GROVER BEACH, CA – The City of Grover Beach is continuing its efforts to support the business community in the city impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic while taking steps to continue building a stronger and more diversified economy. These efforts include offering additional microgrants to local businesses hard hit by COVID-19 and taking a series of actions that will help create and maintain a business-friendly environment that will provide further opportunities for economic development.
"We are thrilled to be able to again offer our local business community support through our microgrant program,” said Grover Beach Mayor Jeff Lee. “Our local businesses are an integral part of the Grover Beach community’s economic and overall well-being.” Similar to the initial round of grants in June, the second round of the business assistance microgrants is being rolled out in partnership with the South County Chambers of Commerce (Chamber). Local Grover Beach businesses will be eligible to receive up to $5,000 in one-time financial assistance that can be put toward paying salaries, commercial rent, buying personal protective gear and any other modifications required to make the business compliant with COVID-19 guidelines. Applications can be submitted online beginning September 1 through September 18 at with funding decisions made by the end of September. These additional microgrants are funded by $125,000 in CARES Act funds that the City has received. 
The online application lists the business eligibility and requirements which include submission of the County’s completed self-certification form to verify safe reopening consistent with public health guidelines.
Recognizing the significant challenges that Grover Beach businesses are facing, the City has also been working with local businesses to assist many of them with their transition to outdoor business operations. This has included expedited permitting processes for temporary permits for using outdoor spaces such as parking lots and spaces and sidewalks and matching grants for the construction of permanent patio spaces where applicable. To date, 20 Grover Beach businesses have taken advantage of this flexible commercial use of public and private outdoor spaces including restaurants, cafes, and personal care services.
While supporting current local businesses is crucial, the City also recognizes the need to continue pushing forward with long-term economic development opportunities. For example, the City Council recently approved a development at 1598 El Camino Real that will bring two new hotels with 176 rooms to serve the Grover Beach community and its visitors. The hotel projects will also generate additional local revenues and provide design and construction jobs, as well as a variety of hotel industry and service-related jobs once built.
Lastly, the City Council has enabled the City to be further connected to the global economy by approval of a Fiber Optic Cable Easement Agreement with RTI Infrastructure, Inc. for installation of telecommunications cables in the City’s rights-of-way. The installation of up to four fiber optic cables will carry telecommunications data between the United States via Grover Beach and several Asian Pacific destinations including Singapore, Guam, Hong Kong and Australia. The telecommunications data would be connected into the broader telecommunications network with onward connectivity to major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles and the Bay Area. The City of Grover Beach will also benefit financially through an easement agreement that provides revenue for 
accessing City rights-of-way.
“We continue to appreciate the City of Grover Beach’s focus on facilitating economic development for the Grover Beach community,” said Jocelyn Brennan, South County Chambers of Commerce President/Chief Executive Officer. “The Chamber supports these efforts to help Grover Beach businesses and build an even stronger and diversified economy that retains and adds jobs to our community.”
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