Rapid Response & Layoff Aversion
Overview
In order to support small business employers facing financial impacts and potential layoffs from COVID-19, the Imperial County Workforce Development Board (ICWDB) has established the Small Business COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Grant Fund. The fund has provided grants to small employers experiencing economic stresses in order to prevent potential layoffs or facility closures during COVID-19.
The ICWDB has designated $120,000 of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Rapid Response Layoff Aversion funds to this grant project. Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include businesses or industry associations that:
- Have a business location in Imperial County (funds may only be utilized for Imperial County locations);
- Have 50 employees or less;
- Are up-to-date-on Unemployment Insurance (UI) taxes and are in good standing with the state of California, to be submitted via attestation on the grant application; and
- Can demonstrate a need to prevent layoffs that would occur due to the impacts of COVID-19.
Funding Availability
Businesses with 1-25 employees are eligible for total grant funding up to $3,500
Businesses with 26-50 employees are eligible for total grant funding up to $6,500
Use of funds
Employers must utilize the funds to create solutions that mitigate layoffs. Requests must be reasonable, necessary, and directly related to preventing potential layoffs or facility closures as a result of COVID-19. All applications will be reviewed by the ICWDB.