Eligibility Criteria

Who may be eligible for the Small Business COVID Recovery Program?

Applicants must meet a minimum of the following criteria to be eligible to apply for a MAP forgivable loan.  Please Note: Additional criteria will be evaluated during the Phases 1 and 2 application process as well as during loan underwriting process.

• Be a legally operating for-profit microenterprise that is operated out of a commercial space or home located in the unincorporated area of Placer County.
• Be in operation and generating Revenue since January 1, 2019.
• Be able to demonstrate one of the following:
  • A minimum of a 15 % decline in Gross Revenue the same 4-month period from 2020 and 2019. 
  • A minimum of a 15 % decline in Gross Revenue between 2019 and 2020.
  • A minimum of a 15 % decline in Gross Revenue the same 4-month period from 2021 and 2019. 
  • A minimum of a 15 % decline in Gross Revenue between 2019 and 2021.
• Be a for-profit microenterprise (i.e., a business with 5 or fewer employees) that meets the following criteria:
  • The owner(s) are one or more of the 5 employees and are actively involved in the operation of the business
  • The owner(s) qualify as Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) individuals according to the following table.

   * If your household has over 8 people, please contact 

• Be able to demonstrate that the microenterprise has suffered from and/or continues to suffer from COVID-19 pandemic impacts that have not be covered by other COVID funding sources, insurance payments, unemployment insurance payments, etc.  NOTE: Forgivable loan funds cannot be used to cover lost revenue.
• Be able to demonstrate that any forgivable loan funds will be used to prepare for, prevents or responds to the impacts of the current (or a future) COVID pandemic in accordance with HUD and CA Department of Housing and Community Development guidelines.
• Be able to provide business Federal Tax Returns including all Schedules and Attachments for 2019, 2020 and 2021 (businesses filing a Schedule C will provide complete personal Federal Tax Returns including all Schedules and Attachments).
• Not be involved in the distribution, sale or use of products or services considered illegal under Federal law or be involved in a business activity prohibited by CDBG regulations (e.g., private golf club).
• Have all required local, state, and federal licenses and permits. If an applicant does not have proper permits, licenses, leases, or insurance at the time of application, then these items can be made a condition of funding the loan. 
• Be operating out of a location with zoning that allows for current and proposed business activities.

The amount of funding and the threshold Gross Revenues may be adjusted as market conditions warrant after each funding round.  The actual amount provided to each applicant will depend on the need as determined during the underwriting process.