The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has developed the following temporary programs, in addition to traditional SBA funding programs, to assist in overcoming the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Webinars and other helpful online resources from the SBA can be accessed here.
List of lenders partnering with the Small Business Administration
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act reimburses small to midsize employers through two refundable payroll tax credit programs designed to fully reimburse employers for the cost of providing COVID-19 leave to employees.
Treasury, IRS and Labor has launched the Employee Retention Credit that is designed to encourage businesses to keep employees on their payroll. The refundable tax credit is available for businesses financially impacted by COVID-19.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness applications are available for businesses that have met the eligibility guidelines and are requesting forgiveness on loans. For more information about Loan Forgiveness or to apply for the program, click here.
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for California businesses affected by severe weather conditions. Businesses and nonprofits may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property, machinery, equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Interest rates as low as 4% for businesses and 2.47% for nonprofits with terms up to 30 years. To apply contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency or call the SBA Service Center at (800) 659-2955.
For latest resources, guidance and insights to protect and assist American businesses, workers and families, visit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Join the webinars being offered to employers discussing their most pressing business problems, solutions and support.
The Economic Resources Corporation and Small Business Development Center offer in-depth information on how to apply for various loans and grants including the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program.
The State of California has allocated an additional $12.5 million to the California Rebuilding Fund. The fund makes available $25 million to help impacted small businesses rebuild from the economic crisis. To receive information on the California Rebuilding Fund for small businesses/borrowers when available, click here.
The Orange County Inland Empire (OCIE) Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network is partnering with the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) to introduce the California Dream Fund. This is a one-time $35 million grant program providing grants up to $10,000 to seed entrepreneurship and small business creation for businesses started in California on or after July 1, 2019. To be eligible to apply, businesses can apply for an approved OCIE SBDC startup training program here. The California Dream Fund Grant Program will be open until funds are exhausted.
Visit CalChamber Advocacy as they continue to provide more information on Federal, State and Local resources.
The State of California’s Employment Development Department (EDD) offers the Unemployment Insurance Work Sharing Program as an alternative to layoffs should a business see reduction in production or services.
The California State Treasurer's office has monthly newsletters you can subscribe to as well as a resource page to keep you up to date with the latest COVID-19 information.
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) lists resources with links to helpful information for employers and their employees as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants, loans and other funding opportunities are also posted on the site. The updated California Business Comeback Guide is now available which details available and forecasted business incentives, Finding Funding Toolkits, and a listing of all GO-Biz agency email subscriptions.
The Small Business Finance Center has allocated funds to its Small Business Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program to help eliminate barriers to capital for individuals who do not qualify for federal funds, including low wealth and undocumented immigrant communities.
A summary of Benefits for Worker’s Impacted by COVID-19 is available from the Labor & Workforce Development Agency as well as resources for employers and workers. In addition, business owners experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19 may request up to a 60-day extension from EDD to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest. For questions, employers may contact the EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center.
Inland Empire Small Business Development Center provides strategies and resources on how to keep your business operations compliant and healthy during this pandemic and provides video guidance on step-by-step assistance for completing various U.S. Small Business Administration forms. Free webinars are available that cover a number of topics and webinar series designed to help business owners adapt to the challenges of COVID-19
Events
ASK SBDC Every Wednesday 3 pm
Loans for Your Small Business - Various Locations
Webinar: Doing Business with the County of San Bernardino
The San Bernardino County Economic Development Agency has highlighted current initiatives that are geared to assist all business industries and sectors. They also offer quick and easy-to-read fact sheets about incentives and resources available to businesses in the County of San Bernardino.
Applications for the San Bernardino County Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant are currently being accepted, and will continue until funds are exhausted. The grant is designed to assist businesses that have experienced economic barriers due to the effects of the global pandemic. For more information or to apply, click here.
The San Bernardino Workforce Development Board supports local businesses by providing resources and tools that can save you money.
The Victor Valley Chamber of Commerce has proactively put together a list of webinars being offered by various agencies, including the joint partner webinar being held between the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board and the California Employers Association. These webinars are FREE! Click here to access dates and times of upcoming events.
During this health crisis, the City of Victorville’s Economic Development Department is your local connection to resources for financial relief, education, new business practices, and much more due to the COVID-19 pandemic! Contact us at (760) 955-5032, or Opportunities@victorvilleca.gov.
COVID-19 Utility Relief
Our utility partners have established temporary utility relief programs for our business community. Download the list to see relief programs offered by Southern California Edison, Southwest Gas, the Victorville Water District, Frontier Communications and Spectrum.
Neighborhood Housing Services of the Inland Empire (NHSIE) offers an Emergency Rental Assistant Program, which is offering to cover 100% of rent and utilities. The program has recently been extended until March 2022 and support can be requested as far back as April 2020. Webinars are also available to help answer questions on documents required and additional qualifications.
More helpful resources for Small Businesses
