The Metropolis of Lengthy Seaside is now accepting purposes for its Visible Enchancment Program (VIP) Grant, a monetary help initiative providing as much as $1,500 to small companies and nonprofits impacted by crime or vandalism occurring on or after October 1, 2022. The grant goals to assist cowl the price of storefront repairs, boarding, insurance coverage deductibles, and working bills.
Functions are open on a rolling foundation and can stay accessible till all funding is exhausted. Awards shall be issued as funds turn into accessible, and candidates shall be notified if extra info is required in the course of the evaluation course of.
The Metropolis states {that a} minimal of fifty% of grant awards shall be reserved for companies owned by an individual of coloration or situated in low- to moderate-income areas. Outreach efforts are targeted in these areas to make sure equitable distribution of funding in alignment with the Lengthy Seaside Restoration Act.
Eligible companies might submit one utility per distinctive incident of vandalism and will obtain as much as $1,500 for every prevalence. Nonetheless, just one award could also be issued per enterprise in a six-month interval.
To qualify, companies have to be working inside the Lengthy Seaside metropolis limits and have a legitimate Metropolis of Lengthy Seaside enterprise license. The enterprise have to be a personal for-profit or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, at present open or quickly closed attributable to property injury. Candidates should present proof of vandalism and different required documentation, together with a photograph ID, W-9, and enterprise license.
Further eligibility necessities embrace:
- Independently owned and never publicly traded
- Fewer than 200 staff
- Lower than $2 million in annual gross income
- Lively standing with the California Secretary of State (aside from sole proprietors)
- A bodily storefront in Lengthy Seaside
- Legitimate EIN, FEIN, or SSN
Dwelling-based companies, completely closed companies, and those who have already obtained related grant funding for a similar incident usually are not eligible. Different ineligible candidates embrace authorities entities, landlords, monetary establishments, and companies engaged in unlawful or predatory actions.
The grant is a part of Lengthy Seaside’s broader effort to assist restoration and revitalization efforts for small companies negatively affected by property crime.
For help with the applying, enterprise homeowners can contact the BizCare Hotline at 562-570-4249 or electronic mail 4Biz@longbeach.gov. Technical assist is out there by calling 1-855-582-3973 or emailing assist@forwardplatform.zendesk.com. The applying can be accessible through the FORWARD platform.
Candidates will obtain an electronic mail affirmation upon profitable submission of their utility. Whereas submissions can’t be edited after they’re submitted, candidates needing to make corrections can contact visualimprovementprogram-support@livestories.zendesk.com.
Further assist is out there in a number of languages, though the applying itself have to be accomplished in English. Tutorial movies and additional details about required paperwork and eligibility can be found by the applying portal.
