The City of Alhambra established a Small Business Assistance Grant (SBAG) Program to support local small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The grants aim to retain the continuity of business operations for services to the community and/or assist income-qualified microenterprises.

Grants

Financial assistance in one-time $5,000 grants is available to eligible applicants. Grants are based on availability, program guidelines, and the submission of all required information and supporting documentation proving financial hardship or recovery relating to COVID-19.

Eligibility

The business applicant must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for grant funding:

• A for-profit and physically located in the city limits of Alhambra with no more than 25 employees including the owner(s) or be a microbusiness with 5 or fewer employees including the owner(s).
• The business must have a current business license with the City of Alhambra.
• Also, the business must have been operational for at least six months.
• The business must be in good standing with the City. There must be no liens against the business.
• Must obtain D-U-N-S Number if awarded a grant.
• The business must have experienced demonstrable impact or hardship in business operations due to COVID-19.
• In addition, the business must meet HUD’s criteria of low-income benefit.
• The business must not have received business assistance from other sources. Relief is not eligible if the funds are a duplication of benefits provided by the City.
• The business must submit the application, as well as all required supporting documentation including a W-9 Form.
• The business must have incurred COVID-related expenses prior to the submittal of this application.
•  Moreover, city employees and elected officials are not eligible to participate in this program.

Eligible Activities

Grants may be awarded to small businesses in order to mitigate financial hardships created from the pandemic such as restricted operations and/or to implement safer operating procedures or operations in order to respond, prevent or mitigate the COVID-19 public health emergency.  Funds can also be used to drive economic recovery as in responding to the Coronavirus recession and, for example, retooling the small business to address new market niches.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

1. Overhead expenses.
2. Rent and utilities.
3. Business services to increases capacity to carry out business activities including marketing and promotions.
4. Payroll expenses including hiring bonuses (within limits).
5. Business inventory and supplies including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
6. Day-to-day expenses

Application

The application includes information about:

• the small business
• number of employees in the business
• location of the business
• amount of time in business
• financial documentation indicating the negative impact due to COVID-19.

The application and Grant Agreement will require the following attestations:

1. Certification that the grant spending records will be available for audit when requested.
2. The business agrees to maintain all records pertaining to the grant for at least five years.