California Small Business Covid-19 Relief Grant Program

You are receiving this email because you hold a business license with the City of Paso Robles.

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 8, 2021 at 11:59 PM
Start of Approval Notifications January 13, 2021

Eligibility Requirements:
A small business or small nonprofit must satisfy the following criteria to be eligible to receive a grant award:

Must meet the definition of an “eligible small business”. An “eligible small business” means (i) a “small business” (sole proprietor, independent contractor, 1099 work, and or registered “for-profit” business entity (e.g., C-corporation, S-corporation, limited liability company, partnership) that has yearly gross revenue of $2.5 million or less (but at least $1,000 in yearly gross revenue) based on most recently filed tax return) or (ii) a “small nonprofit” (registered 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofit entity having yearly gross revenue of $2.5 million or less (but at least $1,000 in yearly gross revenue) based on most recently filed Form 990)
Active businesses or nonprofits operating since at least June 1, 2019
Businesses must currently be operating or have a clear plan to re-open once the State of California permits re-opening of the business
Business must be impacted by COVID-19 and the health and safety restrictions such as business interruptions or business closures incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
Business must be able to provide organizing documents including 2018 or 2019 tax returns or Form 990s, copy of official filing with the California Secretary of State, if applicable, or local municipality for the business such as one of the following: Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of Organization, Fictitious Name of Registration or Government-Issued Business License
Business must be able to provide acceptable form of government-issued photo ID
Applicants with multiple business entities, franchises, locations, etc. are not eligible for multiple grants and are only allowed to apply once using their eligible small business with the highest revenue

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

Other Business & Financial Assistance

COVID-19 Enforcement

At a Special City Council meeting on December 15, 2020 the Council adopted a plan for enforcement of business operations under the state's Stay at Home Order.

Key elements:

1. Education and assistance

2. Working with and through Chamber for all businesses, even non-members

3. Warnings prior to any administrative citations

4. Administrative citation for egregious violations

5. Appeals panel

Standard Operating Procedures for the plan will be announced and distributed after the holidays.

The Council noted that the State’s Regional Stay at Home Order is still legally in effect and businesses operating in violation of it are doing so at risk of enforcement action from the State or County.

Paso Robles Economic Recovery Package

Council allocated $235,000 in General Funds for three economic recovery and business assistance measures:

$60k for maintaining parklet infrastructure through June
$100k for propane heating assistance
$75 for Economic Recovery, such as a Buy Local campaign, micro-grants, or other measures as determined by local business input

If additional pandemic funding becomes available, General Funds would be replenished if allowable.

Possible Federal Relief Package

On Monday Congress passed a $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill that, if signed by the president, would include:

$600 direct payment checks for every adult and child earning up to $75,000.
Unemployment benefits up to $300 per week through mid-March.
Rental assistance to help families pay their rent, and extends the eviction moratorium now in effect until Jan. 31.
PPP Loans
And more, read the entire bill

President Trump still has to sign the bill for this assistance to go into effect.

Resident Support

Food Distribution in Paso Robles

North County food and pantry services, free meal sites for kids and resources for homebound seniors:

Feed Paso Program

Il Cortile Ristorante and La Cosecha Bar + Restaurant, in conjunction with PasoCares and ECHO have launched their Feed Paso campaign that will provide free meals to local homeless families and those in need during the holidays. Each time you order takeout at either restaurant, you will be asked if you want to contribute to the Feed Paso program. On your bill, you will be able to add $20 to feed a family of two, or $30 to feed a family of four.

Tenant and Landlord Protections

Eviction moratorium
The statewide freeze on residential evictions has been extended through February 28, 2021. Renters in California who cannot pay their rent because of COVID-19-related hardships should know their rights and responsibilities.

Mortgage foreclosure protection and relief
Small homeowners have been extended foreclosure protections in a state order passed August 31. Many banks and financial institutions have committed to providing relief for homeowners in California. Find out more about mortgage help and how to get it.

Avoiding utility shut-off
Many utility providers are not shutting off services due to non-payment. Check with the California Public Utilities Commission for more information. The Water Board restricts the shut off of water during the COVID crisis. Please use this form to report any water shutoff or reconnect issue.

Stay Informed on City Business and COVID-19

All COVID-19 Information

To subscribe to the COVID-19 Updates newsletter, click here.

For all Paso Robles COVID-19 information, click here.

The most important thing you can do is Shelter at Home. Stay home. Save lives. For complete information and details, go to www.ReadySLO.org

Square with 4 logos inside - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and City seal

Connect with Us on Social Media

If you want to keep up-to-date on COVID-19, local issues, City business, public workshops, etc., follow us here:

Facebook: facebook.com/prcitygov
Twitter: twitter.com/p rcity
Instagram: instagram.com/prcity_pasoroblesca
Website: prcity.com
Enewsletter: Click here, sign in, subscribe

Need more info?

If you'd like information on a specific item, event or issue that isn't listed here, please use the Search function at www.prcity.com, send an email to info@prcity.com or call 805.237.3888.