Twenty-four local businesses receive Business Assistance Grants from the City of Arroyo Grande

ARROYO GRANDE — Twenty-four local businesses in Arroyo Grande are receiving Business Assistance Grants from the City of Arroyo Grande to help meet immediate funding needs due to COVID-19 impacts and retain employees to assist in the recovery of the local economy and commerce. This is the second round of grants from the city, and these grants range from $1,000 to $7,500. The total amount allocated is $110,000.

The Arroyo Grande businesses included in this round of grants include CYB Studios LLC; Central Coast Tacos; Jazo Family Child Care; Poke Morro; Eternity Telecommunications; 9Round Kickbox Fitness; Sunshine & Reign Photography; Sports Dugout Arroyo Grande; Coast Cities Insurance Solutions; Nail Spa & Depot; Cafe Andreini; Heidi Lee Acupuncture; AccuBooks Tax; Breakaway Tours & Event Planning; Timbre Tasting Room; Ritual Skin and Body Care; Verdad & Lindquist Family Wine Tasting Room; Garing, Taylor, and Associates; Hair Saloon; Village Bike Shop; Humdinger Brewing; The Green Room; Kestly Corporate Apparel; and Elaina Weiss, LCSW.

The funds for this program have been allocated by the City from Senate Bill 1090. Allowed use of the funds includes rent, payroll, personal protective equipment, costs associated with implementing new cleaning or operational protocols, and costs associated with website development, online sales software and other business technology that supports “COVID-19 resiliency” for Arroyo Grande businesses.

"The City recognizes the importance of economic recovery for our community and workforce as the local businesses begin to reopen,” said Whitney McDonald, Arroyo Grande City Manager.

The review panel of City and Chamber representatives determined that the 24 businesses met all the required criteria and that the grants could assist in retaining business and jobs in the community. Each business is required to send a summary report of how these funds were utilized and the outcomes to the City by August 31, 2021.

The Arroyo Grande City Council also set aside $40,000 for training scholarships for SLO Partner Bootcamps. The bootcamps are designed for Arroyo Grande employees or residents. SLO Partners is an initiative of the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education, that strategically curates’ relationships between business partners and the community with relevant, turn-key career pathways that strengthen the local economy. They do this by providing accelerated training opportunities, called bootcamps, to local residents so that they have the skills and knowledge necessary for success. In turn, businesses have the skilled workers required for sound, growing teams. Bootcamps have included training for precision manufacturing, software development, digital marketing, women who code, IT networking, and other apprenticeship programs. Click here for more information about SLO Partners bootcamps.

Please contact South County Chambers of Commerce at info@southcountychambers.com, or call (805) 489-1488 with any questions.