Camarillo, California – The City of Camarillo is moving forward with plans to provide $1,000,000 to the City’s Business Recovery Grant Program for COVID-19 Economic Recovery and is seeking donors for a dollar-for-dollar match up to an additional $250,000.
Grants to eligible businesses will be distributed in quantities of $5,000, accommodating up to 200 Camarillo businesses. A dollar-for-dollar match, whereby the City will match donor sponsorships, has the potential to provide assistance to an additional 50 Camarillo businesses. Interested donors are encouraged to contact Georg Winkler, the City’s Economic Development Coordinator at [email protected], as soon as possible.
The grant program will be administered by the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF), who has generously agreed to manage the City’s Business Recovery Grant Program (City Program) in coordination with Ventura County’s Economic Stabilization and Recovery Program (County Program) in response to the COVID-19 health emergency. The City Program is intended to provide assistance to Camarillo businesses who do not receive funding from Ventura County’s lottery selection system.
The funding source for the City Program is the City’s Economic Development Reserve Fund, which currently has a balance of $8.38 million. The intent of the City Program is to financially aid businesses who are impacted by COVID-19 and would benefit from technology updates, acquisition of personal protective equipment and social distancing signage, modifications to buildings to support new social distancing requirements, and assistance with fixed-expenses.
“This grant program is a high priority need for the Camarillo business community,” explained Georg Winkler, Camarillo’s Economic Development Coordinator. “A $5,000 grant will have a tremendous impact in supporting Camarillo businesses in need, providing financial assistance, quickly, to viable businesses in need of short-term assistance and without other means available for financial help.”
The City Council directed staff to proceed with the development of a grant program at the City Council meeting on June 10, 2020. The City Council will consider an agreement with the Ventura County Community Foundation to administer the grant program at their June 24th meeting.
Another political tactic by the Camarillo City Council to buy votes. Enough said!