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.
Purposes are open on a rolling foundation and can stay out there till all funding is exhausted. Awards might be issued as funds turn out to be accessible, and candidates might be notified if further data is required throughout the evaluate course of.
The Metropolis states {that a} minimal of fifty% of grant awards might be reserved for companies owned by an individual of shade 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 incidence. Nevertheless, 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 non-public for-profit or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, presently open or quickly closed resulting from property injury. Candidates should present proof of vandalism and different required documentation, together with a photograph ID, W-9, and enterprise license.
Extra eligibility necessities embody:
- Independently owned and never publicly traded
- Fewer than 200 workers
- Lower than $2 million in annual gross income
- Energetic standing with the California Secretary of State (aside from sole proprietors)
- A bodily storefront in Lengthy Seaside
- Legitimate EIN, FEIN, or SSN
Residence-based companies, completely closed companies, and those who have already obtained related grant funding for a similar incident should not eligible. Different ineligible candidates embody 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 help restoration and revitalization efforts for small companies negatively affected by property crime.
For help with the appliance, enterprise homeowners can contact the BizCare Hotline at 562-570-4249 or e mail 4Biz@longbeach.gov. Technical assist is offered by calling 1-855-582-3973 or emailing help@forwardplatform.zendesk.com. The applying can be accessible by way of the FORWARD platform.
Candidates will obtain an e 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.
Extra help is offered in a number of languages, though the appliance itself have to be accomplished in English. Tutorial movies and additional details about required paperwork and eligibility can be found by the appliance portal.