Tech for Accessibility, Cybersecurity, and Workforce Development Reimbursement Program

The City of Westminster has partnered with the Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to develop the Tech for Accessibility, Cybersecurity, and Workforce Development Reimbursement Program, which supports small business technological growth.

Grow your technological infrastructure.

The Tech for Accessibility, Cybersecurity, and Workforce Development Reimbursement Program supports businesses in enhancing accessibility, strengthening cybersecurity, and implementing workforce technology to modernize IT infrastructure or training programs. Participants will be eligible to receive up to a $1,000 reimbursement grant to invest in their business. Twenty reimbursement grants are available.

Take advantage of this opportunity to elevate your business!

Eligibility

Retail, restaurants, service-oriented, and direct-to-consumer business.

  • Must have a commercial brick-and-mortar business located within the city boundaries (no residential addresses, PO Box, or Home Occupations)
  • Must hold an active business license, minimum 1 year prior to program application
  • Minimum of 2 employees, 1099 acceptable
  • Attend Westminster Business Summit with Vendor Fair
  • Attend one-on-one consulting session with SBDC
  • Submit proof of purchase of approved equipment/proposal
  • Business may apply for one grant in each category, priority given to first time recipients

Application Process and Timeline

  1. Apply online via the form below beginning February 27, 2025.
  2. Meet all program eligibility requirements; SBDC will review the application for completeness and eligibility.
  3. Once conditional eligibility is confirmed, applicant must submit all required documentation through the portal.
  4. Applicants notified and program participation confirmed.
  5. Submit proof of Purchase of approved equipment/proposal.

Suggested Use of Funds

  • Installing voice recognition systems
  • Providing website accessibility tools (WCAG compliance)
  • Assistive tech for customer service
  • Training workshops
  • Courses for software use (Excel, QuickBooks, cloud platforms)
  • Digital marketing certifications
  • Purchase of cybersecurity software
  • Secure data storage
  • Network security services
  • Staff cybersecurity training

Application – Opens February 27, 2025

City of Westminster — Tech for Accessibility, Cybersecurity, and Workforce Development Reimbursement

Mike Daniel is the network director of the Orange County Inland Empire SBDC Network, which assists aspiring entrepreneurs and current business owners throughout Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Mike was formerly the director of the SBDC office at Long Beach City College. As business owner and entrepreneur himself, he started his career as the owner of a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory location in Manhattan Beach and went on to open a second location in Long Beach in 2001. In 2007, Mike sold the Manhattan Beach store for an above-market offer then invested in several additional locations as a minority shareholder. Mike further expanded his candy empire with venture located in Shoreline Village in Long Beach called Sugar Daddies Sweet Shoppe, based on fill-it yourself candy options.

Mike has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton.