COVID-19

The Economic Development Department is working to provide businesses with up-to-date information.

We are here to connect you with the local, state and federal resources.

The County of San Bernardino continues to monitor COVID-19 conditions and recognizes that the increase in new cases nationwide and the declaration of a local public health emergency may have impacted you and your business. We want to provide you with resources and information to help you navigate this pandemic and do all we can to serve you.

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MICROBUSINESS COVID-19 RELIEF GRANT

The San Bernardino County Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant is designed to assist businesses that have experienced economic barriers due to the effects of the global pandemic. The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approved $2,500 to be disbursed to qualified businesses. Applications will be open soon.

San Bernardino County is proud to provide this grant to our business community.

To apply and learn more Click Here.

CALIFORNIA SMALL BUSINESSES SUPPORT PROGRAMS

• California Small Business Covid-19 Relief Grant Program
  • The California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program is now closed. On
    May 13th, Governor Newsom announced a plan to expand the program to a
    total of $4 Billion. Sign up for Program and CalOSBA updates here.
• Increase Funding for the CA Rebuilding Fund by $12.5 Million
  • Program consists of $25 million to help impacted small businesses rebuild from the economic crisis and keep local economies strong.
  • The Governor has increased funding by $12.5 million which will help the third party administrator of the fund raise $125 million to make more low-interest loans to small businesses with less access to loans from traditional banking institutions.
  • For more information, please Click Here
  • All interested small business owners can apply for a loan at www.CALoanFund.org
• Main Street Hiring Tax Credit
  • The Main Street Small Business Tax Credit reservation process is now closed. You can find more information on the Main Street Small Business Tax Credit Special Instructions for Sales and Use Tax Filers page.
    
    

A full list of existing state supports for businesses can be found here.

Thank you for your interest and partnership. The application process for the COVID Compliant Business Partnership Program is now closed and we are no longer taking applications. If you have any questions, please contact us at 909-387-4460 or [email protected].

THE COVID-COMPLIANT BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The County of San Bernardino is committed to rebuilding and sustaining a high quality of life for its residents and businesses.

To support our local small businesses and ensure ongoing compliance with State and County Health orders and direction, San Bernardino County has implemented the COVID Compliant Business Partnership Program.

Program Purpose

This program was instrumental in supporting our local small businesses by reimbursing and/or offsetting costs and impacts directly related to complying with COVID-19 related business protocols and providing support to all eligible County businesses who applied for the program.

Prior to receiving funding, San Bernardino County small businesses were required to demonstrate compliance with State/County public health orders, and incorporate safety and social distancing practices and measures in their business operations.

A total of $30,000,000 was available for eligible businesses.

Please visit https://sbcovid19.com/covid-compliant-business-partnership-program/ for more information.

San Bernardino County is home to many restaurants and various dining experiences. In an effort to support our local economy, the Economic Development team has created an interactive map to showcase various local restaurants.

Eat Local WebMap!

The Economic Development team has made every effort to ensure that as many restaurants have been represented as possible. If your establishment has not been included please fill out the survey below:

Eat Local Survey

Please see the links below to stay updated on all new information.

San Bernardino County Department of Public Health (DPH)

Please continue to check these resources and current State guidance as they continue to evolve:

• COVID-19 Statewide industry guidance for businesses permitted to open: https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/
• San Bernardino County COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) can be found here: http://sbcovid19.com/faq/
• All official public health information can be found at the California Department of Public Health: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/
• The latest news on business assistance can be found on GO-Biz's website: https://business.ca.gov/coronavirus-2019/
• Employers and employees can find resources here: https://www.labor.ca.gov/coronavirus2019/

Financial and Technical Assistance Business Resources:

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

• Paycheck Protection Program: Designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks, and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.
• Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance: In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. This advance will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Funds will be made available following a successful application. This loan advance will not have to be repaid.
• SBA Express Bridge Loans: This loan enables small businesses who currently have relationships with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly.
• SBA Debt Relief: The SBA is providing a financial reprieve to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Treasury Loan Application Form: This application form is for loans from the U.S. Department of Treasury to eligible businesses that are critical to maintaining National Security.
  • A business-critical to maintaining national security is one that, unless otherwise approved as set forth below, is at the time of the business’s application:
    • (1) performing under a “DX”-priority rated contract or order under the Defense Priorities and Allocations System regulations (15 CFR part 700); or
    • (2) operating under a valid top-secret facility security clearance under the National Industrial Security Program regulations (32 CFR part 2004).
      • Applicants that do not satisfy either of these two criteria may be considered for loans if, based on a recommendation and certification by the Secretary of Defense or the Director of National Intelligence that the applicant business is critical to maintaining national security, the Secretary of the Treasury determines that the applicant business is critical to maintaining national security. Businesses that do not meet these criteria may nonetheless be eligible for assistance under other CARES Act programs.

• The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is announcing relief provisions for exporters and financial institutions located throughout the United States that may have been affected by COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

• GO-Biz main COVID-19 resource webpage with links to the IBank, Small Business Advocate, State Treasurer, Labor and Workforce Agency, Franchise Tax Board, and Department of Tax and Fee Management.

• The California Office of the Small Business Advocate is available to help businesses identify resources and obtain answers to critical questions (to the extent known).

• At California's Small Business Finance Center, small businesses can access a range of financial products, including loan guarantees and direct loans.

