The City is offering a four week Restaurant Assistance for Increased Sales and Efficiency Upland (Raise-UP) Grant Program, for assistance up to $10,000, which will provide training and funding to brick-and-mortar food-based businesses located in Upland. 

Application period opens on Monday, March 27, 2023 at 8 a.m. and closes on Monday, April 24, 2023 at 5 p.m. 

Please see the attached flyer for eligibility requirements. For more information about the program and to apply, visit: ociesmallbusiness.org/city-of-upland-raise-up-grant-program/

For more information, please call Norma Flores at (909) 931-4267 or via email at NFlores@uplandca.gov. 

Restaurants Care is proud to offer resilience grants to independent restaurants. Grant recipients will receive $5,000 for kitchen equipment, technology upgrades, employee training and bonuses, and unforeseen hardship.  Restaurants under 5 units and less than $3 Million in annual revenue are eligible. 

Application period opens April 15, 2023-May 7, 2023.

See flyer for information. To apply, please visit: Resilience Fund - Restaurants Care

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.

The Microbusiness grant opened on February 28, 2022 and will remain open until funds are exhausted. San Bernardino County is proud to provide this grant to the business community.

Business that qualify for this grant must have the following criteria:

• Business located within the San Bernardino County boundaries
• 5 or less full time employees
• Gross Revenues of less than $50,000 in 2019 Tax Year and 2020 Tax Year
• Did not receive the California Relief Grant issued by Lendistry

For details on the program, please click here.

New Business Guide - In 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom approved a transformative budget, including the largest economic and business recovery package in California state history. The historic budget includes an array of funding opportunities, relief programs, and business incentives to accelerate an innovative and resilient economic recovery.  This guide is intended to help businesses and for-profit entities identify relevant new and existing state funding resources for recovery and success. The guide includes:

• An index of available and forecasted business incentives 
• A Finding Funding Toolkit for identifying State funding resources 
• A listing of all GO-Biz agency email subscriptions

The additional $1.5 billion expansion, for a total of $4 billion, makes California’s small business relief program the largest in the country. The funding will support small businesses and nonprofits that have struggled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. New applications will be accepted starting September 9, 2021.

The Governor announced the creation of a $500 million COVID Relief Grant administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development for small businesses that have been impacted by COVID and the health and safety restrictions. Funds would be awarded to selected intermediaries with established networks of Community Development Financial Institutions to distribute relief through grants to underserved micro and small businesses throughout the state by early 2021. Non-profits would also be eligible for these grants. The three new competitive funding rounds will be conducted by CalOSBA’s selected intermediary, Lendistry.    

The amount of grant funding ranges from $5,000 to $25,000.

There will be a closed round for existing eligible applicants who were waitlisted in previous rounds.  These applicants do not need to reapply. There will be at least one additional round for nonprofit cultural institutions. Additional information can be found at CAReliefGrant.com and below:

Please click here for a schedule of upcoming informational webinars. 

Round 7: Waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds

Selection Window: Tuesday, August 3 through Thursday, September 30

Eligible applicants: This is a closed round and only available to eligible applicants who were waitlisted in certain previous rounds.  Selection does not guarantee approval or an award. If you were waitlisted, you do not need to reapply. New applications will not be accepted in this round.

Eligible grant award: $5,000 to $25,000

Details: This is a closed funding round; no new applications will be accepted.

Round 8: Nonprofit cultural institutions only

Application window: Friday, August 27 through Thursday, September 30

Eligible applicants: Only nonprofit cultural institutions of any revenue size that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com

Eligible grant award: $5,000 – $25,000

Details: Approximately $16 million remain under the Nonprofit Cultural Institutions Program. Eligible nonprofit cultural institutions must complete a new application even if they already applied in Rounds 1, 2, 5 or 6; nonprofit cultural institutions that applied in Round 4 do not need to reapply.  Grants will only be available to nonprofit cultural institutions that did not receive funding in any previous rounds. Grants will be prioritized based on the documented percentage revenue declines based on a reporting period comparing Q2 and Q3 of 2020 versus Q2 and Q3 of 2019.

