Part of the Demand Side Employment Initiative (DSEI) from the California Department of Rehabilitation, the EmployABILITY Business Grant offers small- and medium-sized businesses in California the opportunity to grow their businesses and upgrade their hiring. 

The EmployABILITY Business Grant provides $20,000-$200,000 in funding for established small- to medium-sized businesses (SMB) based in California and willing to commit to hiring individuals with disabilities. Businesses can use these grants from the DOR to cover things like equipment, new hire costs, training, consulting services, physical accommodations and more. You can read more about the grant here: https://www.employabilityca.com/

The California Dream Fund is a one-time $35 million grant program to seed entrepreneurship and small business creation in California. New entrepreneurs and small business owners will complete an intensive training program through select participating centers of the Technical Assistance Expansion Program. Following successful completion of the training and consulting program, new businesses will be eligible to apply for a microgrant of up to $10,000.

The Employee Retention Tax Credit is a refundable credit that businesses can claim on qualified wages, including certain health insurance costs, paid to employees. Qualified employers can claim a credit against 50% of qualified wages paid up to $10,000 per employee annually for wages paid between March 13 and December 31, 2020. 70% of qualified wages paid up to $10,000 per employee per quarter for wages paid in the first three quarters of 2021. 

Businesses impacted by California’s Paid Family Leave program and who have increased costs to cover the duties of the employee on leave; hiring and training additional staff to cover the duties of the employee on leave; and marketing, recruitment, and other reasonably foreseeable training costs. Small businesses with 1-100 employees with at least one employee utilizing California’s Paid Family Leave program (on or after June 1, 2022) are eligible to apply for grants up to $2,000 per employee on leave. 

Applications accepted now through May 31, 2024. 

The California Competes Tax Credit is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size, or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on twelve different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment, and strategic importance to the state or region. 

Applications will be accepted during these periods: January 3-23, 2023; March 6-20, 2023. 

Assembly Bill 150 establishing the Homeless Hiring Tax Credit is available for taxable years beginning January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026. Employers may receive $2,500 to $10,000 in tax credit per eligible employee based on the actual hours worked in the taxable year. Employers may claim up to $30,000 of credit per taxable year. 

If you represent a business with buildings to manage, Charge Ready has multiple cost-saving programs. Explore the EV charging equipment installation opportunities for your commercial assets. 

The Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program provides microbusiness assistance for the County of Santa Barbara. Eligible microbusinesses that were adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic may apply for up to $2,500 which does not require repayment of any kind. Completed applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis. Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis. 

There are many funding opportunities for zero-emission vehicles that vary in both form and complexity, especially in California. Small to mid-sized businesses can face a number of challenges when it comes to securing capital to grow a business or invest in new technology. TE Advisory Services will help qualified fleets apply for grants that fund acquisition of electric vehicles.