• IBank: $50 million to the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank for loan guarantees to small businesses to help eliminate barriers to capital for individuals who do not qualify for federal funds, including low wealth and undocumented immigrant communities.
• California Treasurers Office: California Capital Access Program (CalCAP)
  • The California Capital Access Program for Small Business encourages banks and other financial institutions to make loans to small businesses that have difficulty obtaining financing. If you own a small business and need a loan for start-up, expansion or working capital, you may receive more favorable loan terms from a lender if your loan is enrolled in the CalCAP Loan Loss Reserve Program. This program helps communities by providing financing to businesses that create jobs and improve the economy. CalCAP is a loan loss reserve program that may provide up to 100% coverage on losses as a result of certain loan defaults. With CalCAP portfolio support, a lender may be more comfortable underwriting small business loans.

• The California Film Commission: Film & Tax Credit Program 3.0
  • The California Film Commission will allocate $330 million per year from July 2020 through June 2025 as part of an extended Program 3.0 Film and TV Tax Credit Program.

Labor and Workforce Resources:

• California Employment Development Department (EDD) Resources:
  • Work Sharing Program
  • EDD Employee Resource Information
    
  • EDD Employer Resource Information
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
  • As part of the federal CARES Act, the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program helps unemployed Californians who are business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, have limited work history, and others not usually eligible for regular state UI benefits who are out of business or services are significantly reduced as a direct result of the pandemic.
    
• California Labor and Workforce Development Agency's primary website for COVID-19, including information on support services for workers and interim guidelines for protecting workers.
  • Summary chart with links to benefits available to workers
• Launch of OnwardCA: New platform connecting displaced California workers with more than 70,000 job opportunities in critical industries. Lead by Bitwise Industries and Kapor Center in partnership with LinkedIn, Salesforce, Mastercard.
• Treasury, IRS and Labor announce plan to implement Coronavirus-related paid leave for workers and tax credits for small and midsize businesses to swiftly recover the cost of providing Coronavirus-related leave.
• Cal/OSHA Guidance on Requirements to Protect Workers from Coronavirus:
  • Workplace safety and health regulations in California require employers to protect workers exposed to airborne infectious diseases such as the coronavirus. Cal/OSHA has posted guidance to help employers comply with these safety requirements and to provide workers information on how to protect themselves.

Business and Resident Tax Resources:

• Franchise Tax Board COVID-19 updates.
• Visit the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration website to apply for special assistance, including filing and payment extensions, and/or relief from interest and penalties.
• Employers experiencing a hardship may request up to a 60-day extension from the Employment Development Department to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest. Toll-free from the U.S. or Canada: 1-888-745-3886.
• Visit the San Bernardino County Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector website for property tax information.

Utility Partner Resources:

• SCE will help customers with their bills by suspending service disconnections for nonpayment and waiving late fees for business and residential customers impacted by the COVID-19 emergency.
• Southern California Gas is committed to helping customers experiencing hardships, including from the Coronavirus. If in need of assistance, SoCal Gas encourage’s customers to call them at 1800-427-2200. If you're experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19, SoCal Gas is supporting our residential and small business customers.
• Southwest Gas is committed to providing safe and reliable service to our customers. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Southwest Gas are immediately starting a temporary moratorium on natural gas disconnections for nonpayment that is in effect until further notice. They understand these are trying times for many of our customers and want to ensure that they focus on the well-being of their families without having to worry about the disruption of service. Southwest Gas will also offer flexible payment options for customers experiencing financial hardships due to this issue. Customers can manage their accounts and payment options through MyAccount on swgas.com or via the Southwest Gas mobile app.
• AT&T
  • AT&T Low-cost Internet Service with 2 Free Months and No Overages during COVID-19 Crisis.
• CPUC COVID-19 Resource Website
  • CPUC COVID-19 resource website with updates for utilities, water, and other Internet Providers throughout the State.
  • CPUC site will be updated regularly as they get information.

Non-profit Funding Resources:

• IE Community Foundation
  • Has created and coordinated platform for updates on resources, needs, and opportunities connected to the COVID-19 response, including immediate and longer-term impacts connected to community health, economic vitality, belonging, and equity for non-profits in the Inland Empire.
• James Beard Foundation
  • Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund
    • the Foundation is launching a fund that will be gathering support from corporate, foundation, and individual donors to provide micro-grants to independent food and beverage businesses in need. *Inquiring about criteria in the application process for the JBF Relief Fund.
• Restaurant Opportunities Centers United
  • Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund
    • National, state, and city resources available to restaurant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Sempra Energy Foundation
  • COVID-19 Nonprofit Hardship Fund

Other Resources:

• Relief Link - County of San Bernardino COVID-19 Medical Supply
  • Please consider supporting trusted organizations that are providing relief supplies and services to communities in need.
• State of California COVID-19 Medical Supply
  • How to donate critical medical supplies to the front lines of California’s fight against COVID-19. The website will allow individuals and companies to give, sell, or offer to manufacture 13 of the most essential medical supplies, including ventilators, N95 respirators, and testing materials.
• Fannie Mae
  • Assistance Options for Homeowners Impacted by COVID-19.
• Freddie Mac
  • Enhanced Relief for Borrowers Impacted by COVID-19.

• Google Remote Work Assistance
  • Free tools and resources to keep employees, educators, and students connected and productive.