On August 18, 2020 the Redding City Council directed the City of Redding to support local businesses with $750,000 in CARES Act Funding. On Friday, August 28th, the CARES Act Business Relief Grant Program will launch, which will provide $750,000 in funding to local businesses struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent requirements to implement social distancing measures.
Selected businesses will receive up to $10,000 in funding to assist with their business needs and to help ensure that the local economy can continue to move forward. As a grant-based program, businesses who receive CARES Act funding are not required to repay the funds.
“The viability of our community is centered on the sustainability of our business community. We need each other. With this grant program we are trying to address the needs of our most vulnerable businesses in an immediate and meaningful way,” says Allyn Clark, Director of Finance and City Treasurer with The City of Redding.
To qualify, a business needs to legally operate in the City of Redding, have a valid City of Redding business license and must demonstrate that their business has been negatively impacted by COVID-19.
Applications will be considered based on need and eligibility, with some preference given to those who complete the process early. A committee comprised of a broad array of community stakeholders and City officials committed to the well-being of all local businesses will ensure a fair and equitable review of the applications.
The application will be available beginning on Friday, August 28th at 5:00pm at cityofredding.org/CityCARES. The application can be filled out online or downloaded, printed and submitted to the Finance Department on the 3rd Floor at Redding City Hall. Interested parties are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as the funding is expected to be dispersed quickly.
In addition to providing CARES Act funding, the City of Redding sees this moment as an opportunity to build relationships with businesses that are struggling and is committed to supporting these businesses in any way possible during this challenging time.
“We intend to develop closer relationships with our grantees to serve their needs to the best of our ability from our well-established tool box of resources,” says Clark. “We are reaching out to hear their stories and assist them with their challenges.
The City of Redding looks forward to dispersing funds quickly to ensure that the local economy can continue to recover from the effects of COVID-19.
