The City of Martinez has launched a COVID-19 Small Business Relief Micro-Grant Program for certain storefront small businesses with 25 employees or less as part of our continuing efforts to support our small businesses. The program will provide reimbursement grants, potentially up to $5,000 per business, for eligible COVID-19 related expenses, including certain expenses already incurred retroactive to the beginning of the pandemic. If awarded, the grant is not required to be paid back by the business, nor does it require a matching contribution.

The COVID-19 Small Business Relief Micro-Grant Program is created to help maintain the economic vitality of our community and the quality of life that our storefront businesses provide for our residents.

The City of Martinez MicroGrant application period closed on February 22, 2021 and new MicroGrant applications will not be accepted. Existing MicroGrant applicants may use this link to upload additional documents.

For application assistance, please contact MicroGrant@cityofmartinez.org.

* = Required Fields

• Experienced year-over-year loss of at least 15% in sales revenue due to COVID-19 shutdowns and business activity restrictions during the March 16, 2020 – January 31, 2021 time period (as compared to March 16, 2019 – January 31, 2020).
  
  
• 25 or fewer employees (excluding independently owned restaurants).
  
  
• Must have a physical storefront or personal services commercial space located within the City of Martinez where food, retail goods, and/or services are provided or sold.
  
  
• Business must have been in operation as of March 16, 2020 (date of first County Shelter in Place Order).
  
  
• Currently open to the public.
  
  
• Independently owned (not an independent contractor).
  
  
• Cannot be a publicly traded business, unless franchised.
  
  
• Franchise owners (excluding any drive-through and primarily delivery-based fast food franchised establishments) are eligible.
  
  
• Businesses may not have more than five locations in the Bay Area (defined as the counties of Contra Costa, Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin, Solano, Sonoma, and Napa). 
  
  
• Business owners who own more than one eligible business will only be eligible to receive one City Micro-Grant for one business if the program is oversubscribed in Phase I. If the program is not oversubscribed, then multiple eligible businesses applications from the same business owner may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  
  
• Home-based businesses and non-profits are ineligible under this program.
  
  
• Good standing with the City of Martinez and Contra Costa County.
  
  
• Proof of commercial garbage service for businesses located in Downtown or the waterfront/marina (defined as North of and including Ward Street, and West of and including Court Street)
  
  
• No open code enforcement or County Health COVID-19 Health Order violations related to the business.

Ineligible:

• Services such as legal, financial, medical, real estate are considered professional office (not personal service) and are ineligible.
  
  
• Liquor stores, grocery stores, convenience stores, smoke/tobacco/vaping-related shops, cannabis, and auto-related businesses. Additional business types may be ineligible.

Final determinations about whether individual businesses fall under the category of an eligible or ineligible business will be made by the City Manager. If you would like to inquire about the eligibility of your businesses, contact MicroGrant@cityofmartinez.org.