Overview

On March 13, 2020, the White House issued a proclamation declaring national emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (“COVID-19”) outbreak. In response to COVID-19, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a Shelter in Place order the same day to combat and slow the spread of COVID-19. Since March 2020, and despite federal stimulus and small business efforts to pivot, adapt to new health and safety guidance, and shift to online sales where feasible, many small businesses continue to face enormous risks to their comeback. Today, with California’s COVID-19 cases rising due to the Delta variant, small businesses are still facing financial hardship and limits on their operations. Hardest hit are those microbusinesses that are in geographically dispersed counties or industries severely impacted by COVID-19 health and safety orders.

​

Existing law (Government Code Section 12100.83) establishes the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program within the Office of Small Business Advocate within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (CalOSBA). The program requires CalOSBA to make grants to assist qualified small businesses negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, in accordance with specified criteria, including geographic distribution based on COVID-19 restrictions and industry sectors most impacted by the pandemic.

​

The  Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program (Government Code Section 12100.90-12100.95) was created within CalOSBA to assist qualified microbusinesses, as defined, that have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with grants in the amount of $2,500 to each eligible microbusiness that is selected for an award. Under the Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program, CalOSBA must administer a Request for Proposal (RFP) for eligible grantmaking entities defined as a county or in certain cases, a nonprofit or consortium of nonprofit community-based organizations, to administer the Program in California counties.

​

The County of Orange, in partnership with the Orange County Workforce Development Board (OCWDB),  California Office of the Small Business Advocate, U.S. Small Business Administration, Orange County Small Business Development Center, SCORE, Orange County Public Libraries, City of Garden Grove, City of Irvine, City of Laguna Niguel, City of Mission Viejo, City of Rancho Santa Margarita, City of Santa Ana,  Special District of Rossmoor, Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, La Habra Area Chamber of Commerce, Orange Chamber of Commerce, and San Clemente Chamber of Commerce is awarding grants to assist qualified microbusinesses in Orange County that have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.

​

Qualified microbusiness means an entity that meets and self-certifies, under penalty of perjury, all of the following criteria:

• The microbusiness began its operation prior to December 31, 2019.

• The microbusiness is currently active and operating or has a clear plan to reopen when the state permits reopening of the business.

• The microbusiness was significantly impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.

• The microbusiness had less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in revenues in the 2019 taxable year.

• The microbusiness currently has fewer than five full-time equivalent employees and had fewer than five full-time equivalent employees in the 2019 and 2020 taxable years.

• The microbusiness is not a business excluded from participation in the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program, as specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 12100.82.

Qualified microbusiness owner means an individual that meets and self-certifies, under penalty of perjury, all of the following criteria:

• The microbusiness owner is the majority-owner and manager of the qualified microbusiness.

• The microbusiness owner’s primary means of income in the 2019 taxable year was the qualified microbusiness.

• The microbusiness owner did not receive a grant under the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program.

• The microbusiness owner can demonstrate their eligibility as a “qualified microbusiness owner” by providing the fiscal agent with a government issued photo identification (state, domestic, or foreign), and documentation that includes the owner’s name and may include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • A local business permit or license.

  • A bank statement.

  • A tax return.

  • Trade account.

  • Third-party verification

​

The Orange County Microbusiness Grant Program provides approximately $2,500.00 in one-time grant funding to approximately 1,470 Orange County microbusiness.  The intent of the funding is to provide relief to the hardest to reach qualified microbusinesses and entrepreneurs. The goal is to identify and engage eligible microbusinesses that face systemic barriers to access capital, including but not limited to, businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans, individuals without documentation (undocumented), individuals with limited English proficiency, and business owners located in low-wealth and rural, communities throughout Orange County. 

​

The online grant applications period will remain open until all available funds have been awarded to eligible businesses, or until March 31, 2023, whichever happens first. Late applications will not be accepted. Grants will be awarded based on meeting the grant qualifications, demonstrating the ability to use the funds based on eligible use, priority grantee status and meeting the eligible business requirements. Grantee will receive one payment in the amount of $2,500.00 to use towards eligible expenses and the payment must be spent before April 30, 2023. Funding provided under this program must be used solely for the purposes stipulated on this website and subsequently in the agreement between Orange County and qualified microbusiness recipient. Grants are awarded to eligible businesses on a first-come basis.