City support

As mayor, I am aware of the effects the pandemic has had on our community, especially our local businesses. In this month’s column, you will learn how the city is supporting our businesses withstatefunding, partnerships with our Capitola/ Soquel Chamber of Commerce and Business Association. In addition, you will receive some historical information on femaleowned businesses and more from current female business owners.

At the onset of the pandemic, the city created the Capitola Business Recovery Task Force. The task force is made up of Capitola business owners from different business sectors, commercial property owners, the Capitola Chamber of Commerce, the Village BIA, city staff, and Rich Hill, member of SCORE and former Capitola city manager. The task force meets monthly to provide updates on business-related COVID-19 impacts and relief efforts.

The Capitola City Council recently approved the utilization of federal grant funding to support local businesses through small grants. The final details of the grant and application are currently under review by the state. The grant will support approximately 33 Capitola businesses to receive up to $7,500 in rental assistance. To receive information on the grants when published, email economicdevelopment@ci.capitola. ca.us.

There is also some additional exciting news for our region. The National Development Council was awarded a $2.75 million Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund to create