LIFT INITIATIVE
SPARK RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM

INTRODUCTION

To mitigate the long-term impact of COVID-19 on small businesses, San Joaquin County has authorized the Spark Relief Grant Program for Small Business Assistance utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. This program will play a vital role in fostering economic recovery and resilience within our community. Despite showing remarkable resilience, small businesses are still vulnerable, grappling with increased operational costs, reduced revenue streams and workforce challenges.

The objective of this program is to provide targeted support to ensure small businesses not only recover but thrive in a post-pandemic economy. The Local investment for Financial Thrive (LIFT) Initiative builds on the County’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its small business community by delivering direct financial relief and strategic support. The LIFT Initiative will address key challenges and offer immediate relief to small businesses located in San Joaquin County. The Spark Relief Grant program will ease operational costs by reimbursing utility expenses by providing immediate financial relief, allowing impacted businesses that were operational prior to the pandemic, to allocate resources toward economic recovery and growth. Grants up to $5,000 for eligible small businesses for utility expenses will be provided for businesses who suffered financial harm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

OVERVIEW – SPARK RELIEF GRANTS

1. Spark Relief Grants are for qualified small businesses in San Joaquin County that have incurred financial harm due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. First-time applicants may seek reimbursement to cover expenditures incurred between January 1, 2022 and the date of the grant application.
3. Spark Relief Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis so long as funding is available or until June 1, 2026, whichever occurs earlier.
4. Spark Relief Grants are limited to one grant per business owner, household, taxpayer ID, etc. For example, if a business owner owns multiple businesses, or if multiple members of the same household apply, only one grant will be awarded per household or taxpayer ID.
5. Spark Relief Grants are limitedto expenditures for business utilities. Business utilities include electricity, natural gas, propane, water, sewer, garbage, phone, and internet.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must be a small business that has operated in San Joaquin County with no more than 50 employees since January 1, 2020.
• Applicants must sign a self-certification that the small business experienced financial harm due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the business is still operating. Examples of economic harm include government-imposed closures, loss of salesor reduced revenue, increased operational costs, workforce challenges or new costs relating to the pandemic.
• The expenditures must have occurred at the applicant’s place of business in San Joaquin County between January 1, 2022 and the date of the grant application or until June 1, 2026.
• Applicants must provide a copy of the paid utility invoices as proof that the utilities have already been paid. The invoice must clearly show the applicant's name (business name), the service address, date of utility expense, and the payment confirmation or receipt.
• The maximum grant available under this program is $5,000. The grant may not exceed actual utility costs.
• Applicants must submit a current W-9 form signed and dated. Form can be found at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf.
• Applicants must operate out of a physical commercial storefront located in San Joaquin County.
• Applicants who are tenants must provide utility bills in their name. Utility costs included in rent, such as CAM (Common Area Maintenance) fees, are not eligible.
• Applicants must provide a copy of an active Business License in San Joaquin County and the state of California.
• Applicants must be in good standing and not have any outstanding code violations or delinquent taxes with federal, state or local governments, including with the County and/or city in which located.
• Have not received from other sources for the payment of the same business utilities which would be considered a duplication of benefits.
• It is the applicant’s responsibility to redact personal identifying information, such as social security or taxpayer ID numbers, when submitting documentation in support of the application.
  
  

INELIGIBLE BUSINESSES

• Religious organizations
• Liquor stores
• Bars
• Check cashing facilities
• Cannabis dispensaries
• National chains or franchises
• Drive-thru restaurants
• Residential buildings
• Healthcare providers
• Independent contractors/operators, etc.

San Joaquin County reserves the right to deem additional businesses ineligible.

INELIGIBLE EXPENSES FOR REIMBURSEMENT

• Past due amounts
• Reimbursement of credit card expenditures
• Reimbursement of bills/invoices that are not in the applicant's/business name
• CAM fees, utilities covered in a master bill
• Solar panel payments, etc.

San Joaquin County reserves the right to deem additional expenses ineligible.

CONTACT

Please direct any questions to SparkGrant@sjcworknet.org
San Joaquin County Economic Development Association: 209-468-3615

Website: http://45522635.hs-sites.com/san-joaquin-lift-spark-grant