Snow Information

Mountain Small Business Grant Program
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About the Program

The purpose of this program is to provide direct financial assistance to San Bernardino County small businesses and non-profits that were impacted by the winter storm events that began February 27, 2023.
There are two grant amounts available to eligible small businesses and non-profits located in unincorporated mountain areas:
  • 50 or fewer full-time employees are eligible for a one-time $3,000 grant.
  • More than 50 but fewer than 500 full-time employees are eligible for a one-time $15,000 grant.
Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for financial assistance through the Mountain Small Business Grant Program, businesses and non-profits must meet the following eligibility criteria:
  1. Been in operation on or before February 27, 2023.
  2. Meet the full-time employee requirement for the specific grant award:
    • Businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees
    • Businesses with a workforce greater than 50 but fewer than 500 employees
  3. Occupy a brick-and-mortar location in the San Bernardino Mountains that is used by employees and/or customers.
  4. Not a home-based business or a Short-Term Rental (STR) property unless the STR owner utilizes an off-site business location within the impacted storm area (Licensed childcare facilities are eligible).
  5. Located in an unincorporated mountain area within San Bernardino County where the extreme weather event and snowfall impacted operations to a degree that customer and/or employee access was limited.
  6. Cannot be engaged in illegal activities, including gambling.
  7. Operates in full compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations and laws.
The following definitions apply to the Mountain Small Business Grant Program:
*Small business is defined as a privately owned corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship that has fewer than 500 employees.
*Non-profit organization is defined as any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization, not including an institution of higher education, that:
  • Is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purposes in the public interest;
  • Is not organized primarily for profit; and
  • Uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the operations of the organization.

How to Apply

To apply, please complete the form below and attach the following documents:
  1. IRS Form W-9.
  2. Most recent (2021 or 2022) IRS business tax return filing:
    • Sole Proprietorships: 1040 or 1040-SR
    • Partnerships: 1065, 965-A, 1040, or 1040-SR
    • Corporations: 1120
    • S Corporations: 1120-S
    • Non-profits: IRS Affirmation Letter
  3. Most recent Payroll Statement indicating number of employees:
    • Sole proprietorships and non-profits can resubmit tax return or IRS Affirmation Letter indicating tax-exempt status, respectively.
  4. Photo of the business storefront or physical location.
For question regarding the application process, please send an email to ARPAadminteam@cao.sbcounty.gov
If you believe you qualify, please enter the following information:
    Small Business is defined as follows:
  • Has fewer than 500 employees
    Non-profit organization means any corporation,trust, association, cooperative, or other organization, not including Institution of Higher education, that:
  • Is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar in public interest
  • Is not organized primarily for profit
  • Uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the operations of the organization
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4 Files required
Please certify that all required documents are attached for this applicationRequired *
I certify under penalty of perjury that all information provided is true and correct and that: (1) my business was in operation on and prior to February 27, 2023; (2) met the full-time employee requirements as specified in this website; (3) has a brick and mortar location in the San Bernardino Mountains that is used by employees and/or customers; (4) is not a home-based business; (5) is located in an unincorporated area in San Bernardino County where beginning February 27, 2023 the extreme weather event and snowfall impacted operations, resulting in closure of the business and closure of the roads to access the business; and (6) is operating in full compliance with all local, state and federal regulations and laws. Required *

Please verify your application was successfully submitted by confirming receipt of a verification email at the address you provided.

Program FAQs
  1. How do I know if my application was successfully submitted?
    2. a. Applicants will receive a confirmation email at the address they provide on the form indicating their application was successfully submitted.
  2. Can I call ATC to check on the status of my application?
    3. a. ATC does not have information regarding the status of applications. Unless you’ve been contacted by the County and notified that your application lacked sufficient documentation, your application will be processed in the order in which it was received, and you will receive notification if it was approved or denied.
  3. How can I check the status of my application?
    4. a. Applications are processed in the order in which they are received. The County will make every attempt possible to process your application and send payment within 30-60 days of submission. Please make sure to monitor your email account in the event additional documentation is requested. Failure to provide required documentation or accurate information in the application may prolong processing times or prevent payment processing altogether.
  4. When can I expect my check?
    5. a. Approved application payments shall be received within 30-60 days of successful submission of the online application. However, if incorrect information or insufficient documentation is submitted, the processing time could take longer or prevent payment processing altogether.
  5. Can I submit a paper application?
    6. a. Paper applications are available upon request, but they will increase the normal processing time because they won’t be entered into the processing queue until the county receives the application. You may request a paper application by sending an email to ARPAadminteam@cao.sbcounty.gov.
  6. What can I do if I repeatedly submit my application but do not receive a confirmation email?
    7. a. If an applicant doesn’t receive a confirmation email after multiple submissions, please email ARPAadminteam@cao.sbcounty.gov to request assistance.
  7. Is there a physical site where I can complete the application in-person?
    8. a. The County doesn’t operate in-person locations to complete this application.
  8. Can I apply for multiple businesses?
    9. a. If an individual owns two or more businesses that meet the eligibility requirements, an application may be submitted for each business. However, if an eligible business has more than one physical location, only one application may be submitted.
  9. Is an independently owned and operated franchise for a national chain like McDonald’s eligible?
    10. a. Independently owned and operated franchises are eligible provided they meet all of the eligibility requirements.
  10. Are short-term rental/vacation rental property owners eligible?
    11. a. Short-term rental/vacation rental businesses are eligible if they utilize a separate brick and mortar office location that isn’t a short-term rental property.
  11. I drive for Uber/Lyft/DoorDash and would like to submit and application. Am I eligible?
    12. a. No. The program is designed to assist business owners who have a brick and mortar business like an office or retail store.
  12. Are cannabis-related businesses eligible?
    13. a. Because cannabis cultivation and retail are illegal in unincorporated San Bernardino County, cannabis-related businesses are ineligible for this program. Moreover, the use of federal funding for this program prohibits grant awards for cannabis-related activities.
  13. Are home-based businesses eligible?
    14. a. With the exception of licensed childcare facilities, home-based businesses are ineligible.
  14. Are public agencies eligible for this grant?
    15. a. Public agencies, including special districts and school districts, are ineligible.
  15. Are private schools eligible?
    16. a. Private schools are eligible provided they meet eligibility criteria.
  16. How long will the County accept applications for this program?
    17. a. The Board of Supervisors approved the use of $1 million for this program. The application period will remain open until funding is exhausted.
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