City of Indio to launch program granting up to $10K for struggling businesses

INDIO, Calif. - The City of Indio is lending a hand to some of its business owners who are finding themselves in a tough spot. Nearly one year ago Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide shelter-in-place order. Throughout the state, businesses shut their doors and people stayed at home while many waited to learn more about the novel virus. Months later businesses are still feeling the economic impacts following a series of restrictions issued by the state as it grappled to control the spread of the virus.

On Friday the City of Indio announced it would offer grants up to$10,000 to Indio businesses "in an effort to provide emergency cash flow to those struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic." Applications are slated to open on March 5 and will close March 15.

The city set aside a total of $645,000 in general funds for the Small Business Emergency Assistance Program. Businesses that are independently owned and operated in Indio with "with physical storefront [locations] will be eligible." The city is also providing assistance to some in-home childcare providers, with grants up to $5,000.

"Im really glad to hear that the city in general is helping the community. It was a big issue in the beginning of the start. Not a lot of businesses had support and a lot of them closed down," said Indio Florist assistant manager, Jennifer Avila.

Some small businesses in downtown Indio still stand, while others weren't so lucky.

"Production wise we did have to cut down a lot because not as many people were coming in, other than that we didn’t have all that many setbacks," said Jeanette Ayala of Casillas Bakery.

The family-owned bakery is a local staple, having been in business for nearly 30 years. But even with such an impressive track record, Jeanette Ayala and her family weren't spared when it came to getting hit by the hardships of the pandemic.

"It was a scary time, we didn’t know how things were going to pan out. Everything was slowing down," said Ayala.

A few blocks away, the uncertainty at the start of the pandemic also took its toll at the Indio Florist.

"It was a rocky start but we got the hang of it very fast," said Avila.

Several months in, both businesses have taken advantage of a program the city launched to distribute personal protective equipment.

The application for most recent grant, announced last Friday, will become available March 1.

"Eligible storefront businesses with a physical location in Indio are eligible for grants of up to 10 thousand dollars and in-home daycare providers, also independently operated are eligible for grants of up to 5000 dollars," said Indio's Director of Communications and Marketing, Brooke Beare.

The grants will be first come, first served.

"There’s a finite amount of funding that’s available, $645,000 dollars. It sounds like a lot but when you’re talking about over 16,000 registered businesses in the City of Indio and people really struggling to keep those businesses open right now, that money will likely go quickly," said Beare.

To qualify, businesses have to be independently owned and operated, and show they've been impacted by the pandemic in some way.

"Some of these businesses may need lifesaving surgery, this is at least the medicine we hope will get them over the finish line," said Beare

For a list of the criteria in order to be eligible, potential applicants can find that information here: https://www.indio.org/your_government/ed/business_assistance_grants.htm

"They should be getting money within 30 days of that application period," said Beare.