Milpitas Business Assistance Resources

Office of Economic Development 

September 2, 2022 

An extended time period has passed since the Office Economic Development released its last Constant Contact message to the Milpitas business community. Please be assured that future messages about assistance resources will be released more frequently going forward. We look forward to staying in touch with you.

A new app-based local transit service is coming to Milpitas September 15. Simple Mobile Access to Reliable Transit (SMART) will provide convenient, affordable, and on-demand connections to the Great Mall, City Hall, Milpitas Transit Center, VTA light rail stations and other locations.

SMART service will be available Monday to Friday 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM via ADA-accessible mini-vans. Regular adult fare will be $2.50 per ride, but the City will offer a reduced fare of $1.00 per ride for youth, disabled, and low-income riders. Maximum wait times will be between 10 and 15 minutes. Visit milpitas.gov/smart for details. 

The County of Santa Clara and the Enterprise Foundation are again accepting applications for the Microbusiness Grant Program, which will grant $2,500 to qualified businesses affected by COVID-19. The application portal will be open until the funds are exhausted. Grants must be awarded by November 30, 2022.

Microbusinesses must have made less than $50,000 in total revenue (not net) in each of the last three years to qualify for the $2,500 grant. The business also needs to be operating in 2022, had been open in 2019, been negatively impacted by COVID-19, and have less than five employees. Eligible Microbusinesses can apply at Program’s website. The application is available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. 

Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee

The Small Business Finance Center’s Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program was created to help businesses recover from a declared disaster. Loan guarantees help mitigate barriers to capital for small businesses that have suffered a loss (either physical or economic) due to a disaster. Loans help businesses remain solvent during an extremely difficult time and eventually recover from their losses. Visit the California Infrastructure & Economic Development Bank (IBank) for eligibility, how to apply and more.

Climate Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund

IBank’s Climate Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund jumpstarts critical climate solutions through flexible, low-cost credit and credit support to help bridge the financing gap for advanced technologies for scaling into the marketplace. Eligible projects include:

• Farm and food processing renewable energy
• Energy, water, and materials efficiency
• Methane reduction projects
• Energy storage or microgrids
• Equipment replacement

Both private-and public-sector businesses can apply. Visit the Climate Catalyst Program for more information.

In this four-session accelerator module, you will:

• Better understand your business’ funding needs
• Know sources of capital that might help you start or grow
• Learn to plan for financial success as an entrepreneur
• Identify information to develop or obtain needed capital

Sessions are scheduled for September 13, 15, 20 and 22. Register here.

Contact the Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center for details.

Housing Community Workshop - September 13

Learn about the City’s plan for housing in Milpitas at the next Housing Community Workshop on September 13. The City’s Housing Element is part of the City’s General Plan 2040. State law requires cities to update their Housing Elements every eight years. The Housing Element Update would plan for Milpitas’ projected housing needs between 2023 and 2031.

At this virtual workshop, learn about and provide feedback on the Public Draft Housing Element and prioritization of the City's housing program.

          How to Participate

1. View the Public Draft Housing Element
2. Take the survey 
3. Register for workshop

If you have questions or need assistance, please visit our website or contact the Office of Economic Development via email. Assistance is available in English, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and other languages. The pandemic has created hardship for Milpitas families and businesses alike. Please know that we stand with you as you navigate your way out of the pandemic.

City of Milpitas 

Crossroads of Silicon Valley