In December 2020, Supervisors Simitian and Ellenberg proposed a $100 million-dollar small business loan program. Small businesses across the County were facing the prospect of continued losses, layoffs, and bankruptcy, while they remained closed or in reduced operations due to the pandemic. Partnering with the “California Rebuilding Fund”, Santa Clara County small businesses were able to apply immediately for low-interest loans as a first step in a phased approach to a larger loan program.
