
California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program
CALIFORNIA SMALL BUSINESS COVID-19 RELIEF GRANT – CLOSES JAN 13 11:59pm
The California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant will OPEN DECEMBER 30. A total of $475 million will be available in two rounds. Round one will distribute $237 million and opens December 30 at 6am and closes January 8 at 11:59pm
Sierra Business Council’s Small Business Development Center is working with our statewide SBDC network to provide information and technical assistance to applicants. A daily webinar with updates to the program including eligibility requirements, application process, required documents and who to contact for assistance will be conducted daily at 11am starting December 24. Registration information for these webinars are available at https://asksbdc.com/
Lendistry will act as the intermediary to administer and distribute the funds. Due Jan 15th 11:59pm
link https://careliefgrant.
Brief highlights of the program:
· Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $25,000 based on annual revenue.
· Minimum annual revenue $1,000
· Maximum revenue $2.5 million
· Eligible entities include small businesses and nonprofits (501c3 and c6) with yearly gross revenue of $2.5 million or less
· In operation since at least June 1, 2019
· Businesses must be currently operating or have a plan to reopen in the State of California
· Must have a physical location in the State of CA.
· Business must have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
· Business must be able to provide most recent tax return (2018 or 2019), evidence of business formation/organization such as articles of incorporation, fictitious business name registration or business license.
· Applicants with multiple businesses are only eligible for one grant.
· Awards are NOT first come first serve
· Awards will be selected based on a weighted lottery with priority given to most impacted communities, industry sectors and disadvantaged businesses.
California and Federal Relief Funds
- California and the federal government are providing broad assistance to small businesses and employers impacted by COVID-19.
The CARES Act (Provides Assistance to Small Businesses)
- The Paycheck Protection Program is providing small businesses with the resources they need to maintain their payroll, hire back employees who may have been laid off, and cover applicable overhead.
Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources (Small Business Administration)
- SBA is now accepting new applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Visit their website to learn more about the relief options available for your business

Nevada County Artists Relief Fund
As 2020 draws to a close Nevada County Arts Council is inviting professional artists whose livelihoods have been impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis, to apply for relief funding.
Artists who wish to apply for micro-grants can do so by visiting Nevada County Arts Council’s Artist Relief Fund page at https://www.nevadacountyarts.org/artist-relief-fund where guidelines and eligibility criteria are outlined, and where a link to apply can be found. The deadline to apply is Friday, January 15, and the fund will support up to thirty micro-grants for its first round.
In addition to its Artist Relief Fund, Nevada County Arts Council is simultaneously running two other initiatives, both connected with its work in support of Nevada County’s two California Cultural Districts during the pandemic. Shopping with Artists is a local, online shopping experience designed for a holiday season like none other, at the same time as supporting local professional artists. Artists in Storefronts is a revitalization project bringing to life six otherwise vacant storefronts with the work of eleven artists.
Nevada County Exits Stay Home Order into Purple Tier 1`/12/21
See: https://www.mynevadacounty.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3505
The State has lifted the Regional Stay Home Order for the Greater Sacramento Region, which includes Nevada County. Due to Nevada County’s current daily average of COVID-19 cases and positivity rate, Nevada County will be exiting the Stay Home Order into the Widespread Purple Tier.
Although this is welcome news that our ICU capacity is projected to be above 15%, Nevada County remains well into the Widespread Purple Tier with significant business modifications. Nevada County Public Health continues to thank the community for wearing a mask, being mindful of social distancing and refraining from social gatherings. Together, we can stop the surge to save lives and work towards lowering our daily COVID-19 cases and positivity rate which may allow us to move into the less restrictive Red Tier.
Moving into the Widespread Purple Tier
As we move back into the Widespread Purple Tier, some businesses will be able to reopen with modifications. Most notably, these are:
- Hair Salons/Barbershops/Personal Care: Open with modifications in the Purple Tier
- Hotels and Lodging: Open with modifications in the Purple Tier
- Movie Theaters: Outdoor only with modifications in Purple Tier
- Wineries: Outdoor only with modifications in the Purple Tier
- Restaurants: Outdoor dining with modifications allowed in Purple Tier
Find a summary of the differences between the State’s “Blueprint for a Safer Economy” tier system on California Department of Public Health’s website.
City of Grass Valley
Covid Business Resources HERE
and HERE
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Sierra Business Council for free counseling HERE


