Program Overview

The City of West Sacramento’s Economic Development and Housing Department administers a Small Business Accelerator Program (SBAP) to provide capital for small businesses located within West Sacramento. The program is intended to assist small businesses, especially ones located in economically disadvantaged parts of the city, that need financial assistance to make improvements to their brick-and-mortar location. A total of 7 funding categories have been identified and approved; which will be implemented in a phased approach in 2024-2025.

Applications are open for grant programs in Phase I, and qualifying applicants can apply for reimbursable expenses for their small business for eligible expenses paid within 30 days prior to their application date.

Small Business Accelerator Program Staff Report 11.6.24 (Program Adopted)

Eligibility Requirements

• Business is currently eligible (meaning they are NOT suspended or debarred) to contract with the federal, state, or local government to receive federal, state, or local grants or loans.
• Registered with a City of West Sacramento Business License
• Registered with the State of California
• Business Tax Filings must be current (2022 or 2023)
• Business Gross Annual Revenue of $3M or less
• Business Employs 15 full-time equivalent people or less
• The applicant(s) must be a majority owner or combined majority owners of the business (50% or more)
• Must be a for-profit business
• Must not be part of a national chain
• One application per business, regardless of total eligible expenses. 

Phase I (December 2024)

SBAP- Food and Beverage Facility Enhancement Program

The City is offering one-time grants of up to $15,000 through the City’s Small Business Accelerator Program (Program) to offer financial assistance to food and beverage facilities located in the City who wish to make purchases associated with refreshing dining spaces, making technology upgrades, and making improvements to kitchen operations and equipment. Any business may receive funding from this category one time only and must meet one of the following categories: quick service dining, casual dining, fine dining, fast casual dining, brewery, or tasting room; and must be privately operated (no national brands or chains).

Eligible Expenses

Grant funds are intended to assist with expenses associated building or refreshing dining spaces, making technology upgrades, and making improvements to kitchen operations and equipment. Examples of eligible activities include:

• Indoor dining furniture
• Outdoor dining furniture
• IT system upgrades
• Outdoor patio improvements
• Outdoor cooling and/or heating systems
• Appliance upgrades
• Energy efficient switch outs

APPLY HERE

This category is accessible to any small business with less than 15 full time or equivalent employees and less than $3M in annual revenue and provides up to $10,000 towards the cost of City Planning and or Building Permit fees necessary to occupy or expand in a commercial space.

This program can be accessed in combination with the Food and Beverage Enhancement Program, in the event that improvements require City permitting and review (ie pergola/ gazebo/awning/ patio improvements, some equipment switch outs)

 APPLY HERE

 SBAP- Vandalism Relief Program

This program provides up to $5,000/ year to any small business that has been a victim of robbery and/ or vandalism to cover the cost of broken windows, doors and locks, etching on windows, graffiti, and more. Staff has consulted with the West Sacramento Police Department and will be working to include a requirement to purchase and install a West Sacramento Safe and Secure camera system as part of this program.

 APPLY HERE

 Programs to be implemented throughout 2025

• SBAP Tenant Improvement Program- internal improvements (Early Spring 2025)
• SBAP Facade Improvement Program- external improvements (Early Spring 2025)
• SBAP Micro-Grant Program- startup operating costs (Early Fall 2025)

Forms

 SBAP Grant Agreement

Contact: Meaghan Stiles- Economic Development Manager, meaghans@eraglobe.com