Emergency Business Assistance Program Announced from the County of Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara Foundation
The County of Santa Barbara, in partnership with the Santa Barbara Foundation, announce the Emergency Business Assistance Grant Program that consists of two components: microenterprise business assistance and small business assistance grants.
The application period opens today, May 10 through June 30, 2021, or when all funds are granted, whichever comes sooner. Eligible microenterprise businesses may apply for up to $10,000 in funding, while eligible small businesses may apply for up to $25,000.
“This opportunity is made possible through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD),” said George Chapjian, Director of the County Community Services Department. “The goal is to implement Community Development Block Grant programs that reduce the impacts of the pandemic. We are grateful to partners like Santa Barbara Foundation to make this grant program accessible to our countywide community.”
This funding, allocated by the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), comes to the County with specific intention for prevention of, preparation for, and response to COVID-19 impacts. In accordance with these and HUD requirements, Emergency Business Assistance Program funding will only be provided in cases that are reasonably determined and documented that the applicant’s business has been adversely impacted by COVID-19. All interested parties are encouraged to review the grant guidelines and eligibility requirements thoroughly.
“This grant program is an added effort to provide support for our county’s economy through continued uncertain times,” said Jessica Sanchez, Director of Donor Relations at the Santa Barbara Foundation. “This program is another COVID-19 relief partnership like, Santa Barbara Better Together Fund and Elaine F. Stepanek Foundation Restaurant Fund, that are providing extra relief to businesses challenged by the coronavirus pandemic. We are happy to work with the County of Santa Barbara to provide such important support to our local businesses that are at the center of our county’s economy.”
To apply for a grant, please review the grant guidelines and eligibility requirements. Before accessing the grant portal and registering your business to receive access to the application, please complete the eligibility checklist.
Staff from the County and Santa Barbara Foundation will be hosting two similar workshops to discuss the Emergency Business Assistance Program with interested businesses. The first is set for 10-11:30 a.m., Monday, May 10; and repeated noon-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 19.
Applications WILL NOT be accepted by email or fax. Applications will be time and date stamped and reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis. If interest persists and funds are still available, the application period may be extended.Applicants may be required to submit additional documentation or detail.
Applicants will have two weeks to submit additional materials, as requested by the Santa Barbara Foundation.For questions or more information, please contact the Santa Barbara Foundation at (805) 963-1873. Applications can be submitted electronically via the Santa Barbara Foundation’s grants portal after May 10, or printed and mailed in a sealed envelope to the Santa Barbara Foundation, 1111 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101. To hand deliver, please bring the sealed application to the above address between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Round 6 of the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program
On March 3, 2021, the California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate announced new funding rounds for the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. The program will continue to be managed by Lendistry. The program is available to small business or small nonprofits operating in California to provide cash payments based on eligible business’s gross revenue.
New applications for Round 6 are being accepted until 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 4. Waitlisted applicants from Round 1, 2, 3 and 5 will be automatically moved into Round 5. Please note that applicants not selected from Round 4 will need to reapply if they did not apply again during Round 5.
Businesses needing assistance with the application process should contact Economic Development Corporation for free business advisory assistance. In English, call (805) 409-9159 o para obtener asistencia en español, llame al (805) 309-5874. More information at CAReliefGrant.com
Restaurant Revitalization Fund
The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.The application period opened today, May 3.
