SOLANO COUNTY — Small business owners who have been in operation since 2019 and were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for a $2,500 grant through the Solano Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Initiative, which will launch its application window April 1.
To support small businesses and employers facing financial impacts from the pandemic, Solano County – in partnership with the Workforce Development Board of Solano County and the Solano-Napa Small Business Development Center – established this new program utilizing funds from the California Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program.
Solano County’s $450,000 funding from the state will allow approximately 180 business owners to be awarded $2,500 microgrants.
The application window in Solano County will be open from 9 am on April 1 to 5 pm on May 14. Applications will be available online in English, Spanish, and Tagalog at solanonapasbdc.org. Grants will be awarded based on eligibility guidelines established by the state.
For-profit ‘microbusinesses’ based in Solano County are eligible for this grant if the business:
- Began operation prior to Dec. 31, 2019
- Is currently active and operating
- Had less than $50,000 in gross revenues in the 2019 taxable year
- Has fewer than five full-time equivalent employees and had fewer than five full-time equivalent employees in both 2019 and 2020.
- Did not receive a grant under the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program
All applications submitted prior to the May 14 deadline will be considered. Grants will be awarded based on eligibility. If necessary, a randomized lottery will be conducted to select the 180 eligible small businesses that will receive grant funding.
“The last two years have been difficult for our small businesses who have been impacted by the negative effects of COVID,” said Tim Murrill, Director of the Solano-Napa SBDC. “Our microbusinesses, those with five or fewer employees, have been hit especially hard. This funding can provide those businesses with an important financial boost to help them move forward.”
The SBDC and WDB will host informational webinars for the grant program on April 1 at 10 am and April 6 at 4 pm. Register for the webinars at solanonapasbdc.org.
The grantee list will be announced on June 1, 2022, with disbursement of funds between June 1 and August 31.
Access the application and learn more about the program at www.solanonapasbdc.org/solano-microgrant/
For additional information in English, contact Brianna Boyd at 707-646-1071 or bboyd@solanowdb.org
For additional information in Spanish, contact the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce at 707-999-2966 or info@solanohcc.com
