Starting today, there is a second chance for Glenn County small businesses to get COVID-19 grants from the state.
A $500 million state program provides grants from $5,000 to $25,000 to local businesses and non-profits hurt by the pandemic. Checks started going out January 22 in the first round of funding, according to a statement from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.
The good news is those who have turned in a complete application don’t have to go through the application process a second time. Qualifying applications will automatically become part of the consideration the second round of funding, with no further application needed.
“What we are seeing is an unprecedented, urgent need,” said Dee Dee Myers, Director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). “Millions of hardworking Californians, who provide jobs to millions more, need help.”
California’s small businesses employ almost half the state’s private sector workforce and create two-thirds of new jobs. However, they operate on close margins: nearly half of them had only two weeks of cash flow before the pandemic hit. Without additional funding, more than one in three small businesses will not survive past the next three months, including 32 percent of Latinx-owed and 41 percent of Black-owned businesses, the statement said.
The application portal opened today for new applications, and will stay open through 6 p.m. Monday, February 8. A complete application requires: 1. an application certification; 2. Business Financial information (as in a most recent tax returned filed in 2018 or 2019, provided in an electronic format or upload (like a PDF/JPEG); 3. A copy of the official filing for the business with the California Secretary of State, if applicable, or local municipality, such as the Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of Organization, Fictitious Name of Registration or government-issued business license.
For those with more than one business, an application can only be filled out for the one with the highest revenue. Only one business is eligible for a grant. Applying through multiple organizations only delays the application process.
The program gives priority to regions and underserved business industries impacted by the pandemic, disadvantaged communities and groups. Applications are prioritized based on impact. The grants are in three tiers -- $5,000 for businesses with annual revenue from $1,000 to $100,000; $25,000 for businesses with revenue between $100,000 and $1,000,000, and $25,000 for businesses with more than $1,000,000 in revenue, but less than $2,500,000. Each of the state’s 58 counties received awards in the first round.
For more information, visit countyofglenn.net. Applications are available online at https://www.countyofglenn.net/news/public-notice-business/20210104/small-business-covid-19-relief-grant-program-second-round
For more information on grant eligibility and requirements, along with links to application tips and webinars, visit CAReliefGrant.com