1. EMERGENCY GRANT PROGRAM FOR BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY RECENT BURGLARIES
The Special Activity Permits Division and Elevate Impact have launched an Emergency Grant Program that minimizes barriers and provides $15,000 in grant funds to any Verified Equity Applicant that can demonstrate that their business was burglarized in Oakland between May 25th-June 8th, 2020. The Emergency Grant Program is in addition to the regular grant and loan programs available to equity applicants. More information is available here.
2. INCREASE TO THE AMOUNTS FOR THE REGULAR GRANT PROGRAM
Thanks to the City Council's acceptance of the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz) grant last week, our office has increased the size of each grant tier in the regular Grant Program for equity applicants, including a maximum grant size now of $33,000. Our office determined the size of the grants based on the strong interest in grants, the 200 plus eligible equity applicants, and the amount of overall grant funding available. Our office can increase the size of these grants further should grant funding remain available in the coming months. Information on this Grant Program can be found here.
3. FIRST MONTHLY MEETING ON LOAN AND GRANT PROGRAMS
Starting next month, our office and Elevate Impact will be holding monthly meetings with all interested equity applicants to share information about the grant and loan programs and create an ongoing feedback loop. The first meeting is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday July 7th at 10am. More information will be sent out via email and the City's website once that date is finalized.