Saida Maalin | Contributor
The City of Riverside has announced a funding opportunity to help local small businesses during this global crisis.
A Microenterprise Business Grant program has been announced by United Way Inland Valley’s project partnering with the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program that will help low income persons in many ways.
The Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act has provided additional funding to the city of Riverside to prevent, prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Businesses in the City of Riverside with five or less employees are encouraged to apply; business owners must have low to moderate income and employ low to moderate income employees.
In order to apply, owners must have a business license, insurance, proof of income and documents that provide information regarding estimates for new equipment, payments made for unemployment benefits and proof of decreased revenue.
Funding is on a first come, first serve basis and can be used if owners meet CDBG and CARES Act requirements for eligible activities. These activities and objectives include aid in the prevention or elimination of slum or blight; meet a need having particular urgency; and benefit low to moderate income individuals.
Some ineligible activities that funding may not be used for include: religious activities, purchasing construction equipment, furniture, motor-vehicles, general government expenses, political activities and other unnecessary spending. Applicants will have to prove the CDBG funds are used on approved objectives.
Applications should be completed with all necessary information and applicants must know missing information or applications will not be considered or accepted.
For additional information contact Jennifer Thornton, Program Manager at (951) 697-4700 or email JThornton@UWIV.org.
Interested owners that fit criteria for eligibility may visit https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CARIVERSIDE/bulletins/28e868b to download the Microenterprise Business grant application.