Business Updates For March 9, 2021
County of Ventura Launches Second Small Business Assistance Grant Program

The County of Ventura has launched a second COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program for businesses and nonprofit organizations that did not receive a grant during the County’s first program in 2020. A $5,000 grant will be awarded to selected organizations that meet the eligibility requirements.

Important Dates
  • Pre-Registration window: March 24-March 30, 2021
  • During this period, businesses can log in, create their account and upload documents via the registration portal at www.VCBusinessGrants.org.
  • Businesses are strongly encouraged to gather their supporting documentation now and have it ready to upload when the pre-registration period opens.
  • Application window: March 31, 2021 from 8:00 a.m. to April 6 at 6:00 p.m.
  • 1st Grant Awards Issued: April 30, 2021 (for those that meet priority eligibility)
  • 2nd Grant Awards Issued: May 31, 2021 (all other eligible applicants)

Eligibility Criteria
  • Must be negatively impacted by COVID-19.
  • Did NOT receive a $5,000 award in the previous County of Ventura COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant program of 2020.
  • Have a physical address and operate in Ventura County.
  • Established business and opened prior to 2021.
  • Annual gross revenue between $25,000 and $2.5 million.
  • Currently operating or have a plan to re-open once the health orders allow.
  • Business or nonprofit organizations with multiple entities, franchises, locations, etc., may not submit multiple applications. The organization may submit a single application for the location with the highest annual gross revenue.
  • Business or nonprofit may submit only one application, regardless of the number of owners of the business.
  • Must be registered at www.VCReopens.com and have a history of compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols.
  • The nonprofit organization must be a 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6), or 501(c)(19). Churches and other faith-based institutions may apply.
  • The organization must attest that it is not an ineligible organization type and acknowledge that applicant information is subject to the Public Records Act.
  • Must have a business license with the appropriate jurisdiction within Ventura County (if applicable).
  • For the City of Ventura Business Tax Office, click HERE or call (805) 658-4715.

Required Documentation
  • Government-issued photo ID of the business owner or nonprofit authorized agent.
  • Tax returns and attachments filed in 2019 OR 2020. Nonprofits must submit a Form 990. If the business is exempt from filing any tax returns, a Profit and Loss statement will be required.
  • Proof of physical address within Ventura County (Select ONE from list of acceptable documents: Business License, Fictitious Name Statement, Certificate of Organization, Articles of Incorporation, Utility Bill in the name of business dated in 2020).
  • IRS W-9 form signed and dated.
  • Non-profit organizations - IRS Non-Profit Determination Letter

COVID Business Assistance Grant Webinars
Click on a date below to register:

Additional Grant Information
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Click HERE.
  • Call Center Assistance: (888) 405-1004 (Call Center hours will be posted prior to the Pre-registration and Application periods).
  • For additional information on priority factors, ineligible organizations, eligible/ineligible use of funds, and document definitions, please visit the grant website at www.VCBusinessGrants.org.
  • To sign up for County updates, click HERE.
Tuesday, March 9, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Next Steps for Commercial Tenants & Landlords
The Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) is hosting a panel discussion with EDC SBDC Financial and Legal Advisors Gonzalo Fernandez, Anthony Elliott, Bill Bartels and Erica Bristol, to provide understanding and guidance around next steps on commercial eviction moratoriums and business finances. This no-cost webinar will work through real life scenarios and questions many commercial tenants are facing today. Note: This panel discussion will be focused on commercial tenants.

Tuesday, March 9, 10:30 a.m.
QUICKBOOKS® Online and Best Accounting Practices for Small Businesses
Join SCORE for this live, interactive webinar session is designed to help you understand the features, functions and benefits of QuickBooks Online for small business owners as well as assist you in implementing accounting best practices to manage your business finances including COVID-19 Funds and Forgiveness. EDC SBDC Financial Advisor Juliana Ramirez from JR Bookkeeping will live answer your questions related to the subject matter including live demonstrations.

March 11, 18, & 25, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs through Public Procurement
The federal government’s goal is to award at least five percent of all federal contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses each year. Historically, Women-Owned businesses have been largely excluded from this sizable market due to lack of information. Join the SBA and our Los Angeles Women Business Centers (PACE, API, WEV, and NEW) in celebration of Women’s History Month and learn about WBC resources and other SBA programs that are available to support Women Entrepreneurs.
  • March 11 - System Award Management (SAM) Registration for Federal Grant
  • March 18 - Overview of the 8a Program
  • March 25 - SBA Loan Guarantee Program

March 11 & 18, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Ley de Ayuda Económica
La Oficina del Distrito de Los Ángeles de la SBA tendrá representantes que compartirán información sobre las nuevas medidas de alivio de COVID para las pequeñas empresas. El tema central de la discusión girará en torno a la primera y segunda ronda del Programa de Protección de Pago (PPP, por sus siglas en inglés). Además, habrá un segmento sobre medidas auxiliares para pequeñas empresas actuales con préstamos de la SBA. Los representantes de la SBA ofrecerán a los participantes del seminario virtual recursos para asegurarse de que reciban la ayuda que necesitan durante esta pandemia.
  • March 11 - Register HERE
  • March 18 - Register HERE

March 12 & 19, 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Economic Aid For Pandemic Relief
This event will include an overview of SBA programs and services designed to help our small business community recover, including Economic Aid available through the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Small businesses will receive information pertaining to PPP First and Second Draw, the PPP application process, PPP Loan Forgiveness process, and Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
  • March 12 - Register HERE
  • March 19 - Register HERE

Tuesday, March 16, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
How to Influence, Persuade and Sell Anyone
Join SCORE for this free webinar. In less than an hour you will learn how to convince and sell almost anyone. Suddenly, you'll have an incredible power to persuade all the people in your life. From friends and family members to prospects and clients, you will suddenly be able to enjoy more stress-free, predictable and FUN ways to get people on your side and buying from you... whether it be face-to-face, from your website, from your ads and emails and more!

Tuesday, March 23, 10:30 a.m.
Fundamentals of Starting a New Business
Have you ever dreamed of owning your own business but don't know where to start? Do you have the passion and work ethic but need education and guidance? Being a small business owner is exciting, but understanding the lifestyle will clarify if it is right for you. Join SCORE in this informative webinar and learn what it takes to be successful.

Monday, March 29, 10:30 a.m.
Pathways to Entrepreneurship
Have you ever wondered if business ownership was right for you but didn't know how to start? Join SCORE for this webinar that will cover the different ways to go into business (i.e. Start up, Consulting, Buy existing business, Franchising). This presentation that will include the pros/cons of each along with what characteristics make a good entrepreneur.

Tuesday, March 30, 10:30 a.m.
Financial Projections Made Easy
Join SCORE for this informative webinar on how to forecast with or without historical data, what you can do inside your company to better manage cash flow and how to operate with suppliers, lenders and customers to improve cash flow. A must for any business plan!

Additional Webinars
  • Click HERE for additional live and recorded SCORE webinars
  • Click HERE for additional live and recorded EDC webinars
  • Click HERE for additional live and recorded WEV webinars
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