Pasadena EDC Takes More Business Grant Applications
The deadline to apply for the second phase of the Pasadena Cares Financial Assistance Grant is midnight November 20, and EDC hopes to expand its reach to small business owners who may have missed the first round.
“We encourage all small business owners to apply and members of the community to share the information with those who may not be familiar with the program,” said Suzette McDowell, EDC Marketing Director.
Many business owners who applied in the first phase must have been convinced, she said.
“Initially, some companies thought it was too good to be true; so Mayor (Jeff) Wagner made several stops with our team, encouraging them to apply. It was fun to see how excited the business owners were about this interaction, ”McDowell said.
The second phase of the effort began receiving applications on October 19.
The Pasadena Cares Financial Assistance Grants Program is accepting applications for its second round of $ 1,000 grants to help small businesses affected by the pandemic.
Conditions to apply:https://bityl.co/4H7W
Deadline to apply: midnight November 20.
More information: Send a message to [email protected] or call 713-920-7966.
“We are now working on the promotion of Phase 2 and have already received a good number of applications,” said McDowell.
The grant program was made possible through a partnership between EDC, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and the city.
EDC’s board of directors had approved $ 250,000 to fund the initiative and grants will be awarded until all funds are awarded.
The selection process will continue to be by lottery, McDowell said.
Phase 2 recipients will be contacted at the end of November and checks will be distributed in December.
The Pasadena Cares Financial Assistance Grant program is linked to a city-wide “local shop” initiative to promote local businesses in Pasadena.
“The main goal of this program and the global campaign is not only to provide some type of financial support, but also to raise awareness of the importance of investing in our local community so that together we can accomplish more,” McDowell said.
Requirements to be eligible for the lottery include that businesses have a physical storefront in the city of Pasadena, cannot be involved in disputes with the city, and must be up to date with sales and property tax returns. .
The other requirements are that a candidate be active and must not have had more than 50 employees by March 1.
Businesses that are not eligible for the program include pawn shops, cash advance stores, gas stations and convenience stores, sexually oriented businesses, tobacco stores, and liquor stores.
Also excluded from the application are non-profit groups and national chains, with the exception of owner-managed franchises.