San Mateo County opens new funding for small businesses

Published on November 08, 2021

The San Mateo County board of supervisors recently approved a new round of grants to help small businesses that have not received any assistance from the County, State or Federal COVID-19-relief programs in the past 12 months. The Small Business Grant Program will provide grants of up to $10,000 to each qualifying establishment to offset losses in revenue and past debt due to the COVID-19 pandemic state shutdown orders beginning in March 2020, ensure continued operation, and assist in covering current business operating expenses.

The funding must be used to ensure continued operation or assist in covering current business operating expenses, including, for example: current or past rent, payroll and other ongoing obligations. The application portal is now open until 5 p.m., Friday, November 12, 2021. 

To be eligible under the County’s small business assistance program, a business must meet all the following criteria:

• Business has not received a County small business grant or State or Federal small business COVID recovery grant or loan in the past 12 months;
• Demonstrate that the business was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic by providing completed tax returns from 2019 and 2020 including IRS Schedule C or Form 1065;
• Gross revenue must be $500,000 or less in 2019, or $1 million or less in 2019 for food-related businesses;
• Had 10 or fewer employees in 2019;
• Currently occupy a physical commercial business space in San Mateo County;
• If the business is a franchise, is independently owned and operated by a County resident, or 50% or more of the franchisee ownership must be comprised of County residents
• Applicant must be in full compliance with all applicable regulations for the business including, but not limited to regulations related to the following:
  • County Environmental Health permit
  • County/City planning and building requirements
  • State/County/City business and ABC permits
  • State and local minimum wage requirements
  • Health officer orders and other orders related to the COVID-19 public health emergency
• The establishment for which the grant is sought was being lawfully operated before March 11, 2020, when a local state of emergency was proclaimed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Applicants must possess and present a copy of government-issued photo identification. Legal residency is not a condition of approval, and no information will be shared with other government agencies.
• Establishments that have changed ownership since March 11, 2020, and otherwise meet the Program criteria above are eligible.

For more information, contact County of San Mateo staff.