In an attempt to help local restaurants during the current lockdown, Los Angeles County has initiated a grant program for small businesses to apply for relief. The application for the program opened at midnight today, and will available until Sunday, Dec. 6 at 11:59 p.m.
The program is open to all constituents within LA County except for those in Los Angeles city, unincorporated Los Angeles County territory, and the city of Pasadena. However, businesses that have already received assistance from other Los Angeles County CARES Act or COVID-funded programs, are not eligible for this program.
Additionally, a business must meet the following criteria to be considered eligible:
- You have a fixed brick and mortar location with a full-service kitchen. (Pop ups and food trucks are not eligible).
- You have less than 25 employees.
- You do not have more than five business locations. Those with multiple locations, but with five or less, may only submit one application.
- You are not a corporate-owned franchise.
- Your restaurant has a current inspection grade of “C” or better.
- Your restaurant was established and operating no later than March 4, 2020.
Restaurants that provided outdoor dining as of Nov. 24, will be given preference and selected based on order of submission. Those awarded the grant will receive $30,000 for working capital use, such as employee payroll expenses, capital to continue operations, payment of outstanding business expenses, and adaptive business practices needed to remain open.
To apply for the grant,
- COVID-19 Grant Agreement
- COVID-19 Statement of Impact, demonstrating that the business has been significantly impacted by the closures caused by COVID-19.
- Signed federal 2018 or 2019 tax returns
- Current business license. If current license is not available, expired business license with proof of renewal payment made.
- Copy of inspection grade card issued by the Public Health Department
- Government-issued photo identification for business principals, interest
Organizational Documents will also be required, and differ based on the type of company applying for a grant.
For businesses with a sole proprietor, a fictitious name filing is needed, if applicable.
For corporations, the application requires a Filed State of California Secretary of State Statement of Information showing all officers. Provide copies of all filed amendments to the SOI. Two officers will be required to sign the Grant Agreement.
For Limited Liability Companies (LLC), an Operating agreement and Secretary of State Statement of Information (Limited Liability Company) forms LLC-1, LLC-12, and LLC-2 will need to be provided, if applicable.
Trusts will need to provide a copy of signed and notarized Trust Certification, and partnerships need to provide a copy of the signed Partnership Agreement.
Identification requirements are also slightly different
Sole proprietor must submit a copy of government issued identification.
A Corporation Officer(s) must submit a copy of government issued identification.
All managing parties (member or managers) of the LLC must submit a copy of government issued identification.
The trustee(s) of a trust must submit a copy of government issued identification.
The managing partner(s) of a partnership must submit a copy of government issued identification.
On the first anniversary of grant agreement, grantee shall report what funds were used for, number of employees currently on payroll and business operational status.
Applicants must retain all receipts and other records supporting expenditure of funds for a period of five years.
The funds being used to fund these grants are extremely time sensitive. Therefore, specific communication timeframes have been defined to ensure all funds are spent within the allowable timeframe. It is imperative that applicants respond in a timely manner.
It is expected that applicants respond to any communication efforts by the Los Angeles County Development Authority staff within two calendar days of receipt of a call or email. Applicants failure to respond will constitute forfeiture of application.
Applicants will be given a maximum of three calendar days to provide any missing information. Failure to provide needed documentation will constitute forfeiture of application.
For more information and to apply, go to http://keeplacountydining.lacda.org.
