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Pajaro Disaster Assistance – Round 2 Beautification Request

Was your business impacted by the 2023 Winter Storm Pajaro floods?

Was your business affected by the March 2023 floods caused by the Pajaro Levee breach? You may qualify for the Pajaro Small Business Beautification Grant. This grant offers support for beautification projects, including interior and exterior painting, landscaping, and exterior signage, for small business owners in Pajaro.

There is up to $500,000 total available for Round 2. Funding is open to both new applicants and applicants previously approved through Round 1.

PLEASE REVIEW ALL OF THE INFORMATION LISTED BELOW BEFORE APPLYING.

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AVAILABLE FUNDING

Round 2 – Beautification (Up to $500,000 Total Funding Available)

Updating of a business’s aesthetic interior and exterior appearance by a licensed contractor. 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
Lighting
Security Cameras
Driveway/Parking Lot

Please note:

Recipients of funds from the Pajaro Small Business Beautification Grant 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 Beautification Grant 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

Quotes obtained from licensed contractors must be submitted with the application to be considered for funding.
- If the quote is approved and a 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, written approval from the landlord, guaranteeing that the tenant will neither be evicted nor have their rent increased after beautification is completed, is required.
On-site 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 is not requesting duplication of benefits previously received from FEMA, insurance, state compensation, nonprofits, etc.
Funding is open to both new applicants, as well as existing applicants ONLY if their approved beautification from Round 1 has been completed.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

New Applicants

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.
Beautification Request Form: Form accompanied by beautification quotes from licensed contractors that match the items and totals listed.
Quotes from Licensed Contractors: Quotes from licensed contractors that match the items and totals listed for beautification work that has not yet been done.
Written Approval from the Landlord guaranteeing that the tenant will not be evicted or have rent increased after beautification if the business owner does not own the building.

Existing Applicants

Beautification Request Form: Form accompanied by beautification quotes from licensed contractors that match the items and totals listed.
Quotes from Licensed Contractors: Quotes from licensed contractors that match the items and totals listed for beautification work that has not yet been done.

Required documentation is subject to change to allow as much flexibility as possible.