Pajaro Disaster Assistance
Was your business impacted by the 2023 Winter Storm Pajaro floods?
If your business (either home-based or storefront) was impacted by the March 2023 floods caused by the breach of the Pajaro Levee, you may qualify for the Pajaro Small Business Assistance Program.
Assistance is available for verified losses irrespective of citizenship status, aiming to address unmet flood-related needs not covered by other sources of assistance.
PLEASE REVIEW ALL OF THE INFORMATION LISTED BELOW BEFORE APPLYING.
AVAILABLE FUNDING
Phase 1 – $3,200,000 (Loss and Damage)
Reimbursements to qualified businesses for eligible purchases from March 10, 2023, to December 31, 2023. Proof of payment and supporting documentation are required.
$85,000 maximum for storefront businesses:
- Inventory
- Equipment
- Revenue
- Building Damage
$5,000 maximum for home-based businesses:
- Inventory
- Computers, Laptops, and Tablets
- Printer / Copier / Fax Machine
Phase 2 – $500,000 (Beautification)
Remodeling of a business’ aesthetic appearance by a licensed contractor that has not yet been done. Quotes obtained from a licensed contractor are required, in addition to written approval from the landlord if the building is being rented.
$15,000 maximum for storefront businesses:
- Interior/Exterior Painting
- Landscaping
- Fascia Signage
Please note:
Recipients of funds from the Pajaro Small Business Assistance Program should be aware that the payment of those funds by Monterey County will be reported to other governmental agencies. The purpose of the reporting is to ensure that if a recipient later collects any other funds as compensation for damages suffered due to flooding, the funds from the Pajaro Small Business Assistance Program are subtracted from any such collection. This statement is not an admission of any sort regarding potential liability by Monterey County or other agencies connected with the Pajaro River flood control efforts.
ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
Eligible Phase 1 Expenses
- Inventory: Goods available for sale that were damaged or lost and needed to be replenished. Receipts required.
- Equipment: Damaged or lost property, such as refrigerators, display counters, machinery, etc. Receipts required.
- Revenue: Sales lost as a direct result of the flood and its aftermath. Quarterly sales report required to demonstrate a reduction in revenue.
- Building Damage: Repair of the exterior / interior of a building. Receipts from licensed contractors and photos are required.
- Computers / Laptops / Tablets; Printers / Copiers / Fax Machines: Damaged electronic devices that needed to be replaced to continue business operations. Receipts required.
Eligible Phase 2 Expenses
Beautification
- Quotes obtained from licensed contractors must be submitted with the application to be considered for funding.
- If the quote is approved and preliminary inspection is done, 50% of the quoted amount will be issued.
- The remaining 50% will be paid after the completion of beautification work, the invoice from the licensed contractor is submitted, and the final inspection is done.
- If the business owner does not own the building, a copy of the lease agreement and written approval from the landlord, also guaranteeing that the tenant will neither be evicted nor have rent increased after beautification is completed, are required.
- Onsite inspections will be conducted before and after approved work.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- Business is owned, operated, and located in Pajaro on one of the streets that were located in either the evacuation or flood zone.
- Business was established and in operation prior to March 10, 2023.
- Business owner resided either in Monterey County and/or within a 20-mile radius of Pajaro prior to March 10, 2023.
- Business experienced financial losses and/or building damage as a result of the flood.
- Business is not requesting duplication of benefits previously received from FEMA, insurance, state compensation, nonprofits, etc.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Government Issued Photo Identification: Driver’s License, Identification Card, Passport / Passport Card, US Military Identification Card, etc.
- Utility Bill, Lease Agreement, or Credit Card Statement Valid on March 10, 2023: Verification that the business owner’s residence is within a 20-mile radius of Pajaro.
- 2022 Tax Return Schedule C/ Form 1040: Verification of the business’ authenticity.
- Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification / Form W-9: Attestation of the business’ information to enable payment.
- Withholding Exemption Certificate / Form 590: Attestation of the business’ headquarters location required by Monterey County Auditor-Controller to process payment to businesses.
- Vendor Data Record Form: Form required by Monterey County Auditor-Controller to issue payment to approved businesses.
- Invoice for Reimbursement Form: Form accompanied by proof of payment(s) from March 10, 2023, to December 31, 2023, that match the items and totals listed.
- Proof of Payment for Eligible Expenses: Receipts dated from March 10, 2023, to December 31, 2023, for eligible expenses.
- Beautification Request Form: Form accompanied by beautification quotes from licensed contractors that match the items and totals listed. (Storefront business, Phase 2 Beautification only.)
- Quotes from Licenses Contractors: Quotes from licensed contractors that match the items and totals listed for beautification work that has not yet been done. (Storefront business, Phase 2 Beautification only.)
Required documentation is subject to change to allow as much flexibility as possible.
TIMELINE
March 25, 2024
- Application documents and resources available on the MCWDB website
- Call to schedule an in-person appointment for assistance
March 26, 2024
- Application period begins
- Application Center at Pajaro Park is open for appointments and walk-ins five days a week
April 27, 2024
- Application period ends
- Application review for approval and/or requests for missing documents continue
June 30, 2024
- Final reimbursement checks issued
- Beautification work may still be pending completion
September 30, 2024
- All approved beautification work completed and final checks issued
- Business assistance program ends
HOW TO APPLY
Option 1 – Apply Online
Option 2 – Schedule an in-person appointment to meet with a team member to receive application submission assistance.
Appointments are highly recommended to ensure timely assistance. Maximum of three (3) appointments per hour.
Call to make an appointment:
English: 1 (888) 451-4649
Spanish: 1 (888) 807-0790
The last walk-in is accepted at 6:00 PM on weekdays and 1:00 PM on Saturdays.
The Pajaro Disaster Assistance Program is brought to you in partnership with:
This program is 100% funded by a grant from the County of Monterey Department of Emergency Management and Monterey County.