MAIN STREET MARTINEZ INC

As our Downtown Martinez businesses are entering the reopening phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, they need our help now more than ever. Starting March 16th, our downtown mom and pop businesses have been required to either completely shut their doors or operate under restrictions resulting in drastically reduced revenue.

We are beginning to see lightened restrictions allowing our downtown to slowly reopen but, we are not in the clear yet. In fact, with all the new guidelines and requirements to ensure the safety of customers, the requirement for additional unplanned expenses is yet another barrier to overcome.

Main Street Martinez will use donations from the United We Stand Martinez Strong, Downtown Martinez Back to Business Relief Fund to establish the Downtown Martinez Back to Business Microgrant Program. The downtown Martinez Back to Business Microgrant Program will offer $250-$400 microgrants to downtown small businesses to help with their short-term financial needs with reopening supplies including: masks, cleaning supplies, plastic barriers, signage, etc. Main Street Martinez will be working with our downtown business community to make sure safety comes first!

All donations to the United We Stand Martinez Strong, Downtown Martinez Back to Business Microgrant Program of $50 or more will receive a free United We Stand, Martinez Strong face mask. Please contact [email redacted]to arrange curbside pickup or delivery.

According to a recent Main Street America survey of more than 5,800 U.S. small businesses, 1 in 4 small businesses throughout the country including Martinez could be at risk of closing permanently over the next five months. Every donation no matter how small or large will help strengthen our small business community and be an investment into their future in downtown Martinez.

Application Process:
 
Main Street Martinez is now accepting applications from Downtown Martinez small businesses for the Downtown Martinez Back to Business Microgrant Program. The microgrant program will offer $250-$400 microgrants to downtown businesses to help them meet their short-term reopening financial needs. These microgrants are to be used as reimbursement for additional unplanned expenses incurred for reopening supplies needed to ensure the safety and compliance measures set by the Contra Costa Health Department.  Microgrants grants are available for Downtown Martinez small businesses and nonprofits that meet the following qualifications:
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• Earn less than $200,000 a year in gross revenue
• Have 10 employees or less
•Have an active City of Martinez business license and business address in the Main Street Program Defined Boundary Area below:

Berrellesa St. from Masonic St. to Railroad Tracks (just past Buckley St.), Masonic St. to Ferry St., Ferry St. to Green St., Green St. to Las Juntas St., Las Juntas St. to Mellus St., Mellus St. to Court St., Court St. to Ward St., Ward St. to Pine St., Pine St. to Railroad Tracks (just past Marina Vista) to Berrellesa St.
           
Map available in application below.
 
Qualifying businesses are encouraged to apply for the program by Friday, July 3, 2020. Businesses do not need to be Main Street Martinez members to apply, but members will be given priority. Main Street Board of Directors and Executive Director will review applications and notify recipients by Friday, July 10, 2020. For more information about applying, contact [phone redacted].
 
Download Application HERE 

Main Street Martinez is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit, dedicated to the economic health and vitality of downtown Martinez. Main Street Martinez is a certified National Main Street Program dedicated to focusing on the National Main Street’s Four Point Approach to Downtown Revitalization including: Organization, Promotion, Design and Economic Vitality.

Main Street Martinez (MSM) has made it our top priority for the next year to see our small businesses through the COVID-19  pandemic. With all of the regulations locally and Statewide, our businesses have had to either close their doors or operate at a minimal level putting them at risk for permanent closure. Our goal is to keep every business strong and united with multiple efforts to make an impact.