City of Madera / MCEDC Micro Enterprise Business Pandemic Assistance Grant
$5,000 Grant

Eligible Business

For-Profit Business with 5 or less employees are eligible. Eligible business owner must be in the low to moderate family income as per HUD income limits.

Eligible Uses

Grant funds may be used for working capital to cover the day-to-day business operating expenses such as payroll expenses, rent/lease payments, mortgage payments, utility expenses or other similar expenses that occur int he ordinary course of operations.

Geography

Businesses located only within the City of Madera.

Grant Program Guidelines
  • Eligible applicants include for-profit businesses physically located and operating within the City of Madera with a demonstrated economic need and have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Home-based businesses are NOT eligible.
  • Business must have been in operation since January 2019.
  • Grants funds will be limited to one (1) grant per business entity.
  • Business must have no more than five (5) full time equivalent employees (FTE) including the owners. Self-employed business owners are eligible. (40 hours per week equals 1.0 FTEs; a part-time employee working 20 hours per week equals 0.5 FTE)
  • Business applicants having received disaster relief funding such as Paycheck Protection Program, SBA Economic Injury Disaster Relief Loan or other CARES Act funded business assistance program will be considered. Preference will be given to those who have NOT received any disaster relief funding.
  • Business applicant must have no bankruptcies within the last three years; bankruptcies of record must have a discharge date dating back at least three (3) years at time of grant application.
  • A business must demonstrate the economic impact COVID-19 has had on the business operations. Business must submit copies of their 2019 tax return and 2020 Profit & Loss by Quarter.
  • Selected businesses will be required to complete a W-9 and agree to provide documentation verifying use of funds.
The Following Businesses or Organizations are NOT Eligible for this Grant Opportunity
  1. Home-based, religious organizations or religiously affiliated groups.
  2. Businesses where city staff and council members or their spouses, domestic partners or dependents hold a financial stake.
  3. Newspaper, television, radio and other media services.
  4. Gambling establishments.
  5. Local outlets of national chains unless privately and locally owned and operated.
  6. Businesses that are not in compliance or plan to not be in compliance with existing and future gubernatorial executive orders and state and local health officer orders.

Applications will not be processed without all required documentation and signatures.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the City of Madera / MCEDC Micro Enterprise Business Pandemic Assistance Grant?
  • City of Madera received grant funds from Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for COVID relief. MCEDC applied for and was awarded $150,000 to help Micro Enterprise Businesses in the City of Madera impacted by COVID-19. The grant program will provide grants to eligible businesses. The grant amount will be $5,000. Businesses with five (5) or less employees are eligible applicants. Business owner must be a low to moderate income earner, per HUD income limits.
  • If the number of applications exceeds the amount of funding available, then a lottery system will be implemented to prioritized applications.

Download Application

English  –  Spanish

Pregunta y respuesta en espanol

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By Email: Send application to info@maderacountyedc.com

By Fax: 559-675-3252 

By Mail: MCEDC, 2425 W. Cleveland Ave. #101 Madera, CA 93637

Applications will be accepted beginning March 15th until April 2nd, 2021.

An additional funding cycle may occur if funds are available after the April 2nd deadline.

A. Completed Applications
B. Business Verification Documents:

  • Copy of Current City of Madera Business License
  • 2019 Personal/Business Federal Tax Returns
  • 2020 Profit & Loss by Quarter
  • Documentation of other COVID-19 relief funding
  • Completed W-9
  • A written and signed statement describing in detail how COVID-19 has impacted the business.
  • Completed Micro Enterprise Self-Certification form for business owner.

C. Additional Documents

  • Business will provide a DUNS # for reporting purposes.

Business Federal Tax Return for 2019

For-Profit business physically located and operating within the City of Madera, with five (5) or less employees and a demonstrated economic need and have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Business owner must be from a low to moderate income household per HUD income limits. Self-employed businesses are eligible.

Business applicant will be considered if business has been approved or has received disaster relief funding such as Paycheck Protection Program, SBA Economic Injury Disaster Relief Loan or any other CARES Act funded business assistance program, including grants from the Madera Chamber or Madera County. Preference will be given to those businesses who have NOT received any disaster relief funding.

Business is eligible to apply if they have a business license reflecting a date prior to January 1, 2019.

Grant funds may be used for working capital to cover the day-to-day business operating expenses such as payroll expenses, rent/lease payments, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of operations.

City of Madera requires each business to be current on their taxes, have no existing liens, judgments or bankruptcies dated within 3 years as part of qualifying for this Grant. A business’ credit score or other report information will not be reviewed or used as part of the qualifications.

Applications will be accepted beginning at 8:00 AM on March 15, 2021, until 5:00 PM on April 2, 2021. An additional funding cycle may occur if funds are available after the April 2nd deadline.

You will be notified beginning the week of April 5, 2021. Funds will be mailed to the address listed on the W-9.

Top 3 Reasons To Choose Madera County

  • Low cost of living means your business can grow and flourish.
  • Madera County is located in the center of California so reaching major cities is an easy 3-hour drive.
  • Madera County is focused on business attraction & retention so expect a streamlineD permitting process.

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