City receives $2.7 million in business relief funds from County of Orange

The City of Costa Mesa on Tuesday June 2 received approximately $2.7 million from the County of Orange that will be earmarked to businesses operating within the city that have been financially affected by the coronavirus pandemic that forced the shutdown of the economy.

“We are grateful for the strong partnerships with our business community during this unprecedented pandemic,” Mayor Katrina Foley said. “Working together we will reopen safely so that customers return as the crisis looms on.  Our small businesses need our help now more than ever. These funds will help them offset the costs of reopening and all the new safety equipment and protocols. We remain confident that we will come back better than before and reStore Costa Mesa’s vibrant economy.”

The money the city will receive comes from $75 million in funding the county received from the federal CARES act relief fund that is being distributed to the five districts in the county, with each district receiving $15 million.

Second District Board Member and Board Chairwoman Michelle Steel committed to allocating $15 million directly to the cities in her District and presented the money to Mayor Foley at the County Administration offices on June 2.

City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison echoed Foley’s remarks.

“We are grateful to the county for allocating these funds to our businesses,” Farrell Harrison said. “Our Costa Mesa business community needs resources to recover and this money comes at a critical time as they prepare to reopen fully. Special thanks to Chairwoman Steel and County CEO Frank Kim for their leadership in helping businesses in Costa Mesa and the county get back on their feet.”

Chairwoman Steel issued this statement.

“I trust that city governments have a better understanding of the needs of their local business community,” said Chairwoman Steel.  “For that reason, I will be allocating my share of the $15 million directly to the cities in my district.”