Small Business Assistance Grant

About the Small Business Assistance Grant (SBAG) Program

The City of Alhambra established a Small Business Assistance Grant (SBAG) Program to support local small businesses impacted by COVID-19 with grants to retain the continuity of business operations for services to the community and/or assist income-qualified microenterprises.  Financial assistance in one-time $5,000 grants is available to eligible applicants. Grants are based on availability, program guidelines, and the submission of all required information and supporting documentation proving financial hardship or recovery relating to COVID-19.    

Applications continue to be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the funding for the program is completed. Please apply early as there is limited funding. Print the application and supporting documents, and submit it to the City Manager's Office at 111 South First Street, Alhambra, CA 91801. (Please note: A DUNS number is no longer needed for the application).

Download the English application here. 

Download the Chinese application here.

Download the Spanish application here.

Please refer to the Program Guidelines for more details on the eligibility requirements.

View a map of the City of Alhambra Low-Moderate Income Census Tract here to determine eligibility.

For questions on the SBAG Program, please call (626) 570-5011 or email communications@cityofalhambra.org.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the Alhambra Small Business Assistance Grant (SBAG) Program, a business must meet certain criteria as established by the City of Alhambra and as set forth by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for utilizing CDBG-CV funds. The business must also demonstrate the need for financial support resulting from COVID-19.

The business applicant must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for grant funding:

•    Qualifying businesses must be a for-profit and physically located in the city limits of Alhambra with no more than 25 employees including the owner(s) or be a microbusiness with 5 or fewer employees including the owner(s).   

•    The business must have a current business license with the City of Alhambra.  

•    The business must have been operational for at least six months.    

•    The business must be in good standing with the City (must have no violations with federal, state, or local government).  There must be no liens against the business.  

•    The business must have experienced demonstrable impact or hardship in business operations due to COVID-19.

•    The business must meet HUD’s criteria of low-income benefit. 

•    The business must not have received business assistance from other sources, including federal, state, or county governments for programs such as the Small Business Association (SBA), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), SBA Express Bridge Loan, SBA Debt Relief, or Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan.  Relief is not eligible if the funds are a duplication of benefits provided by the City.    

•    The business must submit the application, and all required supporting documentation including a W-9 Form.  

•    The business must have incurred COVID-related expenses prior to the submittal of this application.  This program does not advance grant funds for future expenses.  

•    City employees and elected officials are not eligible to participate in this program.  

Ineligible Applicants 

An ineligible applicant is one that has a physical business location outside Alhambra’s City Limits.  Additional ineligible businesses include but are not limited to:

•    Businesses with Active Municipal Code violations.  

•    Corporate and franchise businesses.  

•    Residential and commercial landlords or real estate projects including short term rentals.  

•    Lending and investment institutions.  Financial planners.  

•    Hotels/Motels. 

•    New and Used Auto Sales.  

•    Non-profit entities. 

•    Doctor offices.   

•    Attorney and Paralegal offices.

•    Insurance offices.  

•    Accountants.    

•    Any business that does not comply with local, state and federal laws.  

Eligible Activities

Grants may be awarded to small businesses in order to mitigate financial hardships created from the pandemic such as restricted operations and/or to implement safer operating procedures or operations in order to respond, prevent or mitigate the COVID-19 public health emergency.  Funds can also be used to drive economic recovery as in responding to the Coronavirus recession and, for example, retooling the small business to address new market niches.    

Examples include, but are not limited to:

•    Overhead expenses. 

•    Rent and utilities. 

•    Business services to increases capacity to carryout business activities including marketing and promotions. 

•    Payroll expenses including hiring bonuses (within limits). 

•    Business inventory and supplies including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). 

•    Day-to-day expenses including maintenance, capital or equipment purchases for business operations.