$5 Million From Small Business Relief Program Awards 511 Businesses
As part of the COVID-19 response, the City received $5 million dollars from the County through the federally approved CARES Act to administer a small business relief program.
The City was able to award 511 Irvine small businesses grants of up to $10,000 each. The program launched on June 3rd and is now closed. The response was tremendous with 2,000 applications received. Grants were awarded on a first-come first-served basis.
To qualify, businesses had to meet the funding criteria and provide a budget reflecting the proposed use of grant funds. In addition businesses were required to submit a post-expense report detailing how the funding was actually utilized.
Funding Criteria
- 25 or fewer employees
- Have an active Irvine business license at the minimum of one year
- Demonstrate a financial impact due to COVID-19
- Have reopened or are ready to reopen, meeting guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, the State, and the County
2020 Small Business Grant Recipients By Business Type
| Eating, Dining, Entertainment | 100 |
| Retail | 32 |
| Professional Services | 160 |
| Personal Services | 99 |
| Research & Development | 2 |
| Technology | 23 |
| Automotive | 9 |
| Wholesale and Trade | 46 |
| Communications and Events | 25 |
| Construction and Maintenance | 9 |
| Light Manufacturing | 6 |
| TOTAL | 511 |
Source: City of Irvine (8/2020)
Stage 2 – California Resiliency Roadmap
Orange County is currently in Stage Two of Governor Newsom’s California Resiliency Roadmap https://covid19.ca.gov/roadmap/“Retail, related logistics and manufacturing, office workplaces, limited personal services, outdoor museums, child care, and essential businesses can open with modifications.”
Some businesses have adapted and are open with implementing health and safety protocols and close adherence to state and local guidelines. To help the businesses reopen, the City is approving expanded patio expansions for outdoor dining at many of the retail centers. At Irvine Company Retail Properties they have implemented COVID-19 safety protocols for all their retail centers.
Shop Irvine
Local businesses need our support now more than ever! Sales tax revenue has declined significantly because of the pandemic. When we shop locally, for every $100 in taxable sales in Irvine, one dollar goes directly to the City. If we follow the guidelines from the government (masks, social distancing, and health protocols) we can help the local economy return to a new normal.
