COVID-19 Small Business Rental & Mortgage Assistance CDBG Grant Program

Santa Cruz SBDC Logo

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

City of Capitola is pleased to announce a partnership with Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center to develop a grant program that provides economic relief to small businesses that were negatively impacted by COVID-19.  Using CDBG Cares Act funding, the program offers up to $7,500 in grants to eligible applicants for use towards reimbursement of qualified rental or mortgage costs incurred between April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021.

An estimated thirty to thirty-five businesses are expected to benefit from the grant.  If the number of qualifying applications received exceeds the amount of funding available for disbursement, the City will implement a lottery system for all eligible applicants.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible: 

  • Business must demonstrate a financial need as a result of COVID-19.
  • Legally operate as a for-profit, brick and mortar business within the City of Capitola.  Home based businesses do not qualify.
  • Business must be legally operating since January 2019.
  • Business must have 25 or less full-time employees, or an equivalent combination of 25 full and part-time employees, including the owner.
  • A complete application must be received by the September 30, 2021 deadline, and supported with required documentation.
  • Business must meet a CDBG "National Objective."
  • Applicants can be current on their rent or mortgage.

HOW TO APPLY 

►CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center provides local support and tools to businesses to foster growth and success.  SBDC will use their technical expertise to implement the program, and ensure that most eligible businesses will benefit from the grant.

To obtain an application, click on the link above.  To receive additional assistance, interested applicants are encouraged to contact Kyle Roseman via email at sbdcprocessing@gmail.com, or by phone at (831) 346-6747.  

Complete applications are due on Thursday, September 30, 2021, 5:00 p.m.

SBDC will host webinars and in-person technical assistance to answer your questions, and provide guidance regarding the application process.

WEBINARS 

Webinars (Via Zoom) will be hosted on the following dates and times:

  • September 7, 2021, Tuesday, @ 2:00 PM
  • September 14, 2021, Tuesday, @ 10:00 AM
  • September 21, 2021, Tuesday, @ 2:00 PM
  • September 28, 2021, Tuesday, @ 10:00 AM

For information on how to join a webinar via zoom, click here.

IN-PERSON TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 

In-person support will be held at City Hall's Community Room at 420 Capitola Avenue, Capitola, Ca 95010 on the following dates and times:

  • September 14, 2021, Tuesday, @ 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • September 21, 2021, Tuesday, @ 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • September 28, 2021, Tuesday, @ 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM