Last day to apply for pandemic relief grants in Ventura County; Guadalupe offers startup assistance
The application window for Ventura County’s COVID-19 assistance grant program to help businesses and nonprofit organizations will close at 6 p.m. on Sept. 2.
Ventura County launched its fourth COVID-19 assistance grant program for businesses and nonprofits that did not receive a grant during the county’s prior business programs. Ventura County-based businesses and nonprofits may be eligible for a $10,000 grant award, according to the county.
Applicants will need to provide a photo ID, tax returns from 2019 or 2020, proof of physical address in Ventura County, and a signed and dated Internal Revenue Service Form W-9. Nonprofits must show an IRS determination letter.
More information, including the eligibility criteria and the application, is available at VCBusinessGrants.org.
GUADALUPE GRANTS
Technical and financial assistance is available for people looking to start a business in the city of Guadalupe in Santa Barbara County.
City officials announced Sept. 1 that the city received $250,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant economic development funding to support local businesses and Guadalupe residents desiring to start a business.
The nonprofit Los Amigos de Guadalupe will work in partnership with the city to offer micro-enterprise businesses or individuals with technical services and possibly financial assistance services, according to City Administrator Todd Bodem.
Technical assistance includes a business assessment and business-related classes and one-on-one coaching to help business owners or people looking to start a business increase their knowledge about running a successful business, Bodem said in a statement. The training, counseling, coaching and other education will be provided at no cost.
“Once the business owners or individuals looking to start a business complete the technical assistance, they could be eligible for financial assistance in the form of loans, grants, or a combination of both,” Bodem said.
To participate in the program, businesses must be located in the city of Guadalupe and have an active business license. People hoping to start a business must reside within the city of Guadalupe boundaries, according to Los Amigos de Guadalupe.
For more information, email Bodem at tbodem@ci.guadalupe.ca.us, or visit losamigosdeguadalupe.org.
