City of Salinas Marketing and Technology Grant Program
Alisal Plan Area
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Haga clic en Sitios web y copie y pegue este enlace URL: https://ndc.smapply.io/prog/salinas_marketing_technology_grant_program/
PROGRAM PURPOSE
The objective of the marketing and technology grant program is to provide financial assistance for business owners seeking to improve their technology skills or to promote their business in digital platforms. The grant program is intended to address the technological barriers and gaps within the small business community. These grants will help business owners incorporate new digital tools into their businesses to streamline their online operations and marketing strategies.
APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Small business owners located within the Alisal Plan Area as shown in map below (home-based businesses or storefront) are eligible to apply. Business license and all other City accounts must be current, the business must not have current code violations. Each individual business owner may only apply once even if he or she owns more than one business, however, they are eligible to apply in more than one grant category as long as appropriate training for each grant category is completed after October 24th, 2022. Example: Business owner operates 3 different business entities and must choose only one to apply for but may apply for both the Social Media Marketing & Financial Literacy grant categories for the chosen business.
For purposes of this grant, please search your business address HERE to confirm that it is located within the Alisal Plan Area geographic boundaries as shown on the first map in the blue shaded area layer labeled Alisal Plan Area.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
The City of Salinas Economic Development Division’s decision to accept an application will be based on available funds. All approved application will meet the criteria presented in this document.
- Have a current city of Salinas Business License and must have been in business for at least 6 months
- To confirm status or apply, please visit: https://www.cityofsalinas.org/our-city-services/finance/business-licenses
- Have current business registration documentation (as applicable):
- Articles of Incorporation/Organization & Statement of Information filed with CA Sectretary of State
- To confirm status or apply, please visit: https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/
- Fictitious Business Name statement filed with the County of Monterey
- To confirm status or apply, please visit: https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/assessor/clerk/fictitious-business-statements
- Articles of Incorporation/Organization & Statement of Information filed with CA Sectretary of State
- Not have any pending City of Salinas code enforcement violations
- Be located in the Alisal Plan Area (Home-Based Business or Store Front)
- Participate in and complete training though the city, local educational institutions, or small business services providers
- Document and submit expenses to the City for approval
- Mobile street vendors are not eligible
ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
All grant-funded expenses are to be business related uses only. The City of Salinas Economic Development Division reserves the right to determine the eligibility of all items. If you would like to purchase an item that is not listed below, please contact bizsupport@ci.salinas.ca.us prior to purchasing to verify eligibility. Eligible items include, but may not be limited to:
Social Media Marketing Assistance
- Radio/TV Advertising
- Online Webpage Development
- Social Media Development
- Internet expenses for Business location (Up to 6 months)
- Microsoft Office 365
- Virus Protection
Financial Literacy Tech Assistance
- Internet Expenses for Business Location (Up to 6 months)
- Accounting Software (i.e., QuickBooks, etc.)
- Computer Reimbursement of up to $500
- Printer, Scanner, Copier reimbursement of up to $200
Computer Literacy Tech Assistance
- Internet expenses for Business location (Up to 6 months)
- Microsoft Office 365
- Virus Protection
- Computer Reimbursement of up to $500
- Printer, Scanner, Copier reimbursement of up to $200
INELIGIBLE EXPENSES
Any activity or equipment purchased prior to receiving final approval of grant funds.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Whenever possible, applicants are strongly encouraged to use local trainings to complete all tasks associated with their training. This will not only help garner support to continue this program, but more importantly help boost our local economy and build partnerships.
GRANT AWARD
Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. This is a reimbursable program and you must submit receipts to verify eligible expenses.
APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS
In order to qualify, applicants will have to complete a training respective to the grant type they are applying for. A list of eligible training programs can be found below. Applicants cannot apply for expenses incurred prior to October 24th, 2022. Submitting an application does not guarantee grant funding. Applicants will be notified of approval.
1. Applications and supporting documentation are submitted to the City of Salinas via this online application.
2. The application is reviewed by the Economic Development Division; approved applications will receive a letter of intent committing to providing the grant funds upon receiving training enrollment verification. If denied, applicants may submit a revised application.
3. Submit verification of completed training program, receipts for eligible expenses, and IRS W-9 form via this online application within 90 days.
4. Payment is made on a reimbursement basis upon completion of the training. Applicants shall provide itemized documentation verifying payment for the eligible expenses under the grant.
ELIGIBLE TRAINING PROGRAMS & PROVIDERS
Listed below are examples of training service providers, please make sure that the training completed is applicable to the type of grant you are applying for. Example: Computer Classes offered through the public librabry are applicable to the Computer Literacy Grant.
- https://calcoastalsbdc.com/
- https://www.elpajarocdc.org/
- https://www.fdic.gov/resources/consumers/money-smart/learn-money-smart/index.html
- https://www.fdic.gov/resources/consumers/money-smart/money-smart-for-small-business/index.html
- https://salinaspubliclibrary.org/learn-explore/adult-learning-literacy
- Click HERE for detailed list of additional providers information & specific trainings
- Other trainings may be acceptable on a case by case basis, please contact bizsupport@ci.salinas.ca.us prior to verify eligibility.
