Coronavirus Small Business Assistance In Pinole

Press release from the City of Pinole:

January 27, 2021

Program Announcement

On December 15, 2020, the City Council approved $100,000 to be made available for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The City of Pinole Small Business Assistance program is designed to provide financial assistance to small businesses located and operating in Pinole that have been adversely affected by the current COVID-19 public health emergency. This program is aimed at assisting small businesses with the costs of business interruption caused by required closures.

Assistance will be determined by the financial information provided, the number of eligible grant applications received and the funding pool available.

Program Guidelines

The City has developed program guidelines establishing the criteria for assistance eligibility. To obtain a copy of the program guidelines click "Here". Businesses that meet the following criteria, as set in the guidelines, are eligible to apply for a grant:

• For-profit business
• Operates from a physical store front located in Pinole
• Home-based businesses are not eligible
• Independent contractors that operate from a physical store front in Pinole are eligible
• Independent business or locally-owned chain
• Local outlets of chains or franchises headquartered outside of Pinole are not eligible
• A restaurant/bar; personal service (beauty salon, dance, day spa, martial arts, gym, hairstylist,
massage therapist, tanning salon, etc.); or retail
• Had a City of Pinole business license for 2020
• Was in business as of March 1, 2020
• Had 20 or fewer full time equivalent (FTE) employees as of March 1, 2020
• In full compliance with all local, State, and federal laws, including COVID-19 related health orders
• Experienced loss of revenue due to COVID

How to Apply
Businesses that meet the eligibility requirements and are interested in receiving a grant must submit a completed application form with required supporting documentation via email or traditional mail. The City will accept applications from January 27, 2021 through February 12, 2021. The City will provide confirmation of the City’s receipt of each application

Award of Grants
The City has set aside funding to provide 100 grants of $1,000 each. If more than 100 eligible businesses apply, 100 recipients will be selected through a lottery. If fewer than 100 eligible businesses apply, the City may provide grants of greater than $1,000 to each business. The City expects to communicate to all eligible businesses whether they will receive a grant or not, depending on the lottery, and the amount, by February 17, 2021.

Contact Information
For additional information, please contact Roxane Stone at rstone@ci.pinole.ca.us or 510-724-9830.

Additional Information
Information on other COVID-19 related assistance available to businesses from the State and federal government can be found on the City’s website.

This press release was produced by the City of Pinole. The views expressed here are the author’s own.