Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
Some of the businesses most affected by the pandemic - small restaurants, breweries and wineries - have begun receiving $10,000 aid checks from San Mateo County, which are intended to support local micro-entrepreneurs and stimulate the economy.
The county said the grants are part of an ambitious effort by San Mateo's Strong Fund.
The Fund was established weeks after the first "stay-at-home" order in March 2020 and has since raised relief funds for local small business owners, child care providers, nonprofits and others affected by COVID-19.
The Restaurant, Brewery and Distillery Assistance Program was initially developed in December 2020 as a result of a $1 million commitment by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to help small restaurants in South San Mateo and Palo Alto County.
That effort, led the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, the San Mateo Credit Union Community Fund and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation to add $1.384 million in funding in January 2021 to expand the program throughout San Mateo County.
"This grant program is another example of San Mateo and the 20 cities and towns within the county prioritizing collaboration and working together, especially over the past 13 months to save as many small businesses as possible from the devastating economic impacts of the pandemic," said Board of Supervisors Chairman David Canepa.
The official added that every restaurant, brewery and distillery that survives the pandemic is a testament to the perseverance and skills of the owners and employees, who are often women, people of color, families and immigrants.
Through a release, the county detailed that the cities' aid funds go directly to facilities within those cities, while a portion of the Board of Supervisors' funds go to facilities within the unincorporated areas of the county.
However, he pointed out that even with the recent fundraising success approaching $4 million, only 400 of the more than 600 likely eligible applications will be able to receive the $10,000 grant.
For a complete listing of those businesses that were approved for the grant, you can access the website https://bos.smcgov.org/covid-19-emergency-proclamations-regulations-ordinances -and-aid-efforts-approved-approved-with-san-mateo-county.