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
City of Salinas Community Development Department
Attn: Crystal Casillas, Community Development Analyst
65 West Alisal St, Salinas, CA 93901
831-758-7367
Salinas Marketing & Technology Grant Program
City of Salinas Marketing and Technology Grant Program
Alisal Plan Area
Instrucciones de traducción al español:
Para traducir esta página al español, haga clic en este enlace https://translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=es&op=websites
Haga clic en Sitios web y copie y pegue este enlace URL: https://ndc.smapply.io/prog/salinas_marketing_technology_grant_program/
PROGRAM PURPOSE
The objective of the marketing and technology grant program is to provide financial assistance for business owners seeking to improve their technology skills or to promote their business in digital platforms. The grant program is intended to address the technological barriers and gaps within the small business community. These grants will help business owners incorporate new digital tools into their businesses to streamline their online operations and marketing strategies.
APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Small business owners located within the Alisal Plan Area as shown in map below (home-based businesses or storefront) are eligible to apply. Business license and all other City accounts must be current, the business must not have current code violations. Each individual business owner may only apply once even if he or she owns more than one business, however, they are eligible to apply in more than one grant category as long as appropriate training for each grant category is completed after October 24th, 2022. Example: Business owner operates 3 different business entities and must choose only one to apply for but may apply for both the Social Media Marketing & Financial Literacy grant categories for the chosen business.
For purposes of this grant, please search your business address HERE to confirm that it is located within the Alisal Plan Area geographic boundaries as shown on the first map in the blue shaded area layer labeled Alisal Plan Area.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
The City of Salinas Economic Development Division’s decision to accept an application will be based on available funds. All approved application will meet the criteria presented in this document.
- Have a current city of Salinas Business License and must have been in business for at least 6 months
- To confirm status or apply, please visit: https://www.cityofsalinas.org/our-city-services/finance/business-licenses
- Have current business registration documentation (as applicable):
- Articles of Incorporation/Organization & Statement of Information filed with CA Sectretary of State
- To confirm status or apply, please visit: https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/
- Fictitious Business Name statement filed with the County of Monterey
- To confirm status or apply, please visit: https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/assessor/clerk/fictitious-business-statements
- Articles of Incorporation/Organization & Statement of Information filed with CA Sectretary of State
- Not have any pending City of Salinas code enforcement violations
- Be located in the Alisal Plan Area (Home-Based Business or Store Front)
- Participate in and complete training though the city, local educational institutions, or small business services providers
- Document and submit expenses to the City for approval
- Mobile street vendors are not eligible
ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
All grant-funded expenses are to be business related uses only. The City of Salinas Economic Development Division reserves the right to determine the eligibility of all items. If you would like to purchase an item that is not listed below, please contact bizsupport@ci.salinas.ca.us prior to purchasing to verify eligibility. Eligible items include, but may not be limited to:
Social Media Marketing Assistance
- Radio/TV Advertising
- Online Webpage Development
- Social Media Development
- Internet expenses for Business location (Up to 6 months)
- Microsoft Office 365
- Virus Protection
Financial Literacy Tech Assistance
- Internet Expenses for Business Location (Up to 6 months)
- Accounting Software (i.e., QuickBooks, etc.)
- Computer Reimbursement of up to $500
- Printer, Scanner, Copier reimbursement of up to $200
Computer Literacy Tech Assistance
- Internet expenses for Business location (Up to 6 months)
- Microsoft Office 365
- Virus Protection
- Computer Reimbursement of up to $500
- Printer, Scanner, Copier reimbursement of up to $200
INELIGIBLE EXPENSES
Any activity or equipment purchased prior to receiving final approval of grant funds.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Whenever possible, applicants are strongly encouraged to use local trainings to complete all tasks associated with their training. This will not only help garner support to continue this program, but more importantly help boost our local economy and build partnerships.
GRANT AWARD
Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. This is a reimbursable program and you must submit receipts to verify eligible expenses.
APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS
In order to qualify, applicants will have to complete a training respective to the grant type they are applying for. A list of eligible training programs can be found below. Applicants cannot apply for expenses incurred prior to October 24th, 2022. Submitting an application does not guarantee grant funding. Applicants will be notified of approval.
1. Applications and supporting documentation are submitted to the City of Salinas via this online application.
2. The application is reviewed by the Economic Development Division; approved applications will receive a letter of intent committing to providing the grant funds upon receiving training enrollment verification. If denied, applicants may submit a revised application.
3. Submit verification of completed training program, receipts for eligible expenses, and IRS W-9 form via this online application within 90 days.
4. Payment is made on a reimbursement basis upon completion of the training. Applicants shall provide itemized documentation verifying payment for the eligible expenses under the grant.
ELIGIBLE TRAINING PROGRAMS & PROVIDERS
Listed below are examples of training service providers, please make sure that the training completed is applicable to the type of grant you are applying for. Example: Computer Classes offered through the public librabry are applicable to the Computer Literacy Grant.
- https://calcoastalsbdc.com/
- https://www.elpajarocdc.org/
- https://www.fdic.gov/resources/consumers/money-smart/learn-money-smart/index.html
- https://www.fdic.gov/resources/consumers/money-smart/money-smart-for-small-business/index.html
- https://salinaspubliclibrary.org/learn-explore/adult-learning-literacy
- Click HERE for detailed list of additional providers information & specific trainings
- Other trainings may be acceptable on a case by case basis, please contact bizsupport@ci.salinas.ca.us prior to verify eligibility.
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
City of Salinas Community Development Department
Attn: Crystal Casillas, Community Development Analyst
65 West Alisal St, Salinas, CA 93901
831-758-7367