COVID-19 Business Resources

Restaurants in Mission Viejo

Please be advised that many restaurants in Mission Viejo are still open for take-out and /or delivery. Please see the City's news page "Many Mission Viejo restaurants still open for business" for more information.

Outdoor Dining Mission Viejo

For more information on providing services and dining outdoors and their guidelines in the City of Mission Viejo please contact cd@cityofmissionviejo.org.

Mission Viejo Grants

January 5, 2021

Mission Viejo Community Development Block Grant Business Relief Grant

Financial Assistance

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act legislation passed to aid small businesses during the pandemic and economic downturn. The program will provide much-needed relief to millions of small businesses, so they can sustain their businesses and keep their workers employed.

For more information visit the U.S. Department of Treasury Website.

New March 2021: Restaurant Revitalization Fund Application

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) this week announced key details on application requirements, eligibility and a program guide for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RFF). The restaurant industry has been among the hardest-hit sectors during the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

To help bring jobs back and revive the industry, the American Rescue Plan, signed into law by President Joe Biden, established the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund at the SBA. The SBA will administer the funds to the hardest-hit small restaurants.

Details on application requirements, eligibility and a program guide are now available in English at www.sba.gov/restaurants or in Spanish at www.sba.gov/restaurantes.

The SBA Orange County / Inland Empire District Office will host an informational webinar on Wednesday, April 28 from 11 am to noon PDT.

New February 1: 5th District Small Business Grant Relief Program

Update: March 5, 2021 - Grant program is closed.

The County’s Small Business Grant Relief Program will support small businesses and organizations within the 5th Supervisorial District (including Mission Viejo) impacted by COVID-19 by providing $10,000 (flat rate, single payment) awards. The application period opens at 9 am on February 1.

Awards will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. Awardees will be reimbursed for expenses incurred from March 2020 to present (as long as other relief funds were not received for the same expense). For more information on the Orange County 5th district visit their website.

Orange County Restaurant Outdoor Dining Grant Program

In response to Orange County moving back to the most restrictive tier, the County is launching the OC Restaurant Outdoor Dining Grant Program to support local restaurants providing outdoor dining as required by the State’s COVID-19 purple tier guidelines.

The OC Restaurant Outdoor Dining Grant Program will award $1,000 grants to 1,000 eligible restaurants through CARES Act federal funding. These much-needed dollars are meant to help alleviate financial hardships local restaurants are facing due to additional restrictions.

Awardees must use the funding solely to purchase outdoor heaters/warmers, lighting or canopies and tents to provide for outdoor dining. Restaurants are required to submit an application on the Orange County’s website to be considered for the grant funding. Eligible applications will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis, and incomplete applications will be automatically disqualified.

Due to the overwhelming response of previous County business grant programs, restaurants are strongly encouraged to review the program criteria and gather required documentation in advance.

Applications open at 9 am on Friday, November 20. Application Period has closed as of December 4, 2020.

SafeDineOC Restaurant Program

As part of the SafeDineOC Restaurant Program, the Orange County Board of Supervisors allocated $10 million in Federal CARES Act funding to support local restaurants in safely reopening.

The program allowed for $1,000 in reimbursements for CARES Act-qualified purchases, such as masks, gloves, and other personal protective equipment (PPE), site reconfiguration, employee training, cleaning supplies, etc.

The application period for the grant program has closed. For more information or to receive answers to questions about the program please contact us at SafeDineOC@ocbc.org.

Free Floor Plan Software to Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

The County and 3D Event Designer launched an outdoor edition of its Back2Business Initiative program to help local small businesses impacted by COVID-19 safely reopen by meeting local, state and federal social distancing guidelines.

The Back2Business Initiative: Outdoor Edition will provide up to 800 OC small businesses with access to free floor plan software to quickly create, configure or update their indoor and now outdoor space(s). This software allows businesses like restaurants and retail shops to view their current layouts and adjust their floor plans to meet the latest social-distancing requirements. With outdoor space being a focus for most restaurants, this software will allow restaurant owners to maximize the availability of their outdoor seating, giving them the confidence to open to customers and bring their employees back to work safely and responsibly.

Back2Business Initiative: Outdoor Edition is free and available to eligible businesses on a first-come, first-served basis through December 30 or when the maximum number of slots are filled.

Eligible businesses interested in participating can sign up and access the software at 3D Event Designer. Certain technology requirements and criteria apply. For more information call the Economic and Business Recovery Call Center at 714-480-6500.

Orange County - OCWDB COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Support Program

In partnership with the Orange County Workforce Development Board (OCWDB), the County of Orange launched the second round of funding for the OCWDB COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Support Program.

Through the OCWDB COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Support Program, eligible businesses could receive $10,000 in grant funds. This funding was intended to help local small businesses mitigate layoffs and adhere to “social distancing” provisions established by state and federal public health entities. The program awarded $700,000 in Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds to local businesses.

For more information please visit the Orange County Workforce Solutions website at ocworkforcesolutions.com.

For more information on Orange County Workforce Solutions, visit ocworkforcesolutions.com or call the Economic and Business Recovery Call Center at 714-480-6500. Additionally, for information on other Orange County small business funding visit their webpage Grant Relief Programs.

Orange County Small Business Grant Relief Program

The County of Orange initiated a Small Business Grant Relief Program to support small businesses and organizations impacted by COVID-19 in Orange County Supervisorial District Five. The $10,000 grants were made available to eligible small businesses and non-profits within the district, which included Mission Viejo.

The business applicants must have proven that their business has been affected by COVID-19 in at least one of the following ways: Sales from the business are down more than 25% compared to the previous three months (prior to March 1, 2020); the business has had to lay off at least one of its employees (full or part time); or the business was forced to shut down by the state or local government. The application window has now closed.

