Microbusiness owners now have until July 15 to apply for $2,500 San Diego County grants primarily funded by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate at a total of $4,175,000.
The grants are being awarded with emphasis on helping businesses run by people and groups which have historically faced funding barriers including women, minorities, veterans, English-language learners, business owners who live in low-income or rural areas, and undocumented residents. An equal number of applications is being approved across all five county supervisory districts.
To qualify for one of the microbusiness grants, business owners who were significantly impacted by COVID-19 must earn less than $50,000 annually and have had fewer than five fulltime employees in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Additionally, the business must have been established prior to Dec. 31, 2019, be currently operating and serve as the owner’s primary source of revenue.
Applicants will only be considered if they have not previously received grant money from the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant program.
The county is partnering with the San Diego & Imperial Small Business Development Center Network through Southwestern College along with the Asian Business Association of San Diego, East County Economic Development Council, Logan Heights Community Development Corporation, and South County Economic Development Council to assist microbusiness owners in applying for this grant funding.
In-person assistance is available in both English and Spanish at the Logan Heights Community Development Corporation from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, and on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the East County Economic Development Council in El Cajon.
Individual support is also available through the SBDC center by appointment; more information is available at sdivsbdc.org/advising or by calling (619) 482-6391. Translation assistance is available at (858) 277-2822.
The grant application page can be reached either through the county at https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/microbusinessgrant.html or at https://sdivsbdc.org/county-of-san-diego-microbusiness-grant-program/ where microbusiness owners can apply directly through the SBDC.
