COVID-19: SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
We know that local businesses are struggling during the current COVID-19 crisis. We have compiled these resources to assist San Bruno businesses during this difficult time.
We will be updating this webpage as we receive current information.
Do you have questions about how the San Mateo County Reopening Plan applies to your business?
Consult the FAQs on the San Mateo County website.
IMPORTANT UPDATES
May 11, 2021: The state of California today announced that, beginning Wednesday, May 12, a multitude of indoor businesses and activities in San Mateo County can reopen or expand as the risk from COVID-19 is “minimal.”
The move to the state’s least restrictive yellow tier allows expanded capacity at restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, indoor businesses and a host of other operations. Bars that do not serve food can reopen indoors with a maximum capacity of 25 percent or 100 people, whichever is fewer.
This is San Mateo County’s first time in the yellow tier since the state last summer unveiled the color-coded Blueprint for a Safer Economy.. The advance comes six weeks before Gov. Gavin Newsom has said the entire state may fully reopen on June 15.
County Health Aligns Face Mask Guidelines with State
Also today, Health Officer Dr. Scott Morrow has rescinded his June 17, 2020 order for social distancing guidelines and face covering requirements in favor of State guidance. The move allows San Mateo County to align with the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health. The CDPH issued its Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings on May 3, 2021.
For the full press release, please visit the San Mateo County website.
For the latest requirements and guidance from the County, visit San Mateo County Health's COVID-19 Requirements and Resources page.
August 28, 2020: Additional Outdoor Business Allowances for San Bruno Business Affected by COVID-19 Limitations of Indoor Operations
The City of San Bruno has developed additional outdoor regulations to assist our local businesses that are required to closed in order to modify their operations in a safe manner. While we all continue to work hard towards preventing the spread of COVID-19, we also want to resume some normalcy in our lives. Similar to the previous established temporary outdoor dining program, the new temporary regulations were developed to support our business community. Below is the list of the categories covered by the City’s temporary outdoor business regulations:
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Dining
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Cardrooms
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Personal Care Services (hair care, nail salons, massage, tanning and tailoring)
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Gyms
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Non-Critical Businesses (offices)
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Places of Worship
For complete guidance from the City, please visit the City of San Bruno website at https://www.sanbruno.ca.gov/news/displaynews.htm?NewsID=616&TargetID=1.
City of San Bruno
Commercial Eviction Moratorium
Urgency Ordinance No. 1879B: Temporary moratorium on evictions of commercial tenants for non-payment of rent directly caused by COVID-19. The term of this temporary moratorium shall be from the date of adoption until March 31, 2021, unless extended or replaced by an affirmative vote of the San Bruno City Council.
County of San Mateo
Free Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Small Businesses/Nonprofits
The County of San Mateo, in partnership with the San Mateo County Event Center and the San Mateo County Economic Development Association (SAMCEDA), will be distributing PPE to disadvantaged small business/non-profit organizations for the purpose of preparation and readiness for safe opening in accordance with California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Each business is invited to request a 30-day supply of PPE available in the County’s supply. PPE will be distributed starting June 17th at the San Mateo County Event Center through the online pre-ordering system. Priority will be given to businesses located in disadvantaged communities and small businesses with high-touch interactions with the public.
To submit your PPE request, please complete the form: https://bit.ly/3uvluHk
For more information, download the flyer.
With funding from the San Bruno Community Foundation, the Bay Area Entrepreneur Center of Skyline College is teaming up with the San Bruno Chamber of Commerce to provide San Bruno small businesses with advising and assistance as they reopen and recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Small Business Recovery & Assistance Program offers no-cost one-on-one expert advising, assistance, workshops, and online resources for the small business community. We are here to serve our businesses during these difficult times.
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Accounting Advice, Business Consulting, Application Assistance for Funding, Pivot Strategy
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Accounting, Bookkeeping, Payroll & Tax Advice, Quickbooks Training & Referral, Other Online Business Resources
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Legal /Contracts Assistance & Referral, Small Business, Retirement Information
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Creative Marketing, Business Strategy, Contingency Planning, Spending Habits, and more!
SIGN UP FOR THIS PROGRAM HERE
Micro Grants Program
A second round of Micro Grants are available to San Bruno small businesses participating in the Small Business Recovery & Assistance Program. Eligibility requirements include:
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Must operate a San Bruno-based business
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Must attend SBRAP coaching sessions
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Applications subject to financial and need-based review
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Must attend an information session
Applications open: April 30, 2021
Application deadline: May 31, 2021
Application now open here.
Contact for more information.
The $500 million California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program, as announced by Governor Gavin Newsom and the State Legislature, supports small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19 and the health and safety restrictions.
Applications for Round 6 open on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. and run through Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. Eligible small businesses and nonprofits may apply during these times, directly, at CAReliefGrant.com, or with assistance from a partner. Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the business' annual revenue.
One of the state’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Lendistry, is supporting the State to distribute these grants and partnering with other CDFIs and small business centers to assist with applications. To connect to a partner or find more information on the program and requirements, visit CAReliefGrant.com or join one of our small business webinars available daily in multiple languages. If interested in a webinar briefing on the grant program register here.
Small businesses (including sole proprietorships, independent contractors and self-employed persons) and nonprofits are eligible for COVID-19 emergency relief under the federal CARES Act. Visit the Small Administration (SBA) website to find out how you can apply. Key relief programs include:
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Paycheck Protection Program: A loan program to help small businesses including nonprofits to cover payroll during the immediate crisis. SBA will forgive loans if all employee retention criteria are met and the funds are used for eligible expenses. SBA is currently offering PPP loans until May 31, 2021. President Biden has also announced additional program changes to make access to PPP loans more equitable.
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Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Emergency Advance: The EIDL program provides small businesses including nonprofits with working capital loans to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
SBA is currently accepting new Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications from all qualified small businesses, including agricultural businesses, and private nonprofit organizations.
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For assistance, contact the SBA San Francisco District Office.
The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.
Registration for the SBA application portal begins on Friday, April 30, 2021, at 6:00 a.m. PDT. Applications open on Monday, May 3, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. PDT.
As part of the CARES Act, the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program helps unemployed Californians who are business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, have limited work history, and others not usually eligible for regular state UI benefits who are out of business or whose services are significantly reduced as a direct result of the pandemic.
The federal government has approved an additional 11 weeks of PUA benefits. This extension began December 27, 2020, under the Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act of 2020. With the new extension, PUA includes up to 57 weeks of benefits, beginning February 2, 2020.
For information on this program, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit the EDD website.
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