Watsonville Emergency Assistance Program Guidelines For Small Businesses

From City of Watsonville:

May 4, 2020

This program is designed to assist Watsonville small businesses affected by the COVID-19 economic crisis with a grant up to $ 2000.

The City of Watsonville is partnering with El Pajaro Community Development Corporation to market and administer the program.

On March 27th, 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) to support preparation for and response to the community impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and identified additional funding for the City of Watsonville through is Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.

Grant funds may be used to assist with payment of rent and / or utility payments incurred after March 15, 2020. The CARES Act requires that we prevent the duplication of benefits, which means grant funds may not be used to pay businesses expenses / costs if another source of financial assistance is available to pay that cost (ie Small Businesses Administration loans).

Emergency assistance funds payments will be made directly to the service provider (landlord / utility company) on behalf of the business.

Applications will be accepted via email starting Tuesday May 5, 2020 until Friday May 8, 2020 at 3:00 pm. It is anticipated that 50 grants will be disbursed through this effort. After the application period closes, businesses will be randomly selected to continue with the grant application process and document verification. All those applicants who are not selected in the first round of funding will be placed on a waiting list and may be eligible to receive funds if funding is available.

Eligibility:

1. Business must be located within the Watsonville city limits.

2. Have a current business license with the City of Watsonville.

3. Have $ 2,000,000 or less in annual gross revenue.

4. Businesses that have not received SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan are not eligible to apply.

5. Chain stores and franchises and not-for profits are not eligible to apply.

6. Priority will be given to women and minority owned businesses.

Application:

An online application must be submitted between Tuesday May 5, 2020 and Friday May 8, 2020. Applications must be received by no later than 3:00 pm on Friday to participate in the selection process.

If selected the following documentation must be provided ELECTRONICALLY within four days of receiving notification that your application is being considered for funding (no paper documentation will be accepted).

Selected applicants will be notified via email by Monday, May 11, 2020 and supporting eligibility documentation must be submitted by no later than Thursday, May14, 2020.

Documentation Necessary if Selected:

• Copy of your 2018 Sch C, or first page of your business tax return (1120s, or 1065) or PL for Jan-Dec 2019
• Copies of due utility bills (gas, water, electricity)
• Copies of your current lease or rental agreement.
• Copy of applicant owner's drivers license or California ID
• Bank statements from March and April 2020
• Additional demographic data will be required for successful applicants

For questions about the application and grant process please call El Pajaro Community Development Corporation at 831.722.1224 or via email at info@elpajarocdc.org

Business and Business Emergency Assistance Program

On March 27, 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Economic Relief and Relief Act (CARES) to support community preparedness and response to the COVID-19 pandemic and identified additional funding for the City of Watsonville through its Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG).

The City of Watsonville is partnering with El Pajaro Community Development Corporation to promote and manage the program. This program is designed to help small businesses in Watsonville affected by the COVID-19 economic crisis with a grant of up to $ 2000.

Grant funds can be used to help pay for rent and / or utilities incurred after March 15, 2020. The CARES Act requires us to avoid duplication of benefits, which means that the funds from the Grants cannot be used to pay business expenses / costs if another source of financial assistance is available to pay that cost (ie, Small Business Administration loans).

Payments of emergency assistance funds will be made directly to the service provider (owner / utility company) on behalf of the company.

Email applications will be accepted beginning Tuesday, May 5, 2020 through Friday, May 8, 2020 at 12:00 pm It is anticipated that 50 grants will be disbursed through this effort. After the application period closes, companies will be randomly selected to continue the grant application process and document verification. All applicants who are not selected in the first round of funding will be placed on a waiting list and may be eligible to receive funds if funds are available.

Eligibility:

1. The business must be located within the city limits of Watsonville.

2. Have a current business license with the city of Watsonville.

3. Have $ 2,000,000 or less in gross annual income.

4. Businesses that have received an SBA economic injury disaster loan program will not be eligible

5. Store and franchise and non-profit chains are not eligible to apply.

6. Priority will be given to women-owned and minority-owned companies.

Request:

An application must be submitted online (internet ) between Tuesday, May 5 and Friday, May 8, 2020. Applications must be submitted before 3:00 pm on Friday to participate in the selection process.

If you are selected, the following documentation must be provided ELECTRONICALLY within four days of receipt of notification that your application is being considered for funding (paper documentation will not be accepted).

Selected applicants will be notified by email by Monday, May 11, 2020 and supporting documentation of eligibility must be submitted by Thursday, May 14, 2020.

Documentation required if selected:

• Copy of your C 2018 form, or the first page of your business tax return (1120 or 1065) or the Statement of profit and loss (P&L) for January-December 2019
• Copies of bills owed for public services (gas, water, electricity)
• Copies of your current lease or rental agreement.
• Copy of applicant's owner's driver's license or California ID
• Bank statements for March and April 2020
• Additional demographics will be required for successful applicants

For questions about the application and grant process, call El Pájaro Community Development Corporation at 831.722.1224 or email info@elpajarocdc.org

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