In this health crisis, the priority is of course the human aspect, but we must also pay attention to the economic situation, which can also be “pandemic,” even if in a different way!
“Primum vivere, deinde philosophari,” as Seneca rightly said.
So, in response to the significant impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on economic life, Christian Estrosi held a video conference yesterday morning with key players in the local economy and representatives of small businesses* to assess the situation and discuss solutions to be implemented in the coming weeks.
Following the consultation, several measures were announced, some of which will be voted on Friday at the metropolitan council meeting:
A subsidy to cover professional rents (up to 500 euros) for the duration of the administrative closures of companies with fewer than 5 employees and a turnover not exceeding 250,000 euros. This is a grant, not a loan.
Exemption from rent for businesses, shops, or associations located in premises owned by the city or the Metropolis
Funding from the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis of 1 million euros towards the emergency fund coordinated by the Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This refundable advance fund amounts to 8M€ and will support businesses in the Alpes-Maritimes.
A proposal to the Government and Parliament to go further by introducing a law provision to exempt small businesses from their Corporate Property Tax (CFE), which heavily burdens them.
The Mayor of Nice will propose to the Government the establishment of a specific tax on E-commerce, which is currently benefiting greatly from the crisis and does not contribute sufficiently to the necessary redistribution for recovery.
The City of Nice had already decided on free parking on the streets, the cancellation of terrace and public domain occupation fees throughout the crisis, the creation of a directory allowing merchants, artisans, and market gardeners in the Metropolis to list their open shops that offer delivery or take-away services, and engaging partnerships with small producers, wholesalers from MIN, and supermarkets to sell their products.
After the crisis, new measures adapted to this unprecedented situation will be taken:
Among them:
Support for local consumption in Nice by organizing festivities, including a large Clearance Sale to help merchants quickly sell their stocks and gain liquidity, with the creation of vouchers to be used in local shops
Launch of a targeted communication campaign encouraging “consuming locally” to support local jobs
Exemption from the public domain occupancy fee for terraces and stalls for one month after shops reopen
