As of Sept. 1, some small businesses hit hard by the pandemic can receive financial relief through new grants from Fresno County. Fresno County approved $250,000 in grants for minority and women-owned businesses. The money comes from the CARES Act.
Dora Westerlund is president of the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation. She's spearheading the initiative and said some businesses have already reached out for help.
“For example, we have a lady who owns her beauty salon and she hasn’t been able to open,” Westerlund said. “We have the [owner of] Los Amigos Mexican restaurant; he’s been struggling. Plus somebody broke into the restaurant.”
The grants provide up to $5,000 and can be used to pay employees or just keep the business running. Still, businesses must meet county guidelines, Westerlund said.
“You have to be a for-profit business located in Fresno County, except the city of Fresno, and have 10 or less employees, have been operating for three years prior to March 15th and have been impacted by COVID,” she said.
The city of Fresno offers similar small business grants for $5,000 or more. For more information visit fresnoahf.org.
