BACKGROUND
On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law, allocating $32.3 million of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to the City of Oceanside. On August 4, 2021, City Council approved the spending plan for the City’s first distribution of ARPA funds, which includes $300,000 to be used for grants to businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Grant funds will be awarded to businesses on a priority basis according to the following tiers as well as through demonstration of financial injury shown on Profit and Loss Statements submitted for review. Businesses that were required to cease operations entirely due to State and County Health Orders will receive first priority for grant funding.
Businesses that received a grant through the previous, CARES Act-funded grant programs can apply to receive additional funds; however, businesses that did not receive previous grant funds will have priority.
Tier 1
Independently-owned businesses located in Oceanside that opened prior to March 15, 2020, and were mandated by government action or decree to close for a significant period of time due to COVID-19
Tier 2
Independently-owned businesses located in Oceanside that opened prior to March 15, 2020, that were mandated by government action or decree to significantly alter their business activity due to COVID-19 for a significant period of time
OR
Independently-owned businesses located in Oceanside that opened after March 15, 2020, and were mandated by government action or decree to close or significantly alter their business activity due to COVID – 19
OR
Independently-owned businesses located in Oceanside that can demonstrate that their business was negatively affected by COVID-19 but that were not ordered to alter business practices other than requirements related to reducing occupancy and observing social distancing
Tier 3
Businesses that are located in Oceanside, are home-based* or are part of a national and/or regional franchise and were mandated by government action or decree to close or significantly alter their business activity due to COVID-19
*Short term vacation rental businesses are not eligible
GRANT AMOUNTS
Grants ranging from $1,000 to $7,500 will be awarded based on a standard rubric factoring in business tier and financial impact of COVID-19.
TRANSPARENCY
In order to maintain transparency for this program, business names, grant amounts and terms will be public information.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The application period will open on October 11, 2021 and close on November 19, 2021 at which point all applications received will be reviewed based on the standard eligibility criteria. Businesses within the MainStreet Oceanside District can apply through MainStreet Oceanside's application. Businesses located outside the MainStreet district may apply using the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce application.
It is anticipated that grant funds will be distributed in December 2021.
QUESTIONS
For any questions, please contact MainStreet Oceanside at 760-754-4512 or the Oceanside Chamber at 760-722-1534
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