“Microbusinesses” across San Diego County hurt by COVID-19 could soon be getting $2,500 boosts after County supervisors approved a grant program Tuesday funded in part by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate.
Supervisors unanimously approved giving the $2,500 grants to help up to 1,550 microbusinesses, defined as earning less than $50,000 in 2019, being the owner’s primary source of income and having five or fewer employees, currently and in 2019, 2020 and 2021. The list could include home businesses like pet sitters, shoppers, cleaners and home health care workers, and sidewalk vendors like food cart operators.
Applications can be submitted online starting Feb. 15.
Board Chair Nathan Fletcher said even though COVID-19 restrictions and limitations on businesses ended last summer, the grant program would help small businesses that are still feeling the pandemic’s effects.
“There’s always more we can do,” Fletcher said. “So … this small business COVID-19 grant program will help get about $3.8 million out to some of the smallest businesses, often family-run businesses, to help them purchase equipment, invest in working capital, apply for and renew permits, pay off any debts accrued due to the pandemic and offset costs resulting from the pandemic.”
The application page can be reached indirectly through the County’s Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program webpage or directly at the Small Business Development Center’s website.
The grants are planned to be distributed equally among the County’s five supervisorial districts, aided by outreach at events, farmer’s markets and libraries, and through community groups and door-to-door canvassing.
State and County officials hope the grants will reach microbusinesses run by those that have historically faced barriers to obtaining capital, including women, minorities, veterans, limited English speakers, businesses in low- to mid-income rural areas and people without documentation.
Microbusinesses may be eligible for the $2,500 grant if their business:
- Was started before Dec. 31, 2019, is the owner’s primary source of revenue, and is currently operating or has a plan to reopen
- Generated less than $50,000 in revenue in the 2019 tax year
- Currently has five or fewer full-time employees and had five or fewer employees in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
- Was significantly impacted by COVID-19
- Has not previously received any grant money from the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program
The County has contracted with Southwestern College’s Small Business Development Center to collect and process online applications and to conduct outreach along with the Asian Business Association of San Diego, the Logan Heights Community Development Corporation, the South County Economic Development Council and the San Diego East County Economic Development Council.
The County’s grants must be distributed in 2022. The first application process will run from Feb. 15 to 5 p.m. March 31. If there is grant money left after the first round, additional application periods will be held.
