Written by Julianne Foster
Last Tuesday, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved a small business stimulus grant fund during one of their meetings. According to Supervisor Jim Desmond, the fund will provide economic assistance to local small businesses and nonprofits that are experiencing financial hardship.
San Diego County has created a small business/non-profit stimulus grant fund. The purpose of this fund is to provide economic assistance to help small businesses and nonprofit entities experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 response. https://t.co/7QOnkE71Rf pic.twitter.com/Q074pOSlR1
— Supervisor Jim Desmond (@jim_desmond) July 7, 2020
The Board of Supervisors is using $3.4 million in CARES Act funds for this grant, distributed equally through each supervisorial district. The grant application began July 7 and is available through October 16, although the deadline for District 5 grants is August 7.
To qualify for the relief funding, businesses must have 100 or less employees, headquarters within the county, a minimum of one year operating history as of February 14, 2020, and documentation of financial hardship due to the pandemic. For-profit and non-profit businesses can apply and receive relief funds if they can prove losses and excess costs as a result of COVID-19. Sole proprietorships and independent contractors are included in those eligible to apply for the grant. All of the funds businesses receive must be spent by December 30, 2020.
As of July 13, Gov. Gavin Newsom has further forced businesses to shut their doors again, closing all indoor activities including fitness centers, places of worship, offices for non-critical sectors, personal care services, hair salons and barbershops, and malls. Business owners have been thoroughly disappointed by the recent actions of Gov. Newsom since they were finally given hope to reopen their doors and bring in some revenue in the past month.
The economic effects of COVID-19 have been severe, forcing businesses to close and eliminating jobs, sources of income, and forcing people out of their homes. This grant money couldn’t have come at a better time to support local businesses that make San Diego County what it is.
Business owners can have a moment of relief applying for the grant money, which has been generously provided by the County Board of Supervisors, but they still need the support of their original customers. Restaurants offering take-out or outdoor dining options and businesses providing curbside or delivery services are desperate to reach people and continue staying afloat during the pandemic. It’s important for San Diegans to work together as a community to support each other and preventing more of our local businesses from closing their doors permanently.
