Olivia Lewis, a local food truck owner, had anticipated using the grant money to cover her food truck payments and keep her business afloat. However, she and other food truck owners in Oklahoma City have been left feeling deceived and potentially facing the jeopardy of their businesses.
These owners had applied for an accelerator program offered by the Alliance for Economic Development for Oklahoma City, which was intended to empower them with personalized coaching and business management skills.
The program also offered the opportunity to apply for an $8,000 grant funded by the American Rescue Plan. Unfortunately, the food truck owners woke up to the news that the grant money had been cut in half.
Expressing their frustration, Olivia Lewis stated, “I feel like we were thrown on a back burner… bigger businesses matter more than you.” The owners had signed a contract that they believed should be honored, but they were now being asked to sign a different contract, which they deemed unfair and refused to accept.
Olivia Lewis, who owns a Mexican soul food fusion food truck, had been relying on the grant money to cover her operation costs during the slower winter months. Falling behind on her truck payments, she now faces financial trouble.
KOCO Five reached out to the nonprofit organization responsible for the grant funding to understand what had happened. The organization shared an application that was given to the business owners, stating that they could receive up to $8,000.
However, the organization clarified that this amount was never guaranteed due to a higher-than-expected number of business owners signing up for the program. As a result, the available funding was insufficient to fulfill the promised amount.
Small business owners, on the other hand, argue that the document conflicts with what was promised to them. They claim that their contracts clearly state that the program provides $8,000 per business.
The owners recall being told by an OKC Alliance worker that the money was readily available to them. Confusion and disappointment surround the situation, as the owners now learn that they will only receive $4,000 each, with the possibility of receiving more if additional funds become available.
The Alliance for Economic Development now states that each business will receive $4,000, which falls short of the original promise. The food truck owners are left grappling with the sudden reduction in grant funding, uncertain about the future of their businesses.
Oklahoma City food truck owners claim that they have been left thousands of dollars short of what was promised to them by a nonprofit organization.
Food truck owners in Oklahoma City have reported being cheated out of $8,000 in COVID-19 relief funds intended for economic development.
Food truck owners in Oklahoma City are expressing their disappointment after being denied $8,000 in COVID-19 relief funds that were specifically earmarked for economic development.
This incident occurred when food truck owners applied for an accelerator program offered by the Alliance for Economic Development in Oklahoma City.
The program aimed to empower food truck operators by providing personalized coaching and business management skills. At the end of the training course, the participating food truck owners were eligible to apply for an $8,000 grant using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. However, on Monday, the owners were informed that the grant had been reduced by half.
Olivia Lewis, the owner of Blackxican Soul Food Shack, expressed her frustration, stating, “I feel like we were thrown on a backburner and just, ‘Food trucks don’t matter. Bigger businesses matter more than you.'”
Lewis also highlighted the issue of a contract that needs to be honored, rather than being asked to sign a different one. She had planned to use the grant money to cover her operational costs during the slow winter months, but now finds herself in financial trouble. Falling behind on her truck payment is just one consequence of this situation.
The nonprofit organization responsible for distributing the funds responded to inquiries from KOCO 5, stating that the application given to business owners mentioned the possibility of receiving up to $8,000, but that amount was never guaranteed.
They further explained that they had more business owners sign up than anticipated, resulting in insufficient funds. However, small business owners argue that the given document contradicts the nonprofit’s claims and that they were indeed promised the full amount.
Lewis mentioned that the program’s contract clearly states that each business is eligible for an $8,000 grant, and she emphasized that this information was shared by an OKC Alliance worker during the course.
In response to the situation, the alliance has stated that they will pay each business $4,000 and may provide additional funds if available. This turn of events has left food truck owners feeling let down and frustrated, as they were relying on this financial support to sustain their businesses during challenging times.
This summer, the Alliance for Economic Development for Oklahoma City offered an accelerator program that attracted food truck owners. The program aimed to empower food truck operators by providing personalized coaching and teaching essential business management skills.
At the conclusion of the training program, food truck owners had the opportunity to apply for an $8,000 grant funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. However, to their dismay, many woke up on Monday to discover that the grant amount had been reduced by 50%.
“I get the sense that we’ve been pushed aside and treated as if food trucks are insignificant. It’s like they prioritize larger businesses over us,” expressed Olivia Lewis, the proud owner of Blackxican Soul Food Shack. “We entered into a contract, and it should be respected. Now they want us to sign a new contract, which is simply unfair. We won’t stand for it.”
According to Lewis, her initial intention was to utilize the funds to support her operational expenses during the slower winter season. However, she is now facing difficulties.
“I fell behind on my truck payment because I had been holding onto that money for that specific purpose,” Lewis explained.
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Small business owners have expressed their dissatisfaction with the nonprofit organization, stating that the document they received contradicts the organization’s claim of insufficient funds. They argue that the organization had initially promised them the necessary financial support, leading them to sign up for the program.
According to Lewis, the program in their contracts clearly states that each business is eligible for a grant of $8,000. He explains that during the class, the OKC Alliance worker emphasized that this money is readily available for them to take advantage of. Lewis confirms that he and over 15 others heard this statement.
The alliance has announced their intention to provide each business with a payment of $4,000, with the possibility of receiving additional funds if sufficient resources are available.
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