While funds are still available, time is running out to apply for the county’s Small Business Restart and Recovery (SBRR) grant program. The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors last month approved an allocation of $600,000 to supplement the recently authorized $3.289 million relief program for local small businesses that are affected by COVID-19 and who have had their reopening plans approved by the county. Although only businesses were initially eligible for the SBRR grant, the program is available to other entity types such as eligible special districts and non-profit organizations. Eligible entities can apply on the county’s website for grants ranging from $500 to $12,500.
The County of Humboldt SBRR grant program provides direct aid to eligible entities that have suffered financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. The application for funding will be made available until Friday, Dec. 4 at 5 p.m.
There are two grants available under the county’s SBRR program.
The Restart Grant provides up to $500 for expenses related to eligible entities drafting/submitting their reopening plan. This grant is available only to those who have had their reopening plans certified and approved by the county.
The Recovery Grant provides up to $12,000 to assist with necessary COVID-19 related expenses, as detailed below:
Applications for both grants are on the “Business Resources” tab of the county website.
Eligible Expenditures
- Procurement and/or care of personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees and/or customers.
- Rental and or mortgage assistance for those periods during which a business may have been closed or whose operation was dramatically limited while closures on businesses and Shelter In Place orders were in effect.
- Expenses related to eviction prevention and landlord/tenant mediation and arbitration.
- Funding for improvements, equipment, or operational changes for complying with quarantining and social distancing orders.
- Cleaning supplies and/or professional disinfection services to meet Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for COVID-19 viral mitigation and prevention.
- Wages for the hiring and/or training of staff substantially dedicated to COVID-19 preparedness, mitigation, and response.
- Other measurable and verifiable expenditures directly related to operational hardships resulting from COVID-19 and/or for hardships incurred for a business to comply with orders from the Public Health Officer.
Note the SBRR grant program cannot replace lost sales, income or revenue. Applicants must be an eligible entity whose entity was or has closed, or whose operations were or are adversely impacted by COVID-19and must meet additional criteria as detailed in the application materials.
The SBRR program will expire on Dec. 30, 2020 or until funding has been exhausted, unless otherwise extended through federal legislation. Funding for this program is made available through the US Treasury’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
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Questions regarding the NOFA can be directed to the Humboldt County Administrative Office – Economic Development Team at 707-445-7745 or via email, gohumco@co.humboldt.ca.us. Business Resources Web Page with SBRR Application