Financial Resources

The City of Ventura’s Economic Development Division strives to connect Ventura businesses with local, state and federal financial resources, programs and relief options.

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Local Disaster Relief Options

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) - Information on economic injury disaster relief, free business consultation on how to deal with COVID-19 disruptions, loan opportunities, payroll tax filing, one-stop shop COVID-19 Business Resource Guide, and resources for employers, employees, and sole proprietors.  

  • EDC Disaster Loan Fund: In addition to our traditional EDC loan funds, EDC is offering 4.25% interest loans from $5,000 - $50,000 through our Disaster Loan Fund to give a cash flow boost to businesses impacted by reduced sales, supply chain disruption or other challenges related to COVID-19. Call (805) 409-9159 for more information.
  • Covid-19 Business Resource Guide for Employers, Self-Employed, & Employees
  • EDC Disaster Loan Fund Now Accepting Applications - The Economic Development Collaborative has announced that they are now accepting applications for their EDC Disaster Loan. Special thanks to Pacific Western Bank for contributing $500,000 to the EDC Disaster Loan Fund. These funds are meant to support small businesses in Ventura and Santa Barbara County only. Funding is limited and employers are still encouraged to participate in the SBA Disaster Loan Program (EIDL) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) as they are the best sources of capital available to small businesses. Please note: The EDC COVID-19 loans are not forgivable, nor is it tied to the Cares Act Bill. Furthermore, EDC is not an SBA lender and cannot participate in any of its sponsored programs.

    Loan criteria include, but is not limited to:

    • Sufficient historical cash flows
    • Adequate credit
    • Continued operations through COVID-19
    • Employee retention
  • If you are interested in applying, please email loans@edcollaborative.com or call (805) 409-9159 for more information.

Ventura County Community Foundation - The Ventura County Community Foundation has launched the Ventura County Rapid Response Fund to support nonprofit organizations addressing the needs of individuals and families with food and housing support, childcare, wage replacement, mental health care, and more.  

Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) - WEV has set up a fund to provide financial support and assistance to businesses experiencing economic hardship as a result of the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.


State and Federal Programs

Small Business Administration (SBA)

  • SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): Loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on payroll. 
  • SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): Small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance up to $10,000.
  • SBA Express Bridge Loan: Loan allows small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly. 

Economic Development Department (EDD) - State Unemployment

  • EDD Unemployment: Current unemployment benefits have been expanded to self-employed for those that have lost hours or wages due to the impact of Covid-19 you are encouraged to file for unemployment.
  • EDD Partial Unemployment:Employers that want to keep their employees. Employees are not required to look for a new job because the employer has certified that there will be a job for you at a future date. You are considered partially unemployed. 
  • EDD Workshare: Minimize or eliminate the need for layoffs.

State of California has released a Small Business Disaster Loan Fund Guarantee Program - This program, backed by IBANK, is intended to provide loans to businesses impacted by COVID19. Please note: IBANK is not a direct lender which means that businesses seeking capital will need to find lenders that are participating in this program.


Additional Resources

U.S. Chamber of Commerce - The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated almost $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has issued this guide to help small businesses and self-employed individuals check eligibility and prepare to file for a loan.

California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED)

  • A clearinghouse for federal, state, and local resources that provide guidance as well as examples of what communities are doing to help their local businesses.

Labor & Workforce Development Agency:  Guidance for Employers & Workforce

  • In the face of the COVID-19, the Labor & Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) provides a centralized source of information for workers, employers, and co-workers.