San Bernardino American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant Program
Façade Improvement “Paintbrush Program”
The application window for this program begins August 5, 2024 at 9am.
The City will disburse grants until all funds are depleted.
Program Background:
As part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) initiative, the City of San Bernardino has partnered with the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to offer the Small Business Consulting & Grant Program.
The Consulting & Grant Program will provide 1:1 consulting and funding to small businesses needing financial assistance to complete façade improvements while overcoming the loss of revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All eligible businesses are invited to apply. Businesses which have previously received alternative sources of funding such as the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan, State, or County of San Bernardino grants are eligible to apply. Businesses that received funding in the City’s first and second round of the Small Business & Non-Profit Grant Program are not eligible for funding.
The program is based on the availability of funds, program guidelines and submission of all required information and supporting documentation. Small businesses, with a maximum of five hundred (500) employees (full and part-time) may be eligible to receive a working capital grant after attending a mandatory one-on-one consulting session.
The purpose of this Grant Program is to enhance economic opportunities within the small business community and to encourage additional investment in the City’s commercial corridors. The Program will help create a pedestrian-friendly, aesthetically pleasing environment for residents, visitors, and tourists, and may also create substantial economic benefits for merchants and property owners as a result of increased interest and activity.
The goals of the program are to:
- Facilitate Commercial Revitalization
- Stimulate Private Investment and Customer Patronage
- Generate Shopping Opportunities and create a pleasant walking environment by improving the visual aesthetics of commercial building façades.
Program Guidelines will be posted soon.