The Carlsbad Business Guide to COVID-19 Relief 2021

The Carlsbad Business Guide to COVID-19 Relief (Links to concluded programs have been removed.)

The City of Carlsbad is well on its way to economic recovery as local businesses resume regular operations on June 15.  It’s an exciting time for the city – and the country – as hope and positivity feel evermore within reach. But even on this precipice, the business recovery will be slower going. According to a sentiment survey conducted by the city, 68% of small businesses experienced a decrease in gross revenue of 25% or more. As Carlsbad businesses make up for lost time and revenue, there are still ample resources – federal, state and local – to aid in recovery.

Federal Resources

Event organizers and venues were among the hardest hit during the pandemic, and are among the last sectors to resume normal operations. As such, venue operators are still eligible for assistance through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. The grant is reserved specifically for live venue operators or promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts organization operators, and other professionals in the industry. With over $16 billion in loan dollars available through the grant, Carlsbad venue operators are encouraged to apply until live events can safely resume here.

Of course, it wasn’t just large businesses affected by closures. Small businesses and nonprofits have also experienced a loss of revenue. These organizations have assistance available to them through the SBA’s COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan. Tiers of this loan are reserved for small businesses of all sizes – from qualified agricultural producers of 500 employees to sole proprietors and independent contractors. Up to $10,000 can be awarded without repayment for eligible applicants and businesses in low-income communities. For more information, click here. 

While California formally reopens June 15, many large gatherings are still on-hold

State Resources

While a number of California’s original economic recovery assistance loans and grants have closed, there will be an additional plethora of resources available for small businesses as part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s California Comeback Plan. The Comeback Plan “doubles down on support for small businesses to recover from the pandemic, investing an additional $1.5 billion in COVID-19 relief grants – bringing the total to $4 billion, representing the largest small business grant program in the country.” While small businesses aren’t able to apply for the new allocation of funds yet, updates will be regularly posted here. 

Local Resources

The City of Carlsbad is deeply committed to making all available assistance accessible to local businesses. A total of $4.4 million has been allocated to businesses in need of loans through the City of Carlsbad (The Carlsbad Small Business Loan Program, which was created as a COVID-19 pandemic relief program, concluded on Feb. 28, 2023). Businesses can also benefit from San Diego County resources – such as the Small Business Stimulus Grant, eligible to San Diego County businesses that provide goods and services to the community. 

Grants and loans aren’t the only opportunities for Carlsbad businesses to receive assistance. Many public-private partnerships have formed to provide businesses with discounted or free services, including an offering for a year of free online business tools and software from GoSite. 

Assistance is still available! Follow SBA, Gov. Newsom, and other relief sources on social media to stay up-to-date

Even as California reopens, more resources are being made available. Business owners are encouraged to follow updates from the SBA, California Relief Grant Program, and other resources mentioned in this article to ensure you’re taking advantage of the assistance you deserve.