(Above): A local coffee shop, open for business. (iStock)

California small business owners and non-profits can apply for some of the $500 million in California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program funds the state is offering beginning on December 30, State Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) announced today. The formal application period will run from Dec. 30, 2020 to January 8, 2021.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities,” Wieckowski said. “They often are the gateway to employment for young workers, provide badly-needed jobs and often build long-lasting ties to their neighborhoods by partnering with a variety of civic organizations and groups. Non-profits provide critical services that are heavily relied upon by many community members. That’s why the Legislature is partnering with the Governor to assist companies and non-profits during this COVID-19 pandemic. This financial assistance during these hard times will allow us to not only protect lives, but more people’s livelihoods too.  As we wait for additional federal financial assistance, these grants will provide critical help for companies.”

Companies and non-profits can go to www.CAReliefGrant.com for information on the program. The program is administered through the California Office of the Small Business Advocate at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz) for small businesses impacted by COVID and the health and safety measures. The funds will be distributed through established networks of Community Development Financial Institutions. The grants will be from $5,000 to up to $25,000.

This is the first round of grants. Approval notifications will begin on Jan. 13.  Those applicants who are not chosen in the first round, do not need to reapply and will be automatically rolled over to the second round.  Owners of multiple businesses or locations will be considered for only one grant for the business with the highest revenue.

California is home to over four million small businesses that employ almost half of the state’s total workforce and more than seven million workers.

Senator Wieckowski represents the 10th District, which includes southern Alameda County and parts of Santa Clara County.