The following agencies provide no cost consulting services for local businesses. If you need assistance completing grant applications or other business mentorship or advice, please see their websites.

• Economic Development Collaborative: Regional resources for business consulting, funding and strategic initiatives within the regional economy
• Santa Barbara Chapter – Service Core of Retired Executives (SCORE): Business mentorship, webinars, online resources
• Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV): Financial loan support to businesses experiencing economic hardship

Small business relief grant program

On February 17, 2021 Governor Newsom and the California State Legislature Leadership announced an Immediate Action Agreement to support additional funding for the CA Relief Grant program. Please stay tuned for further details pending final legislative action. 

Website for grant application:  CAReliefGrant.com

• Available to small business or small nonprofits operating in California
• Provides cash payments based on eligible business’s gross revenue
• The Second Round application period closed on February 8, 2021
• On February 17, 2021, the State reached agreement to add $2 billion more to this program, with a maximum grant size of $25,000 per business. The application date for the additional funding has not yet been announced.
• Businesses needing assistance with the application process should contact Economic Development Corporation for free business advisory assistance

State Tax Deductions for PPP and EIDL Loans

The February 17, 2021 agreement partially conforms California tax law to new federal tax treatment for loans provided through the Paycheck Protection Plan, allowing companies to deduct up to $150,000 in expenses covered by the PPP loan. All businesses that took out loans of $150,000 or less would be able to maximize their deduction for state purposes. Larger firms that took out higher loans would still be subject to the same ceiling of $150,000 in deductibility. More than 750,000 PPP loans were taken out by California small businesses. This tax treatment would also extend to the Economic Injury Disaster Loans as well.

State Fee Waivers for Most Impacted Licensees

The February 17 agreement provides for two years of fee relief for roughly 59,000 restaurants and bars licensed through the state’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control that can range annually from $455 to $1,235. The agreement also reflects fee relief for more than 600,000 barbering and cosmetology individuals and businesses licensed through the Department of Consumer Affairs.

Small Business Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program

• Available to small businesses with 1-750 employees
• Provides easier access to funds for small businesses 
• There is currently no expiration date for this benefit

IBank’s Small Business Loan Guarantee Program provides loans to underserved small businesses. Learn more about this program at the IBank website. 

Other help for small businesses

California has additional resources for small businesses impacted by COVID-19:

• Resources and services for small businesses collected by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development
• Tax relief and extensions from the Department of Tax and Fee Administration

Labor and workforce support for businesses

• Check the Employment Development Department’s resources for employers for information about workplace health and safety guidelines, reduced work hours, potential closure or layoffs, California WARN Act requirements, and tax assistance. 
• Visit the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency’s employer resources and assistance.
• Check the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing’s information about COVID-19 infection in the workplace.  
• For information about recording and reporting requirements for COVID-19 infection, check the frequently asked questions provided by the CA Department of Industrial Relations. 

How to manage COVID-19 in the workplace

As California reopens, every business will need to create a safer, low-risk environment. If you own or manage a business, follow:

• The employer playbook to help plan and prepare your business for reopening
• The industry-specific guidance that applies to your business to protect your workers and customers

As workplaces reopen, employees will need both childcare support and workplace flexibility. It’s also important that employees with COVID-19 know they should stay home. Your sick leave policies need to support that. See more information on:

• Government programs supporting COVID-19 sick leave and workers’ compensation
• Family friendly practices for employers (PDF)
• Support for working families (PDF)
• Find childcare

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans

• Available to first and second time loan applicants
• Provides loans to help fund payroll costs
• Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2021

The Paycheck Protection Program provides forgivable loans to help fund payroll costs, including benefits. PPP may also be used to pay for mortgage interest, rent, utilities, worker protection costs related to COVID-19, and uninsured property damage costs caused by looting or vandalism during 2020. 

Learn more about the PPP at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) website.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) 

• Available for businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners, and renters
• There is currently no expiration date for this benefit

The EIDL is available for businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters. For questions, you can contact SBA’s customer service line at 1-800-659-2955 / 1-800-877-8339 (TTY), or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Apply for disaster loan assistance.

H.R. 133 COVID-19 Relief Provisions Summary – December 2020

Small Business Provisions

• Provides $325 billion in small business funds.
  • $284.5 billion for first and second forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.
    • A small business can receive a second PPP loan if they have less than 300 employees and can demonstrate a revenue reduction of 25%.
    • Maximum loan amount reduced to $2 million.
  • $20 billion for new Economic Injury Disaster Loan Grants for businesses in low-income communities.
  • $15 billion in funding for live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions.
  • $3.5 billion for continued Small Business Administration debt relief payments.
  • $2 billion for enhancements to Small Business Administration lending.
• Businesses that received PPP loans would be able to take tax deductions for the expenses covered by forgiven loans.
• Expands PPP eligibility for 501 (C)(6) nonprofits, including local newspapers, radio, and television broadcasters, and destination marketing organizations.
• Provides $12 billion for Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions that provide credit and financial services to low-income and minority communities.

• Available for live venue operators, performing arts organizations, motion picture theater operators, cultural institutions and other eligible applicants
• Grant for specific expenses such as payroll, rent, utilities, and other costs.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is not yet accepting SVOG applications.  Please click here for detailed information.

• City of Santa Barbara
• City of Santa Maria
• City of Goleta
• City of Solvang
• City of Lompoc
• City of Buellton
• City of Guadalupe
• City of Carpinteria

• Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce
• Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce
• Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV): Financial loan support to businesses experiencing economic hardship
• Santa Barbara Foundation: Grant Programs
• Restaurant Fund Grant Program
• Economic Development Collaborative: Regional resources for business consulting, funding and strategic initiatives within the regional economy
• Santa Barbara Chapter – Service Core of Retired Executives (SCORE): Business mentorship, webinars, online resources
• United Way: For Employees – Financial Hardships, rental assistance
• Workforce Development Board: Workforce programs, training and employment services
• County Ordinance No. 5117 – Commercial Eviction Moratorium through January 31, 2021
• County Small Business and Community Partnership Enhancement Program (SBCPEP): Voluntary program to allow businesses or other organizations to expand into adjacent outdoor areas in the unincorporated areas of the County to accommodate required social distancing protocols and safe practices
• County RISE Ambassador Program – For questions related to business reopening call (805) 681-5508 or email RISEAmbassador@countyofsb.org

During an infectious disease outbreak, such as the current outbreak of COVID-19, small business owners must prepare for disruption in their business as well as prepare to protect their employees’ health and safety in the workplace.

• CA Labor and Workforce Development Agency: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Resources for Employers and Workers
• CA Employment Development Department: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
• Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development: Coronavirus 2019
• California Department of Tax and Fee Administration: COVID-19 State of Emergency
• Cal/OSHA Guidance on Requirements to Protect Workers from Coronavirus
• Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) – FAQs on laws enforced by the California Labor Commissioner’s Office
• CA Department of Fair Employment and Housing: COVID-19 Resources and Guidance
• CA Department of Industrial Relations: COVID-19 Resources and Workers’ Compensation
• U.S. Internal Revenue Service: Coronavirus Tax Relief
• U.S. Internal Revenue Service: COVID-19-Related Tax Credits for Required Paid Leave Provided by Small and Midsize Businesses FAQs
• U.S. Department of Labor: Paid Leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Please click here for the most recent Health Orders.

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has made health and safety guidance and signage available for businesses seeking to reopen. These PDFs can be downloaded and printed. Signage can be placed in your place of business to alert customers of your efforts to secure the environment while ensuring the health and safety of your staff.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS SIGNS & INFOGRAPHICS