List of businesses approved in Round 1.
List of businesses approved in Round 2.
List of businesses approved in Round 3.
List of businesses approved in Round 4.

Business owners who have questions can contact the County of Orange at (714) 480-6500. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) can help you with your application and help awardees with additional funding requirements at no cost. They can be reached at 1-800-616-7232.

Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to California small businesses – including those in Mission Viejo – suffering substantial economic injury because of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Funding is limited and applicants are encouraged to apply early and for multiple types of loans.

The SBA has a full menu of funding relief options including SBA Debt Relief, SBA Express Bridge Loans, EIDL Loan Advance and Paycheck Protection Program.

Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) is based on the financial impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19). “Small businesses, private nonprofit organizations of any size, small agricultural cooperatives and small aquaculture enterprises that have been financially impacted as a direct result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) since Jan. 31, 2020 may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred,” said SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza.

The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses. The interest rate for private nonprofit organizations is 2.75 percent. For the Injury and Disaster Loan, applicants can apply online.

For assistance, contact (800) 659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. People who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing can call (800) 877-8339.

Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is Dec. 16, 2020.

Notice: Due to limited funding and large volume of applications already submitted, only agricultural business applications will be accepted at this time. Any applications that have already been submitted, will continue to be processed on a first come, first served basis. Updates on availability of the EIDL portal will be provided as new information becomes available. For status information, please visit Office of Disaster Assistance as the SBA offices are unable to provide such information.

Notice: PPP Resumes April 27, 2020

The SBA will resume accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications from participating lenders on Monday, April 27, 2020 at 10:30am EDT.

Information is found online at www.sba.gov/paycheckprotection.

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is available to all businesses with 500 employees or less. If a business has more than 500 employees, determine eligibility by checking with SBA employee-based standards. Loans can be used for payroll costs, benefits, interest or mortgage obligations, rent or utilities. SBA PPP applications are available on their website.

Important Links

Frequently Asked Questions for Lenders and Borrowers (Update 6/25/2020).
Folder of Important Information compiled by SBA OC/IE District Office.
Interim final rule (5/13/20) relating to loan increases.
Interim Final Rule for Applicable Affiliation Rules for the PPP.
The PPP second round approvals.

Economic & Business Recovery Call Center

Orange County Community Services has implemented a call center to meet the needs of businesses – including those in Mission Viejo – impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Economic & Business Recovery Call Center offers information and resources to help Orange County businesses navigate the current economic climate. These resources will support businesses with challenges such as lay-off aversion, loans, utility reduction programs, and community resources mapping.

Businesses can call the Economic & Business Recovery Call Center at 714-480-6500 from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. Bilingual call center operators will be available to assist and assess situations, and offer resources tailored to meet individual business needs. Translation for the call center will be available in more than 240 languages. For more information, visit https://occommunityservices.org.

OCCS Workforce & Economic Development Division

For employers in need of assistance, the Orange County Workforce Development Board (OCWDB) and Orange County Community Services (OCCS) Community Investment Division have implemented multiple guides and resources. Topics for businesses include grants and loans available for employers; planning tools to help with navigating these uncertain times; guidance for companies; and other resources for local business. For more information, visit https://occommunityservices.org/.

Guides and Weblinks:

Novel Coronavirus - COVID-19 (OC Health Care Agency)

SBDC: Small Business Development Center (Orange County)

SBDC has COVID-19 step-by-step video guides, webinars, online business consulting and other downloadable online resources.

COVID-19 Resources.

Downloadable SBDC Guide the Latest News and Resources for Your Business.

Download this guide to learn about FAQs regarding Employment Development Department (EDD) resources, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, our SBDC Finance Center, how we can help – and more! Download Now.

Orange County Business Council

Have you considered the possibility of transitioning your business operations online? Orange County Business Council is hosting online seminars to help businesses with this technology. Visit the council at www.ocbc.org to find out more.

Employment Development Department

Unemployment Insurance  Employers Work-Sharing Program
Disability Insurance
Paid Family Leave
Tax Assistance
- Employers experiencing a hardship as a result of COVID-19 may request up to a 60-day extension of time from the EDD to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest. A written request for extension must be received within 60 days from the original delinquent date of the payment or return. Call the  EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center (1-888-745-3886).
Businesses should check their insurance coverage to determine if they have business interruption insurance, which generally helps protect against lost income after a covered peril that affects a business.
Businesses should consult their banks to confirm financial services available including emergency access to capital, small business loans and waivers for late fees.
For more information, visit Employment Development department COVID-19 FAQs.

SCORE

Offers free business mentoring and education in partnership with the Small Business Administration and specifically a Coronavirus Small Business Resource Hub.

CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The CDC has compiled interim guidance for businesses and employers based on current guidelines. The CDC is providing this guidance to help prevent workplace exposures to COVID-19 (in non-healthcare settings) and planning considerations for community spread.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Resources

Topics Include:

Purpose.
Preparing workplaces for a COVID-19 outbreak.
Reduce transmission among employees.
Maintain healthy business operations.
Maintain a healthy work environment.
Resources for more information (Including OSHA guidance).

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Resources for Businesses

All employers should be implementing strategies to protect their workforce from the coronavirus while ensuring continuity of operations.

Created by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, these guides are based on information provided by the CDC to help employers and employees prepare for and address the impacts of the coronavirus.

Help for Small Businesses

CO— (by U.S. Chamber of Commerce) is working to bring you the best resources and information to help you navigate this challenging time. The coronavirus pandemic is affecting small businesses in a variety of ways. From loss of business to remote work, things are changing fast during the COVID-19 outbreak and businesses are being forced to adapt. Additionally, you can refer to your state chamber for helpful resources. Additionally, The State of California website has a dedicated page to Covid-19 resources.