Round 9: New Applicants and Waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds

Application window: Thursday, September 9 through Thursday, September 30

Eligible applicants: Current waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds and new applicants that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com

Eligible grant award: $5,000 – $25,000

Details: Applicants not selected to move forward in the review process in Rounds 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, or 7 do not need to re-apply and will be automatically moved into Round 9. New applicants will need to apply at CAReliefGrant.com.

The California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program is administered by CalOSBA through a competitive bid award to its intermediary, Lendistry, and its statewide network of community-based lenders and partners. Many of the state-supported small business centers, which prioritize the expansion of technical assistance to underserved business groups, are also available to help small businesses with the application process in multiple languages and formats.

For more information on grant requirements and eligibility, along with links to application tips and webinars, visit CAReliefGrant.com.

Need Help? Contact the Call Center: (888) 612-4370

Call Center Hours: Monday Through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. PST

The Restaurant Revitalization Fund is a grant for new and existing businesses where the public or patrons assemble for the primary purpose of being served food or beverage. This program will provide businesses with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location.

Applications are now closed!

To learn more about the program, eligibility, qualified expenses, grant calculation, please click here or to apply, you may click on the SBA's application portal here. Please see the Program Guide below.  

Attached is a flyer that describes the Restaurant Revitalization Fund program in further detail. 

Restaurant Revitalization Fund 

• $10 Million cap per grant 
• $5 Million limit per physical location
• Must have 20 or fewer establishments
• Must certify economic necessity 
• Not subject to income tax 
• Federal tax deductions protected
• Cannot be publicly traded
• Cannot do this and Shutter Venue Grant

Eligible Business Types

• Restaurant
• Food Truck, Cart, Stand
• Caterer
• Bar
• Lounge
• Inn
• Tavern
• Saloon
• Bakery
• Brewery
• Winery
• Tasting Room

 The City of Upland created the Upland Small Business Support: Rent Recovery Program (USBS:RRP) to assist restaurant and retail establishments in Upland that have been impacted by California’s shut-down orders.  The USBS:RRP is funded in whole with limited federal CARES Act funding and made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Community Development Block Grant program.  The application period has ended and all eligible businesses have been notified. 

A livestream was held on January 14, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. Tier 1 applicants (Priority Numbers 1-25) have until January 28, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) to submit all required documentation. If they are deemed ineligible, spaces will open up for Tier 2 applications. Tier 2 applicants will be activated sequentially in queue until all program funding is exhausted. 

COVID-Compliant Business Partnership Program - Extended through December 13th.

PROVIDING $30 MILLION IN SMALL BUSINESS FUNDING AND SUPPORTING ALL BUSINESSES WHO PARTNER

The COVID-Compliant Business Partnership Program invests $30 million in supporting local businesses to ensure compliance with public health safety practices. To support our local small businesses and help ensure ongoing compliance with State and County Health orders and direction, San Bernardino County is implementing the COVID-Compliant Business Partnership Program. 

This program has two components:

• Original funding of $2,500 has now increased to $5,000 for eligible Small Businesses and Non-profits with 1-100 employees. Previous funding recipients that applied before October 31, 2020 will receive a check for the additional finding (except Short Term rental and Private Schools.
• Support and Partnership for ALL eligible County businesses who wish to become a COVID-Compliant Business Partner

Eligible businesses, per qualifying location, can receive up to $5,000. Applications are being accepted online at www.sbcovid19.com  

Deadline for Application now extended to December 13, 2020 or until funding is exhausted, on a first-come, first-served basis. Please reference flyer below. Learn more and apply to become a COVID-Compliant Business by clicking here.   

Here are some of the recent revisions:

• In addition to the $5,000 provided to eligible participants, the County has increased outdoor funding from $1,200 to $2,500 per business to restaurants, retail stores, and service businesses that relocated their operations outdoors in response to State regulations. 
• Previous funding recipients that applied before October 31, 2020 will receive a check for the additional funding.
• Eligible businesses may apply for both the COVID-Compliant Business Partnership Program and the Outdoor Operations Program under one application. 
• Short Term Rentals (STRs) can receive support of $500 to offset basic costs of safety improvements and increased sanitization requirements. Any additional STR under the same owner would be eligible for an additional $250 each.

