Title
a. Authorize the spending of the unexpended allocation of FY 2020-21 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated to the Monterey County Workforce Development Board in the amount of $154,658.35 in FY 2021-22 for the Monterey County Small Business Relief Program
b. Receive an update on the 2022 Microbusiness COVID Relief Grant Program grant from CalOSBA
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the spending of the unexpended allocation of FY 2020-21 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated to the Monterey County Workforce Development Board in the amount of $154,658.35 in FY 2021-22 for the Monterey County Small Business Relief Program
b. Receive an update on the 2022 Microbusiness COVID Relief Grant Program grant from CalOSBA
SUMMARY:
On February 9, 2021, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Monterey approved the appropriation of $900,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for implementation of a third round of the Monterey County CARES Small Business Relief Program (SBRP), administered by the Monterey County Workforce Development Board (MCWDB). The SBRP had been launched in October 2020 with the aim of preventing the permanent closure of businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic that had spurred a public health crisis and subsequent economic crisis. Through the SBRP, small businesses were provided financial assistance in the form of grants of up to $10,000, assistance that was critical to the ability of many businesses to remain open, keep workers employed, and continue providing products and services through the pandemic. In Round 3, made possible with the $900,000 allocation of ARPA funds, $703,499.14 was awarded to 101 small businesses. Administrative expenditures (staff salaries/benefits, outreach and marketing, and supplies) totaled $41,843.51 (only 4.6% of the allocation). After Round 3, $154,658.35 remained unspent, in part due to the number of eligible businesses that were funded and i...
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