SMC OK's $1M For Small Business Aid Program

REDWOOD CITY, CA — San Mateo County Supervisors have approved nearly $1 million in grant funding that will soon be available for small businesses in North Fair Oaks that are suffering economic impacts from a prolonged construction project that was delayed by historic winter storms.

The funds will support the Middfield Road Small Business Assistance Program, and eligible businesses will soon be able to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to fund payroll, rent, and other costs.

The construction project requires overhauling a stretch of Middlefield Road and installing new utilities and other infrastructure. While officials are certain the improvements will have real benefits, they acknowledge the extended timeline is presenting businesses with serious immediate challenges.

"When the project is complete, families will enjoy wider sidewalks, new streetlights, free public WiFi, small businesses to frequent, and so much more," said Supervisor Warren Slocum, who proposed the grants. "Many of these businesses just need a short-term financial boost so they can stay afloat long enough to see the benefits."

The county talked with local businesses, including the owner of Cuco's Burritos, who said business was down by 60 percent due to difficulty accessing the building. Receiving a grant would help them get by.

The county's Office of Community Affairs will conduct outreach and provide assistance for applying for the grants, and funds could become available before the end of the month. A few businesses are ineligible for the program, including pot shops, liquor stores, and smoke shops.

To qualify, businesses must meet this criteria:

• Be physically located and operating on Middlefield Road between Douglas Avenue and Fifth Avenue with a customer-serving storefront in the project limits.
• Have fewer than 25 employees.
• Suffered proven economic losses due to construction work.