News from the City of Palm Desert

Palm Desert, CA: As part of its efforts to support local businesses, the City of Palm Desert recently unveiled its Unite Palm Desert Emergency Business Relief loan program, making an additional $500,000 available to its local businesses affected by recent COVID-related closures.

Up to 100 of the forgivable loans will be made in $5,000 increments. Loan applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis until loan funds are depleted. Click here for the complete program guidelines.

Businesses may apply for the loan program starting December 24, 2020 at 8 a.m. by submitting their completed application to [email protected].

Only businesses that face closure under the state’s Dec. 7, 2020 order are eligible to apply. Businesses on that list include restaurants (no outdoor dining), personal care services (hair and nail salons), car washes, animal grooming facilities, body piercing shops, massage therapy, electrologists, estheticians, skin care, and tattoo shops.

A current business license is required in order to qualify for the loan, which will not require repayment so long as the business remains in compliance with the state order for closure.

The Emergency Business Relief loan is just the latest component of Unite Palm Desert, a City-wide campaign to ensure that Palm Desert flourishes during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Other elements of Unite Palm Desert include rental assistance, essential needs/nonprofit support, and much more.

For more information about Unite Palm Desert, the Emergency Business Relief loan program, and other assistance for Palm Desert businesses, please call 760-776-6362 or email [email protected]. City Hall will be closed from Dec. 24, 2020 until Jan. 4, 2021. However, loan applications will be accepted via the email address, and will be time stamped in order of receipt.