Support Upland Businesses! View the San Bernardino County COVID Business Compliance Partners at this link. Prior to receiving this designation, small businesses must demonstrate compliance with State/County public health orders, and incorporate safety and social distancing practices and measures in their business operations.  

The City of Upland has established an Outdoor Dining Program for Upland in response to COVID-19. Temporary outdoor dining shall be permitted until January 2, 2021. Please visit www.uplandca.gov/temporary-outdoor-dining-permit to obtain outdoor dining application and requirements. Please reference the Temporary Outside Dining Permit Application and Regulations document below:

The City of Upland is now allowing retail stores within the Historic Downtown area to temporarily display merchandise outdoors while the streets are closed.  A Temporary Outdoor Merchandise Display application is required to be submitted and approved.  Temporary outdoor displays of merchandise will be allowed until January 2, 2021.  Please click on the PDF below to view the Temporary Outdoor Merchandise Display application and requirements.

The State of California has announced a new campaign Calling All Californians: #ShopSafeShopLocal to encourage Californians to support all local small businesses in their communities, like the City of Upland, and help all of our diverse neighborhoods thrive.

We are proud to partner with the State of California in its campaign! The State has partnered with industry leaders and small business experts to provide California's small businesses with the tools and resources to help them adapt to the new marketplace and create in-person and online safe shopping experience for us all. Please visit the website link at https://business.ca.gov/shopsafeshoplocal

Some of these resources include:

• Resources, discounts and offers from the State's partners to help businesses operate safely, such as a digital media toolkit https//business.ca.gov/shopsafeshoplocal/calosba-media-toolkit
• Latest State industry guidance and County variances
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) through SafelyMakingCA.org, California's new PPE marketplace

Important Updates from the Governor

Industry Guidelines have been issued by  the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), in conjunction with Cal/OSHA, to help workplaces operate and reopen safely. The goal is a safer environment for workers and customers. Businesses may use effective alternative or innovative methods to build upon the Guidelines, but before reopening, all facilities must first perform a detailed risk assessment and implement a site-specific protection plan.

Industries that are currently allowed to resume full or modified operations, if they're permitted to open per County health rules, can be found on the industry guidance website. Stage 2 expansion will be phased in gradually. Some communities may move through Stage 2 faster if they are able to show greater progress. Counties that have met the readiness criteria and worked with the CDPH can open more workplaces as outlined on the County Variance Page.

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announces new sectors that can reopen with modifications Statewide. See attached CDPH News Release.

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**Click here for your restaurant to apply for the Great Plates Program**

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Did you know that advertising on the Shop Upland App is available to ALL Upland businesses? Click here to learn more about advertising your business to Upland residents and beyond with the Shop Upland app!

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• Attachment: Executive Order 2020-1 April 21 2020

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY NEWS RELEASES AND COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER ORDERS. Important news, resources and health officer orders in our battle against COVID-19. Click here to read the San Bernardino County Health Officer Orders and News Releases 

Guidance for Public Gatherings. Information for businesses in regard to recommendations for business operations responsive to the guidelines from the California Department of Public Health can be found here: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Guidance.aspx, specifically guidance as it relates to gatherings and social distancing. 

Small Business Administration (SBA) COVID-19 Funding Options. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering funding options to California small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).  Click here for SBA Disaster Assistance to CA Small Businesses Economically Impacted by COVID-19  

The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has compiled helpful information for employers, employees and all Californians as it relates to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Please click here to access the State’s GO-Biz site: https://business.ca.gov/coronavirus-2019/

California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) has prepared a page on their website with great information on Federal, State and local resources to assist businesses hit hard by the Coronavirus COVID-19. Please click on the link here: https://caled.org/economic-development-resources-for-the-novel-coronavirus-and-covid-19/

San Bernardino County Economic Development Agency has created a page that highlights the current business relief programs available to businesses, including everything from SBA loan programs to utility programs. Please click on the link here: https://www.selectsbcounty.com/major-initiatives/covid-19

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) - For COVID-19 business resources, and how SBDC can help your business, please click here: https://inlandempiresbdc.org/resource/covid-19/ If you have any questions, please call the SBDC at (951) 781-2345. 

To report price gouging in San Bernardino County call the Attorney General’s Office at 800-952-5225.