Small Businesses In Laguna Niguel Can Claim A $2,500 Grant

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA — Orange County reopened applications Monday for its microbusiness grants program for local companies impacted by the economic downturn from COVID-19.

Business owners can apply for a $2,500 grant, which is funded by the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program, county officials said. Grants will be issued to businesses until funding is exhausted.

Businesses have to meet the following criteria to be eligible:

• Physically located and operating in Orange County
• Began operating before Dec. 31, 2019
• Is currently open or has a clear plan to reopen
• Able to show it was significantly impacted by COVID-19
• Had less than $50,000 in revenue for the 2019 tax year
• Had less than five full-time employees during the 2019 and 2020 tax years
• Currently has less than five full-time employees
• Use all the grant money by Sept. 30, 2022, and have receipts to show what was purchased

Businesses that have already applied for and received grant money from the program are asked to not apply.

County officials said they will give priority to businesses that are sidewalk vendors, suffered losses because of the pandemic or whose owners are a member of a "group that has faced historic barriers in accessing capital and is defined as business majority-owned and operated on a daily basis by women."

Women, veterans, minorities, undocumented individuals and people with English as a second language who own businesses are encouraged to apply, officials said.

For more information about the grants, and a full list of criteria and exclusions, visit the county's website.