REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Update on Small Business Assistance Grant Program and Approval of Related Budget Amendments [Council Pillar: Promote and Enhance Economic and Housing Development]
Report
BACKGROUND
At its April 8, 2020 meeting, Council approved the Small Business Assistance Grant Program (Grant Program) and requested an increase to the initial allocation of $250,000 to $500,000 in funds for the effort. A key objective of the program was a quick City response of grant funds to small businesses.
The approved Grant Program provides one-time grants to small businesses and non-profits with at least one but no more than 25 full-time employees who demonstrate a loss of income due to COVID-19. Grants of $10,000 would be available for qualified small businesses and non-profits that have been deemed non-essential under the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department order dated March 16, 2020. Grants of $5,000 would be available for qualified small businesses and non-profits that have been deemed essential under the same order.
Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements (Attachment 1), complete the Small Business Assistance Grant Program application (Attachment 2) and demonstrate loss of income due to COVID-19 by completing the Estimated Disaster Economic Injury Worksheet (Attachment 3).
DISCUSSION
Pre-Launch Preparation and Timeline
At the time of the April 8, 2020 Council meeting, staff presented draft program materials. Additional coordination with the City Attorney's Office on the draft grant application documents was aimed at launching an application process that was efficient, consistent and user friendly. As a result, program exclusions for franchises and 18 and over only business were deleted.
On Tuesday, April 14, 2020, the City began promoting the Grant Program by releasing a video from Mayor Gillmor announcing the program, followed by a press release and social media posts.
A dedicated webpage (www.santaclaraca.g...
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