The Grover Beach City Council approved a program on Monday allowing businesses to expand their operations outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a news release sent to KSBY, the city council also authorized up to $50,000 in one-time CARES Act grant funding to help businesses transition to outdoor spaces.
The program allows businesses to utilize parking lots, sidewalks and portions of the street to meet state health guidelines.
“This program is just the latest way that the City of Grover Beach is showing its support for our business community,” said Grover Beach Mayor Jeff Lee. “The city is committed to developing a pro-business approach that recognizes the critical contributions of local businesses to the collective well-being and economic future of our community.”
The City of Grover Beach has partnered with the South County Chambers of Commerce to provide more than $150,000 in micro-grants to assist 20 Grover Beach businesses that applied for these grant funds, according to a spokesperson.
City officials also provided assistance by waiving late fees for utility payments for business and residential customers from February through May, according to city officials.
“Grover Beach businesses have shown their resiliency and many have already begun adapting to outdoor operations,” said Matthew Bronson, the city manager of Grover Beach. “The city is dedicated to helping our businesses and we want to hear from them about how we can help businesses serve their customers outside in a whole new way.”
Business owners who are interested may contact the City of Grover Beach by calling (805) 473-4550 or sending an email to cityhall@groverbeach.org.
