CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATES AND RESOURCES

Federal Loans and Grants

For the current status of federal Covid-19 economic relief, please refer to the U.S. Department of the Treasury website.

State Loans and Grants

Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program: California’s Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank is issuing loan guarantees of up to 95 percent of the loan through its partner Financial Development Corporations. This program will help lenders and small businesses by providing loan guarantees of up to $1 million for small business borrowers in declared disaster areas.

California Capital Access Program: Office of the California State Treasurer is offering a small business loan program with special disaster assistance.

Jump Start Loan Program: Loans ranging from $500 to $10,000 to low-wealth entrepreneurs in the declared disaster and emergency areas.

Additional State Resources:

CA Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development - Information for employers, employees and all Californians.

CA Department of Public Health - Health updates

CA Department of Labor & Workforce - Guidance for employers and workers

Office of the Small Business Advocate - Resources by region

CA Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBANK) - Disaster & jump start loans

CA Treasurer’s Office - Capital Access Program (CalCAP)

Franchise Tax Board - Special tax relief

CA Department of Tax and Fee Administration - Tax assistance and relief

Local Information

The County of Orange has a webpage dedicated to Covid-19 FAQs and the most up-to-date information.

Subscribe to the Lake Forest Economic Development Newsletter for local business news.

City of Lake Forest Alert Center has information on county and state updates.

Nixle - City of Lake Forest Text Alerts subscribes to text alerts from the City.

Orange County Health Care Agency webpage has updates on community measures, case status, and health guidelines.

Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce provides local business resources.

Promote Your Business

Lake Forest Economic Development promotes local businesses through our website and social media including our Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram pages. If you would like your business to be promoted, please email us at economicdevelopment@lakeforestca.gov

Economic Development also promotes businesses throughout the year through the Shop and Dine Program.  You can also sign up to be included in the Shop and Dine App.

Business Mentoring

Lake Forest Economic Development partners with SCORE to provide one-on-one business counseling and mentorship services. SCORE will continue providing services to the business community via telephone, video, or email.

You can book an appointment with a mentor online. Appointment methods include phone, video and email. You can also learn from experts with online business webinars and workshops.

Assistance for Residents Seeking Employment

OnwardCA: The State of California launched this new website to assist employees impacted by coronavirus. OnwardCA is an initiative of companies, foundations, and individuals to help workers displaced by coronavirus connect to essential life services and get back to work as quickly as possible.

Orange County Workforce Solutions provides comprehensive employment and training services, including a Resource Center with access to computers, fax machines, copiers, and telephones. Other services include a resume distribution program; a career resource library, labor market information, networking opportunities, job search workshops, on-site interviews with local employers, transferable skills information, job leads, and training programs.

Unemployment Insurance (UI) Claim provides partial wage replacement benefits payments to workers who have lost their jobs or have had hours reduced through no fault of their own.

Disability Insurance (DI) claim provides short-term Disability Insurance (DI) wage replacement benefits to eligible workers. You may be eligible if you are unable to work and are losing wages because of your own pregnancy, childbirth, or non-work-related illness or injury.  The State now waives the one-week unpaid waiting period, so you can collect Disability Insurance benefits for the first week you are out of work. 

Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim provides up to six weeks of benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages because they need time off work to care for a seriously ill family member or to bond with a new child.

Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim:  If your child’s school is closed, and you have to miss work to be there for them, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits.  The California Employee Development Department prepared an informative tutorial to assist you.