Note: San Diego County is currently in the state’s Orange Tier, which increases indoor restaurant capacity to 50 percent, increases indoor gym and brewery capacity to 25 percent, and removes retail capacity limits. California plans to eliminate the tier system on June 15 if current trends continue—more updates and resources to come.
With continued changes to COVID-19 relief programs, it can be challenging to sift through what’s available. Below, EDC has outlined new and ongoing business resources available in April 2021 as your small business or manufacturer navigates the impacts of COVID-19.
1. Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG)
Open NOW: Via SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance, the SVOG will distribute $16 billion in grants first come, first served to venues closed due to COVID-19. Apply now.
- Award: Grant of 45 percent of gross earned revenue up to $10 million, with $2 billion reserved for applicants with up to 50 full-time employees
- Application period: Today (April 26) until funds are depleted
- Who’s eligible? Live venue operators/promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts organization operators, relevant museum operators, zoos, and aquariums, motion picture theater operators, talent representatives, and more
- Applicants must not have applied for or received a PPP loan on or after December 27, 2020
2. California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program
On April 28, the State of California will open a final round for its California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. Prepare to apply.
- Award: Grant of $5,000 to $25,000 per business
- Application period: April 28 to May 4
- Who’s eligible? Small businesses or nonprofits with yearly gross revenue of $2.5 million or less
- Awards are needs-based, not first-come, first-served
- Those who submitted their application and all documentation in earlier rounds do not need to reapply
Watch San Diego and Imperial Small Business Development Center’s on-demand webinars or contact EDC to learn more.
3. Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
PPP loans are designed as direct incentives for small businesses to keep workers on payroll. Both first and second-time borrowers may apply for a loan, with priority to companies that haven’t received a first loan and those in heavily impacted sectors.
For all PPP applications
- Application period: Ongoing through May 31, 2021
- PPP loans are nontaxable and will be forgivable if employee retention criteria is met
- Companies may receive both a PPP loan and EIDL loan without compromising PPP forgiveness
First Draw PPP
- Award: Loan size dependent on business, with a 1 percent interest rate
- Who’s eligible? Small businesses that meet SBA’s size standards, businesses with fewer than 500 employees or meet SBA’s industry size standards, or businesses with a NAICS code beginning with 72 with more than one physical location and fewer than 500 employees per location
Second Draw PPP
- Award: Loan of up to $2 million with a 1 percent interest rate
- Who’s eligible? Businesses above that have previously received a First Draw PPP loan and will or have used the full amount only for authorized uses, have no more than 300 employees, and can demonstrate at least a 25 percent reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020
Get expert help applying at no cost:
Contact our team via the San Diego Small Business Development Center.
4. Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
EIDLs are available to businesses, private non-profits, homeowners, and renters who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Apply now.
- Award: Loan up to $500,000 with 24 months of economic injury
- Application period: Ongoing
- Who’s eligible? Small business owners, qualified agricultural businesses, agricultural businesses with 500 or fewer employees, agricultural businesses engaged in food and fiber production, ranching, and raising of livestock, aquaculture, and more
5. Targeted EIDL Advance
Businesses and non-profit organizations that received a previous EIDL Advance in an amount less than $10,000 will have first priority to apply for the Targeted EIDL Advance. The SBA may reach out directly to you via email with instructions to determine eligibility and invite you to apply.
- Award: Grant amount dependent on business
- Application period: Ongoing
- Who’s eligible? Non-farm businesses with 300 or fewer employees, that are located in federally identified low-income communities, and can demonstrate a reduction in revenue of more than 30 percent during an eight week period beginning on or after March 2, 2020
- All communications from SBA will be sent from an official government email with an @sba.gov ending
EDC is here to help. Request our help finding resources, applying to relief programs, and more, at no charge.
For more COVID-19 recovery resources and information, please visit this page, or see how we can help your company free of charge.
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