Title
Staff Report for a City of San Leandro City Council Resolution Authorizing the Transfer to Alameda County of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) of Budgeted Business Incentive Funds to be Administered as Small Business Grants to San Leandro Businesses as Part of the County of Alameda CARES Act Grant Program During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City of San Leandro City Council adopt a Resolution authorizing transfer to Alameda County of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) of budgeted business incentive funds to be administered as small business grants to San Leandro businesses as part of the County of Alameda CARES Act Grant Program.
BACKGROUND
Following the initiation of the Alameda County Shelter-in-Place Order (Order) on March 17, 2020, many San Leandro businesses, including specialty retail, restaurants, personal services (hair, nails, etc.), and health and fitness businesses were required to close, or limited to pick up service only, in order to protect employees and customers and limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The Orders' restrictions have devastated local businesses, particularly small service, food, and other direct customer serving businesses. Even as certain businesses have been permitted to reopen, small businesses continue to suffer from reduced customer traffic due to work from home arrangements and customers' reluctance for person-to-person contact. With reduced sales, increased costs of operations due to required personal protective equipment and physical protective measures, and the cost of ongoing and past due rent, businesses continue to have significant financial challenges operating during the pandemic.
In recognition of the continued financial stress on small businesses, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors authorized the implementation of the Alameda County CARES Grant Program on November 10, 2020. The Alameda County CARES Grant Program is...
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