Santa Maria small business owners, immigrant advocate organizations look forward to California COVID-relief package

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Central Coast business owners and nonprofits are excited to receive new benefits from a $7.6 billion dollar coronavirus relief package that will help low-income, undocumented and small business communities in California.

Small Santa Maria business owners like Rene Solis said he has had his business up and running for 10 years.

But like many others, his revenue has plunged during the pandemic.

“We probably already lost 45% of our business due to COVID,” said Solis.

Solis heard of the $7.6 billion Golden State Stimulus that Governor Gavin Newsom signed earlier this week and is hopeful it could help his business tremendously.

And Solis is not the only one; advocates like CAUSE feel the same way as help is on the way for the low-income and immigrant communities.

“Our immigrant and low-income families have deserved aid from the start,” said CAUSE Community Organizing Director Hazel Davalos. “Immigrant workers have been on the front line as essential workers since the pandemic struck.”

“We could use the money to pay rent and pay some of our employees here, you know?” said Solis. “Continue to get the business going.”

Advocates say they hope more help will continue to come in for the community.

For more information about the Golden Stimulus package, click here.