At Monday’s meeting, the City Council authorized the use of $1,000,000 in matching funds for the Alameda County CARES Grant program. This action creates a pool of $2,000,000 that Livermore businesses can apply for at $5,000 per business, which can be used for rent, payroll, and other expenditures.

OVERVIEW

Alameda County CARES grants are in response to the economic, health and safety impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was authorized by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors when it redirected $5 million in CARES Act funds for a small business grant program in response to the economic, health and safety impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. East Bay EDA was designated to administer and coordinate the program for Alameda County.

The program prioritizes grants for small, local and emerging businesses within Alameda County to assist with the costs of business interruption caused by COVID-19. Grants are intended to assist small businesses with covering necessary costs due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, incurred between March 17, 2020 and December 30, 2020.

Eligible businesses can receive a one-time grant of $5,000. The grant does not require a matching contribution from the applicant and will not require repayment. Funds are limited and not everyone who applies is guaranteed to receive funding. Ineligible applicants are encouraged to seek these additional funding sources: Alameda County Arts Relief Grants Program (nonprofit arts organizations) and COVID-19 Business Adaptation Grants (unincorporated county areas).

ELIGIBILITY

Below are the eligibility criteria for Alameda County CARES grants:

  • Businesses physically located in Alameda County (excluding the unincorporated areas) that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19
  • Must agree to follow State of California & Alameda County Public Health Department COVID-19 guidelines to maintain a safe workplace
  • Employ between 1 and 25 employees (self-employed individuals are also eligible)
  • Valid business license for the location
  • Must upload a business IRS Form W-9
  • Business has been negatively impacted by one of these measures:
    • Temporary closure of any length due to COVID-19;
    • Layoff of one or more staff due to COVID-19

USE OF FUNDS

Funds from Alameda County CARES grants may only be used for unreimbursed costs incurred from March 17, 2020 to December 30, 2020 for the following items:

  • Rent/lease/mortgage and utility payments for business facilities
  • Payroll (may not be used to meet the same Payrolls an organization is paying for with funds received from the Paycheck Protection Program, but may be used to meet Payrolls after the organization has depleted their Payroll Protection Program funds) (self-certify)
  • Operating Expenses such as supplies, materials, insurance, etc.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), sanitation or health safety equipment
  • Reimbursement for digital technology equipment required to transition existing programs online.
  • Business adaptations to comply with or relating to new COVID-19 requirements needed for business operations or re-opening, such as interior and exterior reconfigurations including curb-side or storefront pick-up and delivery, partitions, temporary signage, outdoor seating (to encourage social distancing), and other required adaptations.

Grantees shall keep all receipts or records in the event the County must request them. The County reserves the right to audit records associated with CARES grants.

EXCLUSIONS

Alameda County CARES grants excludes all chain businesses not headquartered in Alameda County, financial institutions, banks, lenders, landlords of residential or commercial businesses, publicly traded companies, and non-profit entities. Only one grant per business in each city will be authorized.

APPLICATION PROCESS

START APPLICATION

GRANT DISBURSEMENT

Upon review of CARES grant applications by Alameda County staff and determination of meeting program requirements, disbursement will be made. All applicants will be notified of their application status.

OTHER INFORMATION

If the number of grant applications exceeds available funding levels, grants will be awarded by lottery. In addition, the types of businesses eligible for a CARES grant may be expanded if additional funding is available. Program guideline changes, including expansion of eligibility, may be granted by the County of Alameda at its discretion.

QUESTIONS?

We’re here to answer your questions about the Alameda County CARES grant program. Please visit our frequently asked questions below. If you have additional questions, complete the form below and a member of our team will get back to you. Frequently Asked Questions: English, Spanish (Español), Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt), Arabic (عربى), Chinese (中文).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS