CA Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program

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CA Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program

Mendocino County

APPLY HERE

GRANT GUIDELINES:

Overview

In an effort to provide relief to the hardest to reach microbusinesses, EDFC (Economic Development and Financing Corporation) in partnership with the County of Mendocino is excited to announce the launch of the California Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program which will provide $2,500 grants to microbusinesses in Mendocino County that have been significantly impacted by COVID-19. Grant amounts and eligibility requirements have been set by the funder of this program, the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA).

Grant Application and Award Process

Eligible microbusiness owners will have the opportunity to apply online for a $2,500 grant starting on May 1st and grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds have been granted.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Verified as locally-owned and operated (physically located in Mendocino County)
  • The microbusiness is currently active and operating, or has a clear plan to reopen when the state permits reopening of the business. 
  • Open and operating prior to COVID-19 (prior to December 31, 2019);
  • Currently have <5 full-time equivalent employees and had <5 full-time equivalent employees in 2019 and 2020;
  • Generated <$50,000 in business revenue in 2019;
  • The applicant is the majority-owner and manager of the microbusiness;
  • This business was the applicant’s primary means of income in the 2019 taxable year;
  • Significantly impacted by COVID-19 pandemic, as evidenced by at least a 10% reduction in revenue from the 2019 to 2020 taxable years;
  • Did not receive a grant from the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program; and
  • Not a business excluded from participation in the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program, as specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 12100.82 (see below).

Ineligible Businesses
The following businesses are excluded from participation in this grant program (per paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of California Government Code Section 12100.82):

(A) Businesses without a physical presence in the state and not headquartered in the state.
(B) Nonprofit businesses not registered as a 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6), or 501(c)(19).
(C) Government entities, other than Native American tribes, or elected official offices.
(D) Businesses primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities, regardless of whether the entity is registered as a 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6), or 501(c)(19).
(E) Passive businesses, investment companies, and investors who file a Schedule E on their tax returns.
(F) Financial institutions or businesses primarily engaged in the business of lending, such as banks, finance companies, and factoring companies.
(G) Businesses engaged in any activity that is unlawful under federal, state, or local law.
(H) Businesses that restrict patronage for any reason other than capacity.
(I) Speculative businesses.
(J) Businesses with any owner of greater than 10 percent of the equity interest in it who meets one or more of the following criteria:

  • (i) The owner has, within the prior three years, been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against the owner, or has had commenced any form of parole or probation, including probation before judgment, for commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a federal, state, or local public transaction or contract under a public transaction, violation of federal or state antitrust or procurement statutes or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, or receiving stolen property.
  • (ii) The owner is presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a federal, state, or local government entity, with commission of any of the offenses enumerated in clause (i)

Priority Given To

  • Microbusinesses operated or owned by a member of a group that has faced historic barriers in accessing capital, including, but not limited to, women, minorities or persons of color, veterans, undocumented individuals, and individuals living in low-wealth or rural areas on low incomes; and
  • Microbusinesses that suffered economic impacts or revenue losses due to COVID-19.

Eligible Use of Funds

  • Purchase of new equipment;
  • Investment in working capital;
  • Application for, or renewal of, a local permit;
  • Payment of business debt built up during the COVID-19 pandemic; or
  • Costs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and related health and safety restrictions, or business interruptions or closures due to the pandemic.

Application Support

Please contact EDFC by email at robert@edfc.org or by phone at (707) 234-5705 with any questions and for support with the application process. Assistance is available in Spanish upon request.