Business Grant Programs

The City of Chino Hills has received Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) funds under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  The City of Chino Hills has allocated these funds toward grant programs for businesses negatively affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Businesses can qualify either by (1) being a low-income business owner (Microenterprise Grant Program) or (2) pledging to retain at least one full-time low-income employee for a period of at least two years (Small Business Grant Program).

If initial eligibility is determined, you will be contacted to verify eligibility (i.e., submit verification documents). Funding will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the completeness of the application package. This includes the submittal of verification documents.

APPLICATIONS ARE NO LONGER BEING ACCEPTED. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES. 


Program Guidelines


MICROENTERPRISESMALL BUSINESS
Overview:

Business must employ 5 or fewer employees, including the business owner, and be owned by a person with a low to moderate-income.  


Business must employ 35 or less employees, including the business owner. Businesses must currently employ and retain at least one low-and moderate-income (LMI) person.  In the case of staff turnover, the identified position must be filled by a LMI person and demonstrate that without grant assistance the job would be lost.

Funding:$5,000 grants
$5,000 - $10,000 grants based on the number of employees retained.
Eligible Uses of Grant Funds:Grant funds can be used for working capital (i.e. rent, payroll, utilities, inventory, etc..)
Grants can be used for rent or payroll.

Contact Us

  1. Community Services

    Email Community Services

    Physical Address
    14000 City Center Drive
    Chino Hills, CA 91709

    Phone: 909-364-2710
    Fax: 909-364-2725

    Directory

  1. How long will it take to be approved?
  2. What if I already applied for other Federal, State, or County assistance programs (i.e. SBA Economic Injury and Disaster Loans (EIDL) or Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)? Can I still apply?
  3. What documents will I be required to submit?
  4. If I had 12 employees before COVID-19, but had to reduce my work force and now only have five employees, do I still qualify?
  5. My spouse also works in the business, are we counted as one or two separate employees?
  6. Does 5 employees mean 5 bodies or full-time equivalents (FTE’s)?

Eligibility Requirements

  • Business must be physically located within the city limits of the City of Chino Hills
  • Business must have a current business license from the City of Chino Hills
  • Business must be in good standing with the City of Chino Hills (i.e. no open code violations)
  • Business must employ less than 35 employees, including the owner(s)
  • Business must have been opened since January 1, 2020, the City may consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis if all other requirements are met
  • Business must currently employ and retain at least one low- and moderate-income (LMI) person. In the case of staff turnover, the identified position must be filled by LMI person and demonstrate that without grant assistance the job would be lost
  • Business must be able to demonstrate an economic loss in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic; at least a 25% decrease in sales for the same period in the preceding calendar year
  • Businesses with more than one physical location may apply for the grant program for one location only

The Income Table below shows the maximum gross annual income per household size:

Maximum Gross Income Per Household Size



Household Size12345678
Gross Annual Income$44,250$50,600$56,900$63,200$68,300$73,350$78,400$83,450


Job Retention/Creation

The goal of the Small Business Grant is to assist owners in operations during the global pandemic, as well as to create economic opportunities by creating and retaining jobs held by low- or moderate-income individuals within the City of Chino Hills.   Job retention is defined as total full-time equivalent position retains at 30 hours per week, or any combination of part-time positions combining for 30 hours per week, including owners. 

As part of the application, all businesses must estimate the number of jobs that will be created or retained as a result of the Small Business Grant. Grant agreements will include an estimate of the number of jobs expected to be created or retained for each business. During the grant agreement period, businesses will be required to report on all jobs created or retained as a result of this program.   Recipients of this grant must be able to demonstrate that they have retained, rehired, or created at least one job. 

 In order to meet this requirement, businesses must be able to demonstrate that the created or retained job is held by a low- or moderate-income (LMI) individual OR the position is expected to turn over within the next two years and the business will take steps to ensure that the position is filled by or made available to a low- or moderate-income individual. 

How To Apply

Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back for updates.

An Eligibility Application must be completed and submitted in the following ways:  

  • Email to communityservices@chinohills.org with Business Grant Program in the subject line
  • Mail to City of Chino Hills, Community Services Department, Business Grant Program, 14000 City Center Dr., Chino Hills, CA 91709
  • Submit in person at the Community Services counter located on the second floor of City Hall, 14000 City Center Dr., Chino Hills, during normal business hours of Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.   If you need assistance completing the application, you may call (909) 364-2717 to set up an appointment.