Orange County working on stimulus program to help small businesses

About 80% of restaurant owners say they are not certain they can survive the COVID-19 crisis.

And because small businesses still need so much help, Orange County is working on a stimulus program.

The county pumped millions into programs that improved small business growth in the years following 9/11, and again in 2011 after the Great Recession.

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Now commissioners are considering another $1.22 million for pandemic recovery.

“That would be wonderful,” said Daniel Miller with New Moon Market. “There’s so many people out here struggling.”

County staff is still working on the details of virtual education, coaching and other tools.

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Goals for the stimulus program are to create collaborative opportunities to retain and develop existing local talent, to provide inclusive support so all small businesses have the same opportunities and to foster innovation through diversifying the local economy.

County commissioners did not make any decisions on the program during their meeting on Tuesday, but they are set to next time when county staff comes back with more specifics on how everything will work.

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Cox Media Group