“Qualified microbusiness” means an entity that meets and self-certifies, under penalty of perjury, all of the following criteria:

• Physical address within Lassen County 
• Prior to December 31, 2019, the microbusiness began its operation and was legally operating since that time, including being registered with the California Secretary of State, if required.
• The microbusiness is currently active and operating, or has a clear plan to reopen when the state permits reopening of the business.
• The microbusiness was significantly impacted by COVID-19 pandemic, as evidenced by at least a 10% reduction in revenue from the 2019 to 2020 taxable years.
• The microbusiness had less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in revenues in the 2019 taxable year. 
• The microbusiness currently has fewer than five full-time equivalent employees and had fewer than five full-time equivalent employees in the 2019 and 2020 taxable years.
• The microbusiness is not a business excluded from participation in the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program, as specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Government Code Section 12100.82.

“Qualified microbusiness owner” means an individual that meets and self-certifies, under

penalty of perjury, all of the following criteria:

• The microbusiness owner is the majority-owner and manager of the qualified microbusiness.
• The microbusiness owner’s primary means of income in the 2019 taxable year was the qualified microbusiness.
• The microbusiness owner did not receive a grant under the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program.
• The microbusiness owner can demonstrate their eligibility as a “qualified microbusiness owner” by providing the fiscal agent with a government issued photo identification (state, domestic, or foreign), and documentation that includes the owner’s name and may include, but is not limited to, the following:
  1. A local business permit or license or
  2. A bank statement or
  3. A tax return or
  4. Additional documentation to verify a microbusiness is a “qualified microbusiness”, as deemed appropriate by the fiscal agent.

Sierra County: 1
Plumas County: 9
Lassen County: 13
Modoc County: 4

The intent of the funding from Cal OSBA is to provide relief to the hardest to reach microbusinesses and entrepreneurs. The county will implement an outreach and marketing plan to identify and engage eligible microbusinesses that face systemic barriers to access capital, including but not limited to, businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans, individuals without documentation, individuals with limited English proficiency, and business owners located in low-wealth and rural, communities.

No. The funds you receive are a grant, not a loan, and do not need to be paid back.

The administrators cannot provide tax advice to those who receive payments. Any taxes associated with accepting or using the grant funds are the responsibility of the awardee. The administrators recommend that claimants consult with personal tax advisors for any questions regarding tax liability for these payments.

No, you do not need to be a U.S. citizen to apply.

Yes, you can apply without a tax return. If you do not have a 2019 tax return, you can upload one of the following:

• A local business permit or license
• A bank statement
• Trade Account
• 2019 Profit and Loss Statements

If you need assistance or have questions, call Sierra SBDC at 530-582-5022 or email info@sierrasbdc.com

The administrator is required to report grant funding information to the United States Treasury at the end of the year, which is done using W-9 forms. Filling out a W-9 now will help us send out checks more quickly to successful applicants. No funds will be disbursed without a W-9 and applications will be deemed incomplete without the W-9.

Please fill out your W-9 exactly how you file your taxes for the business.

If you need assistance or have questions, call Sierra SBDC at 530-582-5022 or email info@sierrasbdc.com

Yes, you can apply if you received funds from the Paycheck Protection Program, EIDL or other pandemic-related loan programs.

No, you may not apply if you received funds from the California Relief Grant Program.

All applications must be filled out online. No physical applications will be accepted. Applications can be filled out with a mobile phone. If you need help accessing a computer with internet access or filling out the application, please contact the Sierra SBDC at 530-582-5022 or email info@sierrasbdc.com.

You must submit ALL the required documents. Incomplete applications will not be considered. However, if you do not have one of the documents listed and you are a qualified business, you can have an organization sign a 3rd Party Certification Form on your behalf.

Applicants will be required to self-certify that grant funds will be used for one or more of the following eligible uses:

• The purchase of new certified equipment including, but not limited to, a cart.
• Investment in working capital.
• Application for, or renewal of, a local permit including, but not limited to, a permit to operate as a sidewalk vendor.
• Payment of business debt accrued due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Costs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and related health and safety restrictions, or business interruptions or closures incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as defined in subdivision (l) of Section 12100.83.

Yes, you can. You still need to provide one source of documentation that qualifies you as a business.

No, you may only apply one time even if you own, co-own, or operate multiple businesses. Only one business will be eligible.

Please select what you might consider the “primary” business location.

You can save and edit your application until you submit it. You do not need to complete it all in one sitting. Please take your time on your application and do not submit it until you are sure it is complete and correct.

Your application will AUTOMATICALLY save once you start it. You can leave the application or close the browser at any point, and the application will be automatically saved when you return.

You can also click the “SAVE APPLICATION” button at the bottom of the form to see a summary of your in-progress application.

Yes, you can apply. The general manager, CEO, executive director, or other principal at the non-profit must meet the requirements of a “Qualified microbusiness owner.” See above.

The application is open on a first-come, first-serve basis until funds are expended. Applications must be complete to be considered.

You will be notified of your award by email. Checks will be mailed. Be sure to check your email regularly, including your spam folders. Emails to applicants will come from Micro Biz Grant Program <administrator@grantinterface.com>.

Yes, you will be notified by email whether or not you receive a grant.

If you need assistance, you can contact the Sierra SBDC, the grant administrator, at 530-582-5022, or email info@sierrasbdc.com. Se habla español.