Business Assistance/Microenterprise Program


Microenterprise Grants Available to Small Businesses in Mariposa 

Mariposa County is offering $10,000 grants to help small businesses owned by low- and moderate-income business owners or entrepreneurs.  The awards will assist Mariposa-based businesses with five or fewer employees to build their capacity. The grants will be awarded on a competitive basis and applications are due by January 15.     

The funding for these awards comes from CA Housing and Community Development (HCD) through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Microenterprise Grant Program. The primary objective of the CDBG Microenterprise Grant Program is the development of viable communities by expanding economic opportunities for persons of low and moderate income. Funds can be used for a variety of different business needs, including capital to pay staff, rent, inventory, equipment, marketing, and other working capital. Under CDBG guidelines, nonprofit organizations are not eligible for these awards. 

To apply in this round, business owners must earn less than the income limit set by HCD, which is based on family size and income.  The limit for a four-person household is $67,040.  As part of the application, business owners will be asked to submit a budget, business plan, financial statements, professional resume, and tax receipts.

Submitted applications will be reviewed by a committee, comprised of members of the Mariposa County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board and Mariposa County staff. The committee members will evaluate the submissions based on the feasibility of the business plan, on whether the business meets a community need, and on the proposed use of the grant dollars. The committee will then make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and final award decisions are anticipated by March 2024.  

If you have questions about this program, please contact Will Fassett (wfassett@mariposacounty.org) or Lynn Mattos (lmattos@mariposacounty.org).