Sierra Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Sierra SBDCServing Modoc, Lassen, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, Sierra and Plumas County. Free classes HERE
Norcal SBDC Finance Center Presents: Disaster Relief Loan Updates & CASEFORCE, starting a Facebook page for your business, and more.
Energy Action Plan Survey HERE

The Resilience Fund
Info HERE
The Resilience Fund was created for the community, by the community to provide rapid assistance to local small businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In partnership with Sierra Business Council and local investors, we can help you navigate all of the available resources to help your business survive this unexpected crisis.
Business requesting assistance must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be for-profit, independently owned local businesses
- Have no more than 25 full-time equivalent employees
- Have a physical establishment within the Truckee Tahoe Airport District geography. Home-based businesses will be considered, however priority given to retail, restaurant and service businesses with a storefront.
- Have been in operation with proven revenues as of March 1, 2020
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Alliance for Workforce Development
Read info HERE
Virtual Job Fair for Employers and Employees, Jan 20th, 2021 10am-1pm
January 20, 2021 | 10:00AM – 1:00PM
Please join us for our first Virtual Job Fair! Registration for this event is free.
Employers: Click here for details
EMPLOYER REGISTRATION LINK: https://portal.premiervirtual.com/event/register-company/3450-year-career
Job Seekers: Click here for details
JOB SEEKER REGISTRATION LINK: https://portal.premiervirtual.com/event/register-jobseeker/3450-year-career-afwd-virtual-fair
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Nevada County
Purple Tier information
If you missed 12/4/20 County Community Information webinar here’s the link: HERE
Covid Business Alliance Meeting Recording here
Add your business/non-profit to the “Spread Thanks, not COVID” listing via YubaNet
Click HERE
November 19, 2020 – Nevada County businesses and non-profits are invited to fill out [a] short form and be added to the listing of local businesses keeping their staff and the community safe this holiday season [click on link above].
Give the community an opportunity to shop safely and support our local economy! We will promote the listing, doing our part to keep the community safe and dollars local.
Nevada County Relief Fund
NEVADA COUNTY RELIEF FUND – CLOSED JAN 6
Nevada County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an allocation of $100,000 to support small, locally-owned businesses most impacted by the State’s orders to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Apply today! Applications close Jan 6th, and awards will be announced by Jan 15th.Visit Nevada County Relief Fund at https://www.nevcorelief.org/
to donate, to apply, for information
- This grant is NOT first-come, first-served, so please take your time.
- No applications will be accepted after the deadline of 6:00 PM PT on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. There will be no exceptions, so please plan accordingly.
List of Nevada County Business Information and Resources HERE
Please make sure to read eligibility requirement and read the entire APPLY page all the way to the bottom.
No Cost PPE for Small BusinessesApply HERE while supplies last The County of Nevada Office of Emergency Services (OES) is offering local small business owners, with 25 employees or less, masks and hand sanitizer at no cost. This personal protective equipment (PPE) has been made available to California small businesses through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) in collaboration with the Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA). PPE will be available for pick up in Western Nevada County at two locations: the Nevada County Contractors Association and the Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce. In Truckee, small businesses may pick up PPE from the Truckee Chamber of Commerce. To request PPE, small business owners must complete an online application in advance to apply, click one of the application buttons above. After completing the online PPE request form, small businesses may print their confirmation email, or display their confirmation email when picking up PPE. Small businesses may send a family member, volunteer, or employee as a proxy to pick up the protective equipment. Please complete one form per business only. Hand sanitizer and surgical masks will be available while supplies last. |
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New parking for Downtown on Mill and Main Streets
2 new ADA parking spots and 10 more new spots available for customers at Church St lot.
In an effort to make pick-up easier for our restaurants and retailers the City posted signs to allow for some parking places on Mill and Main Streets to be either 15 minutes or 30 minutes long. We hope that this will make it easier for the Downtown Customers to be able to pick up their food or merchandise from the stores that are offering curbside pick up for merchandise or to go food.
Also if you or any of your employees are working in your business the City and GVDA would ask that you don’t park your cars on Mill or Main. Please leave these space open for the convenience of the Downtown customers. Please utilize the City lots to park in and leave the street parking for those that are picking up.
If you have any questions feel free to call me at the office, 530-272-8315. If you have any questions for the City please feel free to call Mayor, Lisa Swarthout 530-274-4315.
Thank you all for your cooperation.
Main Street Forward

