BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

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

June 15, 2021: State of California Reopening: As of June 15, 2021, the Governor terminated the executive orders that put into place the 'Stay Home Order' and the 'Blueprint for a Safer Economy.' He also phased out the vast majority of executive actions put in place since March 2020 as part of the pandemic response, leaving a subset of provisions that facilitate the ongoing recovery.

The new public health order effective June 15 supersedes all prior health orders.

The order has limited restrictions, only related to masking and mega-events, as well as settings serving children and youth pending an expected update to the K-12 schools guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Restrictions that ended on June 15 include:

Physical distancing
Capacity limits on businesses
County tier system

Read the Governor’s orders: N-07-21 and N-08-21.

Find details in the California Department of Public Health’s Beyond the Blueprint for Industry and Business Sectors and the Questions & Answers.

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:

Dining
Cardrooms
Personal Care Services (hair care, nail salons, massage, tanning and tailoring)
Gyms
Non-Critical Businesses (offices)
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.

Accounting Advice, Business Consulting, Application Assistance for Funding, Pivot Strategy
Accounting, Bookkeeping, Payroll & Tax Advice, Quickbooks Training & Referral, Other Online Business Resources
Legal /Contracts Assistance & Referral, Small Business, Retirement Information
Creative Marketing, Business Strategy, Contingency Planning, Spending Habits, and more!

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:

Must operate a San Bruno-based business
Must attend SBRAP coaching sessions
Applications subject to financial and need-based review
Must attend an information session

Applications open: April 30, 2021

Application deadline: May 31, 2021

Application now open here.

Contact baec@smccd.edu for more information.

California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program

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.

U.S. Small Business Administration Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

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:

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.

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.

For assistance, contact the SBA San Francisco District Office.

Restaurant Revitalization Fund

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.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

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.

COUNTY