Those who are not tested will be given instructions on how to take care of themselves at home.

“Thank you to UAMS for recognizing the need to increase testing in our City,” Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. said. “Communities of color in Arkansas and the nation are experiencing a disproportionate share of incidences of COVID-19, and increased testing in areas that are predominately black and brown is crucial in ensuring we are providing the necessary services to slow and stop the spread of the virus. We are greatly appreciative of our partner grocers, Kroger and Edwards, as we launch our mask distribution efforts in vulnerable communities. And our small business emergency assistance program will help fill in the gap for those business owners that have had reduced or no income since our City’s first instance of COVID-19 community spread. Thank you to Housing and Neighborhood Programs and our congressional delegation for their work in making these funds available for this program.”

The City of Little Rock will partner with Kroger and Edwards Food Giant to provide reusable masks to disadvantaged communities. Beginning Friday, May 8, residents will be able to pick up a mask and instructions on proper use, while supplies last, at the following Kroger locations:

• 6420 Colonel Glenn
• 8824 Geyer Springs
• 1100 E. Roosevelt

Masks will be available at the follow Edwards stores:

• 1701 Main Street
• 7525 Baseline Rd.

Homeless shelters that need masks for residents should email lrcares@littlerock.gov.

Thirdly, the City has developed an emergency relief program, funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act from the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant Program. Small businesses, including sole proprietorships, corporations, or limited liability corporations, that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 may apply for a forgivable loan up to $5,000 at zero interest. There are no payments during the first year. If jobs are retained, created, or restored and still exist after one year, the loan is forgiven upon verification. Other requirements include:

• Must be listed in the dataset of active businesses registered in Little Rock
• Must either have been in business more than two years and have 20 or fewer employees
• Or be a for-profit micro-enterprise business with five or fewer employees including the owner and owner must earn a household annual income up to or less than 80% of the area median income
• Applicant must be a directly affected small business or micro-enterprise business identified in Governors Proclamation E.O. 20-13, dated April 4, 2020
• Must have documented business income loss, including business income comparisons and narrative description of impacts

The City will begin accepting applications on Monday, May 4. The public will be able to find and complete the application at LittleRock.gov/covid19 by clicking the Small Businesses button. Questions may be directed to Doris Turner at 501-371-6825 or dturner@littlerock.gov.

About the City of Little Rock’s Response to COVID-19

Residents may visit LittleRock.gov/covid19 for all information about the City’s efforts related to COVID- 19, including the newly created Small Business Emergency Assistance Program. Volunteers are needed to assist with the grab-and-go feeding efforts for vulnerable populations, including students and seniors.

Sign up at LittleRock.gov/volunteer. The Little Rock Cares Emergency Relief Fund benefits the grab-

and-go feeding effort and the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE). Donations of PPE are also accepted. Donate here or visit LittleRock.gov/covid19 and click on the Little Rock Cares Emergency Relief Fund button. Follow the City of Little Rock on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @CityLittleRock.