A new business tech assistance program is coming to Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) – A new program is coming to Bakersfield to provide technical assistance and financial assistance to entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses. The Ecosystem Technical Assistance and Assistance Program is designed to help business owners who have been negatively impacted by the pandemic or simply want to expand and grow their business.

Cecilia Griego, chief planner for the City of Bakersfield’s Department of Economic and Community Development, said the program’s goal is to provide business services, such as new technology or marketing support.

“As we come out of this pandemic, we’re seeing a lot of urban residents and small businesses with a new vision, optimism, and a desire to really focus on what’s at hand and get things done,” Griego said. “Coming out of this pandemic, we have inflation, supply chain issues, labor shortages. We’ve had a lot of challenges for our small businesses.”

The program is funded by $1.5 million from the federal government.

Griego said a handful of local organizations are partnering to do the work.

“This includes Bakersfield College’s Launchpad, CSUB’s Small Business Development Center and their extended education and global outreach, as well as the Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce,” Griego said. “These are great partners who really know the local business community, and are being prepared and ready to provide support services to these businesses.”

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To qualify for the grant, your small business must be within Bakersfield city limits, Griego added.

Grigo said the program’s primary focus is on start-up micro businesses that are less than 2 years old or have 10 or fewer employees, as well as existing small businesses that plan to expand or grow and have 25 or more. or less employees.

According to Griego, the program offers large and small grants to these entrepreneurs.

It’s going to be less, like $5,000 or $10,000, to get that startup started, and we’re going to offer some bigger grants and that’s for businesses that have maybe more equipment costs or more costs to really start or scale that up. Larger amounts may have a little more requirements, such as creating a job or creating a strong, compelling business plan that shows how you plan to use that grant money,” Griego said.

The program is expected to begin in mid-June, and the Department of Community and Economic Development will submit applications. Meanwhile, small businesses are encouraged to have their city business licenses and bank accounts ready to go.