LAKE COUNTY — Help to Lake County businesses during the pandemic has come in the form of state grants. “California is home to 4.1 million small businesses that employ nearly half of the state’s total workforce. To help keep these businesses afloat, the Governor proposed a total of $1.075 billion for the State’s Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program.” (as per the office of Gov. Gavin Newsom.)
In addition, according to the Lake County Economic Development Corporation, 79 local businesses were granted money through the Lake County CARES Small Business Assistance Grant Program during the end of 2020.
Rick White, Vice President of the LCEDC said, “These are interesting times that we’re living in but what I like seeing is the plethora of local resources that are working together to disseminate information about upcoming programs that can lend assistance, secure finances and provide guidance to small businesses in Lake County.”
“We know that many of our small businesses are struggling,” White said, “while others have found ways to adapt and keep their business moving forward. But what’s critical now is finding ways to ensure that we aren’t being overlooked and that all of our small businesses are made aware and are kept in the loop about finance opportunities like (paycheck protection program) PPP loans and special grant programs like the most recent CARES Act grant which was a nice lifeline that we hope came in time to keep businesses afloat. There is so much information coming from the Small Business Association, US Department of Agriculture and other state and federal government organizations that it may seem intimidating to some but there is help coming and you just have to know where to go and ask for help. My advice to local small businesses is that they should be joining their local business associations, trade organizations and the Chamber of Commerce so that they can be kept up-to-date about these programs which may make a difference. Also check in with Lake County EDC and Community Development Services.”
Mark Rudiger, owner of Lake County Websites and Computer repair in Middletown, was one of the 79 businesses who applied for and received a CARES grant ($7,000) to pay his commercial rent for six months. Rudiger said, “Businesses should apply. I’ve seen several go away since COVID. Business owners should be proactive to get into other markets and keep their businesses going. We have to be flexible.”
Weston Seifert, owner of Saw Shop Public House in Kelseyville, applied for and received a CARES grant for $20,000 to help offset the cost of outdoor dining. He bought a tent ($8,000), heaters ($5,000), tables and chairs. “Filling out the application wasn’t overly difficult,” he said. “They were really quick about getting me the money; one or two weeks. I ran it through Lake Economic Development Corporation (LCEDC) in the first phase of the CARES Act. It’s helped me to be able to stay open.”
“I’m incredibly thankful and grateful, said Seifert, “for the LCED and making the grants available to local business. It shows Lake County’s commitment to small businesses and that’s what makes Lake County a great place to own a small business. The community support throughout all of this is overwhelming.”
According to a report by LCEDC, the areas of Lake County who were awarded grants were: Lakeport (22), Clearlake (11), Kelseyville (18), Middletown (9), Upper Lake (5), Cobb (2), Clearlake Oaks (4), Hidden Valley Lake (2). The industries helped were lodging, restaurant/food service, retail, salon, auto/boat service, winery, agriculture, construction, gym, technology, brewery/bar, childcare and healthcare.
Melissa Fulton, CEO of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, said, “Every time we get information regarding grants we post it on our website (https://www.lakecochamber.com), on our E-news. We have a large email list, which includes every business association plus the Clearlake Chamber of Commerce, to which we share the information so they can forward the it to their members.”
Bernie Butcher of the Tallman Hotel also received a grant ($20,000) on Nov. 9, 2020, which we spent on our personnel. “We were closed for three months in the Spring. The grant helped us retain our staff and expand our services. We thank Nicole Flora at Lake County EDC and the Board of Supervisors for approving it.”
District 2 Supervisor Bruno Sabatier said, “From rent to payroll and more, even businesses not experiencing restrictions or closures are dealing with higher costs and lower revenue all due to COVID-19 and the changes in consumer behavior. The county grant program using CARES Act funding has helped provide a bit of respite to many of our businesses struggling to make it work during these tough times.”
Nicole Flora of LCEDC says there is no more money available for the county grant program using CARES Act. However to learn/apply for California Small Business COVID-Relief Grant Program, Round 2, which is now open and closes Feb. 8, 2021, business owners can visit https://careliefgrant.com
