A hundred small businesses in San Luis Obispo are recipients of COVID-19 relief grants awarded by the city and San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce.
The grant recipients were notified on Friday, Feb. 5. The application for the second round of grants opened from Dec. 23 to Jan. 8. The city says more than 525 businesses applied.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an impact on our local, small business community, this second round of funding will provide some relief to support the economic stability, recovery and resiliency of SLO City small businesses,” said City Manager Derek Johnson. “The City and the SLO Chamber will continue to work together to help support small businesses so our community can recover, together.”
After a thorough review of the more than 525 applications submitted, one hundred businesses received the $5,000 grants.
Some recipients say they will use the funds to pay outstanding bills, hire back staff and refresh their inventory.
“It has been a tremendously tough first year of business between our late opening and a once-in-a-century pandemic,” said Jake Hildebrand, owner of 1865 Craft House + Kitchen. “However, we see the undeniable light at the end of the tunnel, and are thrilled that this grant can help us jumpstart our operations once again. We are so thankful to the City and SLO Chamber for their dedication to supporting small businesses, and recognition of them as the backbone of our community.”
The City and Chamber of Commerce say $841,000 has been awarded in both rounds of the SLO City Small Business Relief Fund.
Another round of funding is not scheduled at this time, however, the SLO Chamber asks that any businesses or citizens in need of financial support reach out to them.
