California Small Business Covid-19 Relief Grant Program

The State of California has announced a $500 million package of assistance, including grants of up to $25,000 to small businesses impacted by COVID-19.

Important Dates:
Application Opens December 30, 2020 at 8:00 AM
Application Closes January 13, 2021 at 11:59 PM
Start of Approval Notifications January 13, 2021

Visit https://careliefgrant.com for more information and to begin preparing your documents.

SLO County businesses can also contact:

CAL POLY CIE SBDC
805-756-5171
slosbdc@gmail.com

Paycheck Protection Program

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11, 2021 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday, January 11 and Second Draw PPP Loans on Wednesday, January 13.  The PPP will open to all participating lenders shortly thereafter.  sba.gov/ppp

Immediate Relief for Small Businesses

• Automatic 3-month deferral for taxpayers w/less than $1M in sales tax

• Interest-free payment agreements to businesses with up to $5M in sales 
• Expanded to include industries heavily impacted by operations restrictions including bars & restaurants, hair salons and more

Emergency Relief Appropriation Now Available

• $500M in COVID relief funds
• Grants up to $25 for small biz/nonprofits/cultural institutions
• This is a bridge between now and the next legislative session 

CA Rebuilding Fund

• Goal of providing $125M in relief with public/private investment for small businesses
• Increasing state funding to $37.5M total
• Applications opened last weekend - $86M matched already 

Main Street Hiring Tax Credit

• $1,000 per qualified employee
• Up to $100k for each business/employer
• Applications go live Dec 1

Outdoor Dining

Initially, the City has only allowed temporary fixtures, like patio umbrellas, to be used in parklets, sidewalk dining areas, and other temporary outdoor areas as part of the Paso Robles parklet program. With the approach of winter and potential for rain and cooler temperatures, the City will allow more substantial coverings to be used in certain situations to allow businesses to continue outdoor services during inclement weather. This summary provides overarching guidance for businesses interested in utilizing rain covers and outdoor heating devices during winter months.

COVID-19 Small Business Grant

In order to support small business employers facing financial impacts and potential layoffs from the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), the Workforce Development Board of San Luis Obispo County has established the COVID-19 Small Business Grant Fund. The fund will provide grants to small employers experiencing economic stresses in order to prevent potential layoffs or facility closures during COVID-19. Details

JUSTIN Community Grants Program

JUSTIN Winery will award up to $250,000 to local schools, non-profits, and government agencies that have been impacted by COVID-19 or the recent California wildfires. The $250,000 JUSTIN COVID-19 relief fund is an expansion of The Wonderful Company’s $1 million COVID-19 relief fund which was established in August 2020. 

The COVID-19 and wildfire relief grants can range from $1,000-$50,000. To receive priority, submissions must be received by October 31, 2020 or until funds are exhausted. All participating organizations will be notified of the status of their application in November. Details

Small Business Loans Available

Southland EDC is a non-profit Certified Development Company chartered to assist the small business community of California since 1980.  Southland EDC is pleased to announce a partnership with the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to help businesses located in San Luis Obispo and Tulare County adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through a revolving loan fund program.  Details 

Small Business Mentoring

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), which serves San Luis Obispo County and the Santa Maria Valley, offers free and confidential mentoring, workshops, webinars, templates and tools to help local businesses through a variety of challenges. Currently, mentors from more than 60 industries serve as volunteers to meet virtually with business owners and discuss finance, marketing and business plan preparation.

SCORE, which is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and has branches nationwide, started in San Luis Obispo more than 30 years to help businesses start and grow.

SLO County Reopening Information

Access to County specific information about reopening and the State’s Resilience Road Map.

COVID-19 Prevention Resources

Flyer
Table Tent
Video 1 - What is PasoStrong?
Video 2 - The Most Important Mask

PasoStrong Open and Safe/Face Covering Signage

Print and post open and safe messaging that includes face covering messaging:
English
Spanish

RecoverSLO.org 

This website is being developed by a network of local public and private partners. It will make available the most relevant information and resources for our local employers and workforce and currently includes tax relief resources, information about State and Federal stimulus funding, workforce training resources and local job opportunities. With new developments every day, the development team will continuously monitor, evaluate and streamline resources to make them available in a central location.

COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide

USDA and its Federal partners have programs that can be used to provide immediate and long-term assistance to rural communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. 

California Small Business Assistance

California is providing broad assistance to small businesses and employers impacted by COVID-19. This includes interest free deferral of sales/use tax, Federal small business Stimulus program, 90-day extension on business filings, and the Small Business Loan Guarantee Program.  

Small Business Administration

Provides guidance for businesses and employers and funding options that include loan and debt relief options through the CARES Act.  

Pasostrong 

Local business resources and information including E-Gift card program, listing of open businesses, and disaster loan information. 

Employment Development Department

The EDD provides a variety of support services to people who have lost their jobs or have had their hours reduced due to the impacts of COVID-19 in California. Includes information and resources for employers. 

Guidance for Food and Beverage Facilities 

SLO County Environmental Health Department provides health and safety guidance for food facilities, food delivery and pick up services, and gas station establishments.   

LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

Main Street Association

Local downtown merchant information and services 

Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance

Information regarding wineries and restaurants that are offering discounted online purchases, discounted wine shipping, curbside pick-up, and some virtual experiences that will add a little flavor to your safe harbor. 

California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce 

(Cámara de Comercio Estatal Hispana)
Access resources for Hispanic-owned businesses in California including Spanish language COVID-19 resources and information.

SLO Chamber of Commerce

Provides business resources for SLO County businesses. In partnership with the SBDC, offers a webinar series to assist businesses impacted by COVID-19.

Small Business Development Center

Promotes business assistance to start-ups and established companies in San Luis Obispo County and can offer assistance for companies at risk of closing or impacted by COVID-19. In partnership with the SLO County Chamber of Commerce, offers a webinar series to assist business impacted by COVID 19.

Travel Paso 

Local tourism information and resources including event cancellations and rescheduling updates.

Resources for Child Care Providers

Links to resources for child care providers including: guidelines for service, financial support, training and state and local resources.