On September 13, Hercules City Council approved the implementation of the Business Grant Assistance and Business Rental Assistance programs using allocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The City’s current budget includes $150,000 for a Business Assistance Program and $150,000 for a Business Rental Assistance Grant program utilizing ARPA funds.

“We are pleased to offer the Business Assistance programs to our local businesses through ARPA funds,” said Mayor Dion Bailey. “As a business-friendly city, Hercules strives to assist its businesses in as many ways as possible. We urge all eligible businesses to apply to receive assistance through these programs.”

In collaboration with City staff, HdL Companies developed the outlines for each program. In their presentation to Council, HdL Companies representative Sandra Meyer outlined the guidelines and criteria for each program.

The Business Grant Assistance program would grant up to $10,000 per business to provide individualized assistance in a variety of areas including employee training, rehiring, COVID-19 grant and loan application processing and financial training. Eligible businesses must meet the following criteria to qualify:

  • Businesses must be located within incorporated Hercules.
  • Businesses must demonstrate a reduction in workforce and/or loss of business revenue from March 16, 2020, to December 31, 2021, and that they received little to no financial assistance in response to the pandemic.

The Business Rental Assistance program would grant up to $15,000 per business and will be made available to qualified small businesses to be paid directly to their landlords to cover owed rent. Eligible businesses must meet the following criteria to qualify:

  • Businesses must be located within incorporated Hercules.
  • The program is aimed at brick-and-mortar, for-profit businesses in operation prior to March 16, 2020, with fewer than 25 employees.
  • The business must lease/rent their commercial property directly from a landlord.
  • The business must demonstrate a delinquency in rent payments at any time from March 16, 2020, to December 31, 2021. (The timeframe for demonstrating delinquency in rent payments is consistent with the ARPA Final Rule.)
  • The business must demonstrate a reduction in workforce and/or revenue loss from March 16, 2020, to December 31, 2021, and that they received little to no financial assistance in response to the pandemic.

For both programs, business types including corporate-owned chains or non-local franchises, investment and insurance companies, and commercial and residential landlords are not eligible for the grant program. Funding availability for each program is limited and award of funds is contingent on availability.

For more information on the application process, please visit the City of Hercules website.