Now more than ever, Main Street leaders have a crucial role to play in supporting small businesses, maintaining quality of life, and ultimately restoring the vitality of commercial districts. We are here to support you.
Our new COVID-19 recovery-oriented resource center, Main Street Forward, offers a wide range of free resources, including recovery planning tools, guidance as it relates to Four Point activities, research, advocacy efforts, and best practices and examples from around the Network.
Together we will move Main Street Forward.
Business Resilience Tool Kit

While this kit was created for phase 2 reopening, there are many resources still useful for business owners.
Download the Business Resilience Tool Kit
Signs for Businesses

Download the Open Sign Grass Valley
Nevada County Relief Fund

Apply or donate here: https://www.nevcorelief.org/apply/
Covid Community Alliance
Who is open and practicing best practices? Go to Covid Community Alliance
Shop local, shop safely, be kind and tolerant
Coronavirus Updates
All members of the community are encouraged to consider how personal behavior can help move Nevada County to the next tier ranking. Individual action will lead to collective mitigation that will shift the county’s tier status and our collective behavior this weekend matters. Wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance, washing your hands and getting tested can help move Nevada County from Tier 2 to Tier 3 and support decreased modifications to business operations.
For more information visit: https://www.mynevadacounty.com/2924/Coronavirus
Face Coverings

Find shareable flyers on Nevada County website on:
Masks Make a Difference Fact Sheet in English (Nevada County Public Health)
Masks Make a Difference Fact Sheet in Spanish (Nevada County Public Health)
Contact the County to ask questions at COVID19Recovery@co.nevada.ca.us
Business Resources
Join the Collaborative Resources for Nevada County Small Businesses
Resources, support, and information for small businesses in Nevada County. Creating community to work together to overcome the unique challenges we face in this region.
Sierra Small Business Development Center Norther California Network
https://www.sierrasbdc.com/about-us/news/covid-19-business-resources
Call 211 on your phone for information about anything 24 hours a day or visit their website
Please use this resource link, Virtual Shop & Support Local – Nevada County, CA , or who is doing online shops, deliveries, call in orders, offers. This will be a real time link to what is happening in this fluid time.
We encourage everyone to support our local businesses as much as possible. Our local business community has been so faithful in supporting so many worthy causes – we are partners in helping to get through this crisis. All of us.
The most important thing is to take care of yourself and those you love. As always, we are encouraged and inspired by the great spirit of our community. This fuels all of us to do our best. Thank you for making a difference.
With Gratitude,
Your Grass Valley Downtown Association Team
The Sierra SBDC offers free one-on-one consulting topics, including strategic planning, cash flow management, feasibility, social media, site selection, marketing, operations, human resources, and other specialty programs for small businesses and startups in the service area.
If you are a small business or local entrepreneur in need of assistance, please reach out to us today by calling or emailing Jessica Carr, the Sierra SBDC Associate Director, at 530.582.5022 or info@sierrasbdc.com.
SIERRA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (SBDC)
530.582.5022
info@sierrasbdc.com
A foundational program of Sierra Business Council’s work in Economic Empowerment, the Sierra SBDC provides free consulting and training to help new and existing businesses in Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, Sierra, Plumas, Modoc, and Lassen counties.
SIERRA BUSINESS COUNCIL
Free Business Counseling
530.582.4800
info@sierrabusiness.org
Requirements & Guidance for Retail. Restaurant, Office, Manufacture Stage 2 Businesses
Assistance to small businesses and employers |
Visit https://covid19.ca.gov/business-and-employers/ California and the federal government are providing broad assistance to small businesses and employers impacted by COVID-19. This includes: Tax relief, including deferrals and credits Visit https://covid19.ca.gov/ State’s ongoing support throughout the pandemic can be found here |
Trusted information sources
for valid updates, resources: mynevadacounty.com, ca.gov , 211 to stay tuned.
Those resources include information about SBA Loans, and EDD Unemployment, testing etc. at mynevadacounty.com
News Sources https://yubanet.com/ and The Union
All Nevada County updates at https://www.mynevadacounty.com/
MyNevadaCounty has a list of resources for EDD, SBA loans, and an extensive list of resources and updates.
Nevada County FB site at https://www.facebook.com/NevadaCountyCA/
https://www.mynevadacounty.com/2924/Coronavirus
Subscribe to newsletters from the County at https://www.mynevadacounty.com/list.aspx
Stay up to date on the State Information at ca.gov
Updates from Governor Newsom’s office