GRANTS AND LOANS

• (Updated 1/12/21) Visit our San Marcos Chamber Member bank lenders for financial assistance. Sign-up to be notified of when the online loan application process opens:

  California Bank Trust (click on the “Get Notified” button)

  Frontwave Credit Union (currently preparing to go live with new round of PPP loan applications, please continue to check their site for updates)

• Small Business Administration (SBA) offers multiple funding options.
• Local nonprofit Accion is offering small business loans from $5,500 to $50,000 at 1% interest rate to existing businesses located in San Diego County with fewer than 50 employees. Visit socal.accion.org/loans to learn more and apply. Accion’s partners at the San Diego & Imperial Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC) are ready to help you get materials ready for this loan program and to understand any other disaster assistance programs. For support, please register at sdsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/signup
• The GoFundMe.org Small Business Relief Fund provides grants to small businesses facing financial hardships due to COVID-19. To see criteria and qualifications click here.
• Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program Information
• The Small Business Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program – offers state funding via IBank to provide potential capital for those that do not qualify for federal funds such as the PPP or SBA programs.
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): As part of the federal CARES Act, the new ***Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program helps unemployed Californians who are business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, have limited work history, and others not usually eligible for regular state UI benefits who are out of business or services are significantly reduced as a direct result of the pandemic. 
• The Small Business Stimulus Grant Program  – Offers financial relief to eligible businesses suffering economic losses due to COVID-19. It’s designed to help for-profit and nonprofit businesses.

State Business Resources

Official California State Government Website

Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)

The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) COVID-19 Business Resources website is the central hub for all state-related information related to businesses during this crisis. It serves to support small businesses, nonprofits, freelancers, and independent contractors.

COVID-19 Business Hotline: (877) 345-4633

Submit a request to GO-Biz Help Center

IBank – Small Business Finance Center for small business financing options and additional benefits for disaster areas: http://www.ibank.ca.gov/small-business-finance-center/ SBFC programs can be accessed locally by calling your nearest Financial
Development Corporation. 

California Southern Small Business Development Corporation
San Diego Website: https://casouth.com/

North San Diego Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

The North San Diego Small Business Development Center (SBDC) exists to serve dedicated entrepreneurs and business owners who want to strengthen their path to success by utilizing the powerful partnerships of the San Diego & Imperial Small Business Development Center Network.

We believe that every entrepreneur should have access to expertise, relationships and an understanding of the business community at large. The North San Diego Small Business Development Center  offers business consulting and training. Our goal is to help emerging and existing entrepreneurs gain control of their business operations. We provide free local guidance and consulting in all aspects of funding and developing small business. 

Phone: (760)795-8740
Email: [email protected]

San Diego SBDC COVID-19 Small Business Resources
FREE 1:1 Business Consulting

San Marcos Chamber Calendar of Events is located on the Chamber’s website for an up-to-date list of Chamber Events.

San Diego County Update for the Business Community

Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist

U.S. Chamber Releases Two New Step-by-Step Guides for COVID Employer Tax Credit, Disaster Loans

CalChamber

Guide to Emergency Payroll Protection Loan (CARES Act) – see more below

Emergency Loans Guide and Checklist

San Marcos’ Business Sustainability Program

Apply for a Temporary Outdoor Business Permit

Paycheck Protection Program update: the SBA is currently unable to accept new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program based on available appropriations funding

Guide to Independent Contractors’ CARES Act Relief

Business Toolkits and Information

Access the template to submit your Safe Reopening Plan here: link

Ready to Reopen: A Playbook for Your Small Business by the U.S. Chamber

San Marcos launches new COVID-19 Business Economic Recovery Plan loaded with tools and resources to help business owners prepare to reopen when they are ready. 

No COVID-19 Testing Required Before Employees Can Go Back to Work. Based on new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is no longer recommended that employers require employees who tested positive for COVID-19 to be tested again before they can return to work. The CDC test-based strategy is no longer recommended to determine when to discontinue home isolation, except in certain circumstances. Please see the Employee Flowchart for Non-healthcare Personnel to determine what to do in the event an employee tests positive for COVID-19.

• Watch Vaccine Town Hall Meeting with Supervisor Jim Desmond (January 7, 2021)
• Support for distance-learning children of San Marcos parents returning to work at the San Marcos Learning Hubs Program
• County of San Diego Corona Virus website  (county, state and federal resource links available for each business sector)
• COX Communications – increased support for Connect2Compete, a low-cost, high speed internet service for families with school-aged children who are enrolled in low-income assistance programs.
• 2-1-1 San Diego
  Call 2-1-1 San Diego for assistance accessing free or low-cost internet services during COVID-19.
• SDG&E Customer Service
  – Payment arrangements made for clients dealing with financial hardships due to COVID-19
• San Marcos Business Support Page
• Cal State San Marcos is offering a San Diego County-operated, no-appointment walk-up coronavirus testing site 
• The San Diego Workforce Partnership and UC San Diego Extension are offering a new way to advance your career. The Workforce ISA Fund offers access to high-quality certification programs in fast-growing technology fields, such as Front-End Development and Business Intelligence. They also provide career readiness, mentoring, and job placement support. 
• Access the weekly COVID-19 surveillance report published by the County of San Diego 

• The White House News – Visit this site for the latest updates from the Trump Administration, including briefings and statements, Presidential actions, and news articles. 

• Congress.gov – The official website for U.S. federal legislative information.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the most up-to-date information on COVID-19.
  • About the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  • Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  • Preventing Stigma Related to COVID-19
  • Share Facts about COVID-19
  • Information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Prevention, Symptoms and FAQ

• OSHA’s Response to Workplace Safety and Coronavirus Exposure – how employers should protect their employees. 

• US Department of Agriculture – Frequently asked questions on USDA Loans, service centers, food safety, trade and more.

• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a nationwide Order that temporarily halts all Evictions for non-payment of rent due to a household’s loss of income or extraordinary medical expenses. The order by the CDC can be read HERE.