Progress has been made on the four primary milestones under this initiative, with highlights below:
- Sustained business technical assistance through SBC contract. During the first quarter SBC provided free one-on-one technical assistance to 116 unique businesses wit 326 hours of advisory services. SBC hosted 18 individual workshops, serving 136 participants and launched another Business Igniter workshop series with Sierra Commons.
- Identified capital opportunities for Nevada County businesses, including successfully distributing $107,500 to 43 very small businesses and entrepreneurs through the California Microbusiness Covid-19 Relief Grant. Awarded an additional $140,000 in Community Resiliency Grant Funds to entities providing support to small businesses. We continue to share grant opportunities on a regular basis with small businesses, including nonprofits.
- Drafted framework for potential funding and operational options to establish the ARPA funded revolving loan fund for Nevada County small businesses.
- Sustained the Nevada County Relief fund (current balance maintained in this quarter), to be leveraged for future needs.