Oakland, California – The Alameda County Board of Supervisors is pleased to announce the launch of the Alameda County CARES Grant program, which was made possible by the Board’s recent action to redirect $5 million in CARES Act funds to assist small businesses in response to the economic, health and safety impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Alameda County CARES Grant program prioritizes grants for small, local and emerging businesses within Alameda County to assist with the costs of business interruption caused by COVID-19. Grants are intended to assist small businesses with covering necessary costs due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, incurred between March 17, 2020 and December 30, 2020. Eligible businesses can receive a one-time grant of $5,000.
“Our small business community has been especially hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Alameda County is pleased that it is able to launch this much-needed grant program at this pivotal moment when we are experiencing a surge in new COVID-19 cases in our communities,” said Keith Carson, Vice President of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and Chair of the East Bay Economic Development Alliance (East Bay EDA). East Bay EDA will be providing administrative oversight and coordination of the Alameda County CARES Grant program.
Businesses that apply must have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 because they had to close or lay off staff due to COVID-19 and must possess a valid business license and agree to follow Alameda County Public Health guidelines. Funds from Alameda County CARES grants may only be used for unreimbursed costs incurred from March 17, 2020 to December 30, 2020 for specific items such as rent, payroll, and other operating expenses. The grant does not require a matching contribution from the applicant and will not require repayment. Funds are limited and not everyone who applies is guaranteed to receive funding. Cities that provide matching funds for small business grants will be eligible to access up to an additional $3 million from the county based upon a 1:1 match.
The grant application period opens on Monday, November 16 and will close on Monday, November 30 at 11:30 p.m. Businesses who need assistance with applying, including translation services, may contact their local chamber of commerce. For more information about the Alameda CARES Grant program, visit www.eastbayeda.org/grants.