Dublin Small Businesses Can Apply For 1M Recovery Grant

Courtney Teague
Updated ·2 min read

DUBLIN, CA — The city is now accepting applications for its newly minted Small Business Recovery Boost Grant Program.

Businesses may seek up to $10,000 as part of the $1 million program, which will reimburse businesses for pandemic-related expenses from March 16.

Eligible businesses will be independent, brick-and-mortar businesses in the retail, restaurant, personal service, fitness and family entertainment industries — not chains, corporately held businesses, nonprofits, home-based businesses, hotels or financial institutions. Businesses should hold a city business license, be in good standing with the city and adhere to health orders, among other requirements.

Here's what businesses may request:

  • $10,000 for weather protection/visibility (e.g. tents, heaters, canopies)

  • $10,000 for interior alterations (e.g. acrylic partitions, air purifiers)

  • $10,000 for improvements for a take-out window

  • $5,000 for digital technology equipment or services (e.g. online or contactless payment, website creation)

  • $5,000 for personal protective equipment, or sanitation and health and safety equipment benefitting staff

  • $5,000 for marketing (e.g. signs, printed materials, social media)

The program has been funded with $1 million from the city's general fund reserves, Smith said.

The council approved the program at its meeting last Tuesday, a day after the council decided during a special meeting to put $200,000 toward Alameda County's new matching grant program for small businesses. That means Dublin's small businesses could receive up to $400,000 to help them address impacts of the coronavirus pandemic through the county's program.

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors used $5 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to create a small business grant program, and another $3 million in CARES Act funding was put toward a matching grant program to serve incorporated cities, according to a report from City Manager Linda Smith.

Previously, the council had appropriated some $987,000 toward the Dublin Small Business Emergency Microloan Program, including $467,000 in funding from the CARES Act. About $76,000 of the allocated funds were not used and will be reallocated toward the county's matching grant program.

Learn more about the program or apply here.

This article originally appeared on the Dublin Patch