SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Distribution of $17 million from the federal coronavirus aid bill as part of a small business stimulus program was unanimously approved on Tuesday by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.
The five supervisors will allocate the funding to help businesses impacted by the coronavirus in their districts.
The board tentatively approved the distribution of the funds on May 19 but they then asked county staff to report back in 45 days with recommendations on implementing the economic stimulus program.
Supervisors Nathan Fletcher and Dianne Jacob co-authored the original proposal. Fletcher suggested applications should be in several languages, including Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese.
Jacob expressed concern about the cost of translating applications or whether they would slow the application process.
Printing applications in other languages would cost $11,000 and create a three week lag time, according to Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer.
The $17 million came in as part of the federal CARES Act Bill. In order to qualify, applicants must prove:
- 100 or fewer employees
- Headquarters in San Diego County
- A minimum of 1-year operating history as of Feb. 14, 2020
- Documentation of financial hardship because of COVID-19
- Can be nonprofit or for-profit
"We want to make sure we're serving everybody," Jacob said. "I want to get the applications ready. We need to get this money out the door or lose it."
Applications for the grants will stay open through October 16 unless the money is given out before then.
If you are interested in applying for a grant, click here.