With the assistance of SBDC, this training program will assist brick-and-mortar businesses with “Creating a Digital Presence”. Each small business will learn how to set up an online profile through Google, reach out to customers for a Google review, and learn how to create and post on Facebook and/or Instagram. The program will also teach participants how to use paid and non-paid advertising to generate leads that turn into sales. The program will culminate with business owners receiving a small grant to put towards online advertising that will potentially generate customer traffic.

The program will consist of two steps. Step 1 will focus on building a digital presence over four weeks. Step 2 will cover the unique paid/non-paid advertising channels, helping each business decide what is the most beneficial path for them. All sessions will take place in a group format and will be coupled with individual one-on-one consulting with SBDC consultants. Sessions will occur in-person or virtually based on current health and safety protocols related to COVID-19 in place at the time of the session. Sessions conducted in additional languages will be provided separately on an as-needed basis. 

Each business owner will be assigned a SBDC business consultant to assist them with their paid advertising platform. The SBDC consultant will provide one-on-one assistance, customized to each business’ needs. The SBDC will continue to work with each client through the program and beyond. Every quarter, the SBDC will track and measure the success of each business as they deploy their marketing campaigns. The SBDC will track change in sales, jobs created, and increase in customer traffic.

To be eligible to apply for the Small Business Digital Marketing Program, a business must meet all of the following criteria:

• The business must be a for-profit business physically located in Buena Park; and
• The business must be located in a commercial or industrial space; and
• The business must have an active Buena Park business license for a minimum of six (6) months prior to application; and
• As of the prior calendar year, the business must have ten (10) or less employees (full time equivalent); and
• The business must be in good standing with the City (current on bills, no liens or judgements, etc.), unless directly correlated to COVID-19 impacts; and
• The business must submit the application and all required supporting
• City employees or elected and appointed officials are not eligible to participate in this program.

Businesses that have previously received alternative sources of funding such as the City of Buena Park Small Business Emergency Relief Grant, the Economic Injury Disaster loan (EIDL), or Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan are eligible to apply provided they also meet the criteria above.

Application/Documentation Requirements

The following documents must be submitted by for consideration of a grant request:

• Complete grant application and all of its attachments
• Active City of Buena Park Business License at least 6 months prior to the date of application
• Employment verification self-certification
• Copy of lease/grant deed demonstrating proof of commercial/industrial business address
• Documentation supporting proposed use of grant funds

Note: Additional documents may be required.

The funds must be used to develop a paid advertising campaign for the purpose of increasing an online presence and creating customer leads for the business. Each applicant will need to sign and verify that the use of funds will be spent on a paid advertising campaign, such as expressed above. Any use of funding other than for paid advertising is strictly prohibited. The business recipient shall keep documentation evidencing use of the Grant Funds and shall be required to submit a final report. The City may request to evaluate the business’s compliance with the program. If there is a remaining balance after six (6) months, the business will be required to return the funds to the City within sixty (60) days. If it is determined that the business did not expend the funds consistent with the Eligible Activities, it may constitute an Event of Default under the Grant Agreement.

In addition, the applicant cannot use these funds for paid advertising costs that have been or will be reimbursed or recovered through other funding programs.

The City reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion at any time to:

1. Amend or terminate this program;
2. Choose or reject any or all applications received in response to this program;
3. Modify the application deadlines;
4. Request additional information of the applicants, as deemed necessary and appropriate by the City;
5. Conduct further due diligence with applicants or any third party;
6. Modify the City’s objectives or the scope of the program;
7. Modify program requirements, general terms and conditions, or eligible activities and/or disqualify any proposing applicant on the basis of any real or perceived conflict of interest that is disclosed or revealed by materials submitted or by any data available to the

For assistance in completing the Small Business Digital Marketing Program and to set up a one-on-one consultation (at no cost), please contact the CSUF Small Business Development Center at:

Manal Richa
Director
CSUF SBDC
15375 Barranca Pkwy, Suite A111 Irvine, CA 92618
(800) 616-7232 office
Manal.Richa@ociesbdc.com

For questions or additional information regarding the Small Business Digital Marketing Program, please contact the following:

City of Buena Park
Economic Development Division
6650 Beach Boulevard Buena Park, CA 90622
(714) 562-3586