$4.8 million in small business grants awarded throughout El Dorado County

The Small Business Retention Workgroup, comprised of the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce, El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce, El Dorado County Economic Development Department and various other entities formulated in March of this year to provide advocacy and strategies for the small business communities of El Dorado County.  The workgroup has met weekly as the COVID-19 pandemic impacted our communities with awareness that the small businesses of our county are the backbone of our business community, employing neighbors and led by individuals who call El Dorado County home.  

As part of the congressional CARES Act passed in April, funding was disbursed to El Dorado County to mitigate effects of the pandemic.  With the leadership of the County Board of Supervisors, a portion of that funding was earmarked for small business support.  The parameters of the funding was defined by the Small Business Retention Workgroup with the El Dorado Community Foundation acting as the coordinating body for applications and the agency to contact for questions.

In August, the grant application process opened.  Over 300 small business applied before the deadline date of September 3rd.   After review, the workgroup awarded 290 small businesses with grants totaling over $4.8 million. 

These grants, and the impact they bring, are assisting the small business community of El Dorado County providing them the opportunity to thrive, to employ, and to serve the communities they are committed to.