New Small Business Assistance Grant Closes October 11

The Small Business Assistance Grant – Round 2 now allows for essential and non-essential businesses. 

The County of Santa Cruz is pleased to announce the second round of the Santa Cruz County Cares Recovery Program for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Grants of up to $15,000 each will be awarded to provide immediate financial reimbursement to businesses located in Santa Cruz County, including the cities of Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, and Watsonville. This round of grants is available to both essential and non-essential businesses with fewer than 25 employees to aid in maintaining their business and workforce. 

Restaurants, childcare providers, hair salons, retail outlets, and other kinds of businesses throughout the county are eligible. 50% of the grants are dedicated to businesses owned by women and socially disadvantaged individuals. Grants will be awarded through a lottery system with the county divided into three grant zones: South, Mid, and North County.

Grant funds may be used to reimburse payroll expenses due to business interruption, lease payments for business premises, acquisition of inventory needed to re-open or maintain open status, new telework equipment costs, personal protective equipment, facility readiness (social distancing preparedness, business modifications, outdoor dining, etc.), and other eligible expenses. 

The first round of applicants received awards totaling over $278,000. A total of over $721,000 is available to be awarded during this second round. 

Complete applications are due no later than October 11, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.

Applications and additional information can be found at: 

https://www.sccvitality.org/Business/CARESGrant.aspx.

The grant information is available at www.sccvitality.org .  Please share this to all the businesses in your area.  Applications are due Oct. 11.  This is the last round of grants for this source of funds.