(Stockton, CA) - Yesterday, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors approved additional funding for the Family COVID Assistance Grant and the Small Business Assistance Grant programs for residents and businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, the County has distributed approximately $25.6 million to small businesses and families experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic.

Since June 1, 2020, the County has completed three rounds of funding to small businesses totaling over $20 million allocated to 1,438 local establishments. The first two rounds were funded with CARES Act dollars and the third was funded with General Fund savings that were partially realized as a result of CARES Act funding.

Additionally in December 2020, the County launched the Family COVID Assistance Grant (FCAG) program that provides assistance to low-income individuals and families for payment of rent, mortgage, and utilities costs. To date, the FCAG program has distributed more than $5.0 million to 1,200 residents.

On Tuesday, the Board approved $33.7 million in additional funding through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars to accomplish three objectives:

• An additional appropriation of $1.7 million to fully fund Round 1 of the FCAG program and to cover costs incurred by the County Human Services Agency (HSA) for the administration of the program;
• An increase in appropriations of $12 million to fund Round 2 of the FCAG program with a target launch date of September 1st; and
• An increase in appropriations of $20 million to fund Round 4 of the Small Business Assistance Grant program also with a launch date of September 1st .

The County will partner with subcontractors to streamline the application, review, approval, and payment distribution process. The Employment and Economic Development Department (EEDD) has hired and is training six full-time equivalent temporary staff to review and work with applicants, while EEDD leadership will provide final small business grant approval. Similarly, the County will team up with El Concilio to conduct the review process for the FCAG program with HSA leadership providing final grant approval.

Both the small business and FCAG programs will employ an online application portal that will allow the public to more easily apply and provide for a streamlined review and payment distribution process. The maximum grant limit for the Family COVID Assistance Grant – Round 2 will be increased from $5,000 to $10,000. The maximum grant limit for the Small Business Assistance Grant – Round 4 will be increased from $25,000 to $100,000.

“The Small Business and Family Assistance programs were carefully designed to distribute millions of dollars as a lifeline for local businesses and residents struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic and beyond,” said Supervisor Tom Patti, Chairman of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors. “For many hardworking individuals, families, and businesses in San Joaquin County, this money provides a much-needed opportunity to get back on track and rebuild lives and livelihoods. Now we just need to ensure that those who truly qualify for these programs are able to receive the funding. If you're an eligible resident or business owner who has been financially struggling due to the pandemic, please apply.”

Businesses and residents interested in applying for a grant can visit: www.sjgov.org/covid19/grants/.

###