How Nashville’s small businesses are rebounding from pandemic disruptions

How are Nashville’s small businesses rebounding from the pandemic? The report card is mixed.

Metro recently handed out $9 million in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan, and more than 450 local businesses benefited. Yet, nearly twice that number applied and were unable to tap into the money before it ran out. That sent a clear message that the city’s small businesses still need support.

In this episode, we’ll hear from Pathway Lending, which works to get capital to underserved small businesses. Pathway also oversees the federal grants that make up the Nashville Small Business Recovery Fund — and while the grant money is finished, another pool of $9 million is still available in the form of low-interest loans.

We’ll also hear firsthand from three business owners — about their work, the difficulties they’ve faced, and the support programs they have (and haven’t) been able to access. Three of our guests are Latina business owners who have tapped into programs like Negocio Próspero at Conexión Américas and Avanzando through the Tennessee Latin American Chamber of Commerce.

But first, we’ll learn the latest about a police body camera footage dispute. Host Khalil Ekulona and WPLN criminal justice reporter Paige Pfleger will delve into the tension between the Metro Nashville Police Department and the Community Oversight Board, which investigates allegations of misconduct.

Guests:

• Thomas Sheffield, director of the Nashville Opportunity Fund through Pathway Lending
• Altagracia Buendia, owner of We Clean residential cleaning service
• Noelia Chinchilla Oliva, owner of Olive Plates Rental & Catering
• Becca Blank, business development chair with Voces De Nashville, a cooperatively owned company that teaches Spanish