Hundreds of businesses apply for coronavirus relief grants in Stanislaus County
Stanislaus County officials will use a scoring criteria to choose businesses for $10,000 relief grants to help them survive the coronavirus pandemic.
County supervisors on April 7 approved a $1 million program providing relief for struggling businesses that complied with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s orders to help slow the spread of coronavirus.
The county relief is intended as a bridge to other assistance from the federal stimulus package and other government sources.
On Tuesday, supervisors will consider a system for scoring the applications and awarding the $10,000 grants.
The county opened the application period April 13, and 275 completed applications were received at the Workforce Development center by close of business Thursday. The county expects to see a total of 500 applications before the window closes Tuesday.
The relief program aims to assist businesses that operate with no more than 50 employees.
Staff came up with criteria for reviewing the applications, including a review of the previous health of the business, how the business has struggled during the shutdown orders, and how the applicant will spend the grant funding.
Past revenue and any bankruptcy filings in the last three years could determine if a business receives grant funding.
Other considerations are staffing levels before and after the public health emergency; whether the business is essential or non-essential under the state’s stay-at-home order issued March 16; and if the business is affected by supply chain shortages.
Applicants also need to outline their funding needs in the next 30 days, have a short-term plan for spending the grant and disclose whether they are applying for state and federal assistance.
A flow chart for the Small Business Relief Program shows six different steps before a business owner is possibly issued a check by Valley First Credit Union, which is involved with the review process.
With an initial $1 million in funding available, the county can award $10,000 grants to 100 businesses to help them cover rent, payroll, utilities or other expenses. An additional $150,000 has been added to the pot.
Stanislaus business leaders contribute to grant fund
A group of business leaders in coordination with the Stanislaus Community Foundation has raised an additional $150,000 for the relief program.
“As business leaders in our community, it makes a lot of sense for us to start a conversation of how we can help those in need, especially other businesses that are impacted by the shutdown,” said Brad Ardis, co-owner of Huff Construction.
Said Evan Porges, who with his father, Norm Porges, founded and operated the Prime Shine Car Wash chain for almost 30 years: “The strength of a community is in its desire to help others in time of need. This community has been wonderful to our family and we feel a sense of duty to give back during this unprecedented loss to small business and non-profits.”
The Stanislaus Community Foundation said it is offering support to nonprofit groups dealing with revenue and operation disruptions during the pandemic. Nonprofit groups are not eligible for the county’s business relief effort.
The county Board of Supervisors will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Board meetings are closed because of the coronavirus emergency. Those wishing to comment on an agenda item can make arrangements to address the board via telephone by calling (209) 525-4494.
Board meetings are broadcast on cable Channel 7 in Modesto. Other channels and broadcast times can be found at www.stancounty.com/board/
This story was originally published April 20, 2020 at 11:25 AM.
