Application Period: February 16, 2021 - February 26, 2021 Grant Amount: Up to $1,000 Qualifying Industries: Hair Salons & Barbershops; Personal Care Services (includes Nail Salons, Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Estheticians, Tattoo Artists, Dry Cleaners); Movie Theaters; Gyms & Fitness Centers (includes Karate Studios, Dance Studios, Gymnastics & Tumbling); Wineries; Bars, Breweries & Distilleries; Family Entertainment Centers; Retail; Restaurants; Daycare Centers; Pet Boarding; Tutoring/Education Centers; Dentists; Chiropractors; Veterinarians. Notification of Award and Grant Funds Distribution: March 2021 How to Apply: The application period is now CLOSED!
With CARES funds provided by Placer County, the City of Rocklin and the Rocklin Chamber have collaborated on a grant program for industries hardest hit by Covid-19. The Keep the Lights on in Rocklin Grant Program provides grants of up to $1000 to cover power bills for eligible small businesses.
Rocklin based businesses (including the unincorporated areas of Rocklin) in the following industries will be eligible to apply in Round 2:
Hair Salons & Barbershops
Personal Care Services (includes Nail Salons, Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Estheticians, Tattoo Artists, Dry Cleaners)
Family Entertainment Centers (includes Movie Theaters, Ax Throwing, Escape Rooms, Ropes Courses)
Retail (under 30 employees)
Restaurants (under 30 employees)
Daycare Centers (home-based not eligible)
Pet Boarding
Tutoring/Education Centers
Dentists
Chiropractors
Veterinarians
There is approx. $160,000 available to allocate to local businesses through this grant program.
Applicants in ROUND 2 of the Keep the Lights on in Rocklin Grant will be divided into (2) Tiers, Tier 1 and Tier 2. Applications in Tier 1 will be given top priority. If funding is still available, Tier 2 applications will be considered. In the event that we receive more applications than we have funds, a random lottery will be used. Tier 1 Industries/Business Categories: * All qualifying industries from Round 1: Hair Salons & Barbershops; Personal Care Services (includes Nail Salons, Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Estheticians, Tattoo Artists, Dry Cleaners); Movie Theaters; Gyms & Fitness Centers (includes Karate Studios, Dance Studios, Gymnastics & Tumbling); Wineries; Bars, Breweries & Distilleries; Family Entertainment Centers) * Retail (under 30 employees) - includes Photography Industry (must have a store front) * Restaurants (under 30 employees)
Tier 2 Industries/Business Categories: * Daycare Centers (home based is not eligible) * Pet Boarding (non-veterinary services) * Tutoring/Education Centers * Dentists * Chiropractors * Veterinarians
The Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce will administer the grant program - Chamber membership is not a requirement.
Grant Criteria
Grants will be awarded to Rocklin businesses based on the following criteria and eligibility information. Eligibility:
Businesses must have a physical location within the City of Rocklin or Unincorporated area of Rocklin. Home based businesses are not eligible for this program.
Must have a current Rocklin business license (or Placer County business license if located in an unincorporated area of Rocklin).
Eligible industries: Hair Salons & Barbershops; Personal Care Services (includes Nail Salons, Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Estheticians, Tattoo Artists, Dry Cleaners); Movie Theaters; Gyms & Fitness Centers (includes Karate Studios, Dance Studios, Gymnastics & Tumbling); Wineries; Bars, Breweries & Distilleries; Family Entertainment Centers; Retail; Restaurants; Daycare Centers; Pet Boarding; Tutoring/Education Centers; Dentists; Chiropractors; Veterinarians.
Have been in operation as of March 1, 2020.
Be in operation at the time of application (businesses that have permanently closed due to the pandemic are ineligible).
Be a for-profit organization; non-profits are not eligible for this program.
Must apply as the business owner; landlords are not eligible for this program.
Provide copies of your power utility bill(s) totaling up to $1000 from any of the qualifying months: April - December 2020.
Provide a W9.
Your business must have followed and abided by the State of California's COVID-19 restrictions on businesses during the Stay at Home order posted on December 11th.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I have to be a member of the Rocklin Chamber to be eligible to apply? A: No, any eligible Rocklin business owner is welcome to apply regardless of member status. Q: Is the application first come first served? A: No. Applications are accepted February 16 - February 26. If the requests for grants exceeds the total amount of grant funds, a random lottery will be used with preference given to Tier 1 businesses first. Q: If I hold a business license in another city but conduct business in Rocklin, do I qualify? A: No, you must hold a current businesses license with the City of Rocklin or a Placer County business license if your business is located in an unincorporated part of Rocklin. Q: Can I apply for more than 1 grant if I own more than 1 qualifying business? A: Yes, each qualifying business can apply. Q: What documents do I need to have ready for the application? A: You will need to upload a copy of your business license, W9 and power utility bills. Q: I’m currently in the process of opening my business, do I qualify to apply? A: No, your business must have been in operation as of March 1, 2020. Q: Can I request less than $1,000? A: Yes, please specify in the application.
Q: How many businesses are expected to be helped with this program? A: With approx. $160,000 in funding and $1000 per grant, we anticipate funding 160 businesses.
Q: What utility bills qualify? A: We are specifically asking for your power bill. This can be a single bill or multiple bills during the qualifying period of April 2020 - December 2020. If a single bill totals $1000 or more, you only need to upload that bill. Otherwise, upload as many bills as you need to to reach the $1000 limit.
Q: Do landlords qualify for this grant? A: No, landlords do not qualify. Only business owners may apply.
Q: I'm in the hair salon or personal services industry. The landlord pays for the utilities but I'm charged for my portion through my rent payment. Do I qualify for this grant program? A: The landlord would need to supply you with a copy of the power utility bill(s) and provide a letter stating what percentage of each bill was charged to your business. We will handle these requests individually. Please contact the Rocklin Chamber with specific questions.
Q: When will the grants be administered? A: Notification of award and the distribution of grant funds will be administered in March 2021.
Q: Who do I contact with questions? A: Please contact the Rocklin Chamber at 916-624-2548 or Tiffany Neilson at [email protected].
