PRESS RELEASE
CITY OF BENICIA
City Hall
250 East L Street
Benicia, California 94510
Contact:
Mario Giuliani
Economic Development Manager mgiuliani@ci.benicia.ca.us
707.746.4289
BOOST GRANTS OPEN FOR BENICIA BUSINESSES
Applications Accepted July 1-13, 2020
Benicia, CA (July 1, 2020) – The City of Benicia Economic Development Division announces BOOST (Business∙Open∙Opportunity∙Support∙Thrive) Grants and related grant guidelines are now available to help Benicia businesses navigate the impacts of the COVID-19 shutdown. The objective of the BOOST Grant is to assist those businesses most vulnerable with some relief to unexpected expenses or bridge a financial gap caused by the COVID-19 crisis, which will help the business continue operations and local employment in Benicia.
The grants, up to $10,000, are funded by a pool of $200,000 approved by the Benicia City Council on June 16. Small commercial and industrial businesses with 1-50 employees are eligible to apply. Grant funding may be used for lease payments, utilities, payroll and/or equipment expenditures that are needed to maintain or grow the businesses in the post COVID-19 economy.
Additional eligibility requirements include:
Business that has been negatively impacted by COVID-19 closures (25% decline in revenue).
Have already pursued other Federal or State Assistance.
Business that has been in operation in Benicia for over 1 year as of March 1, 2020.
Business in good standing with the City of Benicia and has a valid Benicia business license.
A six-member selection committee, comprised of City staff and economic development and business professionals, will evaluate the grant applications and make recommendations to City Manager Lorie Tinfow, for award of the grants. Selection priority will be given based upon:
Description of impact on your business due to COVID-19 and explanation of use of funds in sustaining your business.
Businesses that generate local sales tax revenue.
Businesses that maintain local jobs.
Tenure of local business.
Businesses that contribute to the City’s tourism effort.
BOOST Grant applications are available at www.BeniciaBusiness.com and will be accepted beginning July 1 through Monday, July 13, 2020 at 5 p.m. To apply, the application and required documentation listed in the grant guidelines should be emailed to Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani at mgiuliani@ci.benicia.ca.us. After Selection Committee review, grant award recipients will be announced on Monday, July 20, 2020. Grant funds will be available on or after Thursday, August 6, 2020.
“We know these grants are a modest amount compared to the overwhelming financial burden the COVID-19 restrictions have placed on our business community. Nevertheless, the BOOST Grants serve as a symbol of the City of Benicia and its citizen’s resolve to stand together with our businesses to persevere through the most trying economic crisis of our lifetime,” said the City’s Economic Development Manager, Mario Giuliani.
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Visit the BOOST Grant page for application and guidelines.