Applications for smallbusiness grant funding close Thursday

Small- business owners seeking COVID-19 relief money will have until Thursday to submit their applications.

At its Oct. 27 meeting, the Vacaville City Council approved $275,000 in funds for the second round of the Vacaville Small Business Grant Program. The goal of the program is to reimburse costs incurred by the statewide closures resulting from the pandemic. The program utilizes CARES Act funds, and the first round $140,000 in grant funds to 13 local independent businesses.

“We developed the Vacaville Small Business Grant Program to help our small businesses that were forced to remain closed for an extended time due to the ongoing pandemic,” Mayor Ron Rowlett said in a statement. “COVID has been very hard on small businesses and that represents 95% of businesses in Vacaville, so we are glad to be able to provide some help through this program.”

The maximum grant award per business is $15,000. Complete eligibility requirements and additional details are available at Ci.vacaville.ca.us/ business/vacaville-small-business-grant-program.

Additionally, the city updated its Temporary Outdoor Business Permit Program — known as Vacaville Al Fresco — to make it easier for restaurants and retailers to operate outside during the cold and wet winter months. The program will allow for “winter comfort elements” such as temporary tents, canopies, umbrellas, and outdoor light sources.

Businesses who already received approval for the Temporary Outdoor Business Permit Program do not need to apply for a new application, although all businesses are required to adhere to the program’s operation standards.

Businesses that have not received permits may apply at Ci.vacaville.ca.us/home/showpublisheddocument?id=16993.

Staff will determine which applications are approved and may need to communicate with the business owner if modifications or additional information are needed.