Hermosa Beach offers $10,000 pandemic relief grants to local businesses
Java Man in downtown Hermosa Beach is among the businesses that have adapted to the pandemic restrictions. For others, Hermosa Beach is offering $10,000 grants. Photo by Kevin Cody
by Dan Blackburn
Grants of $10,000 will be issued to a limited number of Hermosa Beach businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic, under a program approved by the Hermosa Beach City Council at its Tuesday meeting.
The funds, totaling $110,000, will come from the city’s Community Development Block Grant. The federal funds are intended to create or retain jobs for low- and moderate-income workers, and may be used for payroll and other operational expenses.
Loan recipients will be chosen by lottery from among the businesses that apply for the grants.
The grant applications must be submitted to the County’s Community Development Block Grant program website between Monday, March 1 and Friday, March 5.
“We understand the struggles local businesses have faced during the pandemic and re-directing Small Business Grant Assistance Program funds is another way the City is helping them,” said Hermosa Beach Mayor Justin Massey.
According to a press release from the city, eligible businesses are:
- Small businesses with fewer than 500 employees that have been impacted by COVID-19.
- Restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, cafés, gastropubs, salons, barbers and other grooming businesses, gyms, day spas, and fitness studios.
- Retail and commercial stores, such as local markets, consumer goods, electronics, appliances, health and sporting goods, furniture, clothing and shoes, books, and music stores.
Businesses must have a city business license, no unresolved municipal or health code violations, and must have been in continuous operation for two years.
For more information, including a list of businesses excluded from the program, go to the Small Business Grant Assistance Program Fact Sheet between March 1 and March 5. ER