Episode 10: Economic Development on Oʻahu
This week, Amy Asselbaye, executive director of the City’s Office of Economic Revitalization, joins host Brandi Higa on the One Oʻahu Podcast to talk about a handful of programs the City and County of Honolulu has to offer when it comes to rent and utility relief, business grants and other resources.
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Oahu Business Recovery Grant Program
Executive Director Asselbaye opens the episode with a quick breakdown on what the Office of Economic Revitalization is responsible for before jumping into an update on the Oahu Business Recovery Grant Program (1:51).
“That program kicked off in January to applications and we were really thrilled to be able to work with the Chamber of Commerce,” said Asselbaye. “They are the ones today reviewing applications from businesses that really didn’t get a chance to apply for earlier pandemic relieve for some reason, whether they were home bases businesses, maybe event space businesses, and didn’t have access to some of the funds that were available through the Small Business Administration or even through the City’s Small Business Relief and Recovery Fund.”
Agriculture Grant Program
Later, Dexter Kishida, the City’s Food Security and Sustainability Program Manager joins the podcast to talk about another grant program, the Agriculture Grant Program (8:31). According to Kishida, the City is in the process of awarding these grants.
“Between now and July, the checks will be cut for over 65 farmers totaling a little over $3 million,” added Kishida.
Broadband Connectivity for All
Another program OER is working on deals with connectivity for households on Oahu that need it most.
“Our role at the City and County of Honolulu is looking to our residents and our community-based organizations to, first and foremost, make sure they have access to the ACP, the Affordable Connectivity Program,” said Asselbaye. “And that is from the Federal Communications Commission. It provides up to $50 per household and $75 on Hawaiian Homelands to be able to pay your internet bill.”
And finally, Amy Asselbaye explains what success would look like for our island when it comes to regenerative tourism (36:57).
The full episode is available now, wherever you listen to podcasts!
