Small Businesses

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Business Grant Program

Eligibility: Businesses with 25 or fewer employees within the City of Aliso Viejo who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please contact Theresa Dobbs at tdobbs@avcity.org for full eligibility requirements.

Important Dates: Applications must be received by October 3, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. Program application can be found here: 

Description: The CDBG Business Grant Program's purpose is to provide pandemic relief funding to assist small businesses. Funds will be provided based on compliance with Program Guidelines, availability of funds, and submission of the required application and supporting documentation.

California Competes Tax Credit and Grant Program

Eligibility: Businesses of any industry, size, or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on twelve different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment, and strategic importance to the state or region.

Important Dates: Application deadlines have passed for the 2021-22 fiscal year.

Description: The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) and Grant Program (CCGP) are available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. 

Alcoholic Beverage Control Renewal Fee Waiver

Eligibility: Specified on-sale licensees may be eligible for fee waivers of licenses with expiration dates between March 1, 2021, and February 28, 2023.

Important Dates: Eligible licensees may request a fee waiver prior to the expiration date of the license as provided on the renewal notice.

Description: Governor Newsom has signed a relief package that authorizes Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to waive license renewal fees for eligible licensees. 

California Rebuilding Fund

Eligibility: Businesses who employed 50 or less full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) and had gross revenues of less than $2.5 million or below in 2019

Important Dates: Application available now

Description: The California Rebuilding Fund helps impacted small businesses rebuild from the economic crisis and keep local economies strong. This program is built to be a resource in the market for the next year as businesses pivot and recover.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program

Eligibility: Small business (less than 500 employees), sole proprietorships, independent contractors, self-employed persons, private nonprofit organizations, 501(c)(19) veterans organizations

Important Dates: As of January 1, 2022, COVID EIDL is not able to accept applications for new loans or advances, but will continue to accept requests for increases, reconsideration, and appeals.

Description: The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) is a loan up to $2 million with an advance of up to $10,000 designed to provide immediate relief to small businesses. This loan will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue due to COVID-19. The loan advance does not have to be repaid. Funds will be made available through the Small Business Administration (SBA) following a successful application process.