RESOLUTION NO. 2026-079
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FONTANA, CALIFORNIA APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CITY OF FONTANA BUSINESS ASSISTANCE LOAN PROGRAM AND GUIDELINES WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Fontana (the “City”) recognizes the vital role that businesses play in the economic health and vibrancy of the City; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that support and growth of existing businesses and attraction of new businesses is a key priority to aid economic development within the City; and WHEREAS, start-up costs are a necessary investment for businesses to remain competitive, attract customers, and enhance their operations, but can represent a significant financial burden, particularly for small or medium- sized enterprises; and WHEREAS, an inability to access affordable financing and/ or funding for start-up costs can be a barrier to business profitability, potentially leading to business closures, blight, or relocations outside the City; and WHEREAS, investment in physical spaces enhances aesthetic appeal of commercial areas, improves customer experience of residents and visitors to the City, and creates an overall more attractive environment; and WHEREAS, a thriving local business community incentivizes residents to dine and shop locally, and attracts visitors to the City; and WHEREAS, a strong local business community supports the City and its residents through the availability of quality businesses close to home, and through tax revenue remaining within the City; and WHEREAS, the City seeks to establish the Fontana Business Assistance Loan Program (the “Program”) to provide financial assistance to eligible businesses for start-up costs, including equipment, appliances, and furniture; and WHEREAS, the Program is intended to enhance the economic vitality of the City by supporting small businesses located within the downtown Fontana core; and WHEREAS, the Program is further intended to aid in the City's economic development goals by creating and retaining jobs within the City, increasing property values and tax revenues, revitalizing commercial corridors and neighborhoods, encouraging new and innovative businesses within the downtown Fontana area contributing to the culture of the City, and improving the overall business climate and quality of life in the City; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that providing financial assistance for start-up costs constitutes a valid public purpose by promoting the above stated objectives; and WHEREAS, the City Council now desires to adopt and implement the Fontana Business Assistance Loan Program Guidelines (“Guidelines”) attached as Exhibit A and establish the Program and provide an aggregate, not-to-exceed total of $1,500,000 of Capital Reinvestment (Fund 601) Project #30100004-601-A dollars for loans under the Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Fontana, California, as follows:
Section 1. The true and correct recitals above are incorporated by this reference herein as the basis and foundation for the City's adoption of this Resolution.
Section 2. The City’s adoption and implementation of the Program is not a project for the purposes of the California Environemental Quality Act (CEQA) (Pub. Res. Code, §§ 21000 et seq.) in that there is no possibility that the Program will cause a direct physical change in the environment or reasonably foreseeable indirect change in the environment, and is further exempt pursuant to the “common sense” exemption, in that it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that adoption and implementation of the Program and Guidelines may have a significant effect on the environment. (Pub. Res. Code, § 21065; CEQA Guidelines, § 15061.) Section 3. The City Manager or designee shall be responsible for administration and implementation of the Program, including approving and denying loan applications and agreements consistent with the Guidelines, and all other purposes authorized by the Guidelines.
Section 4. The City Clerk shall attest and certify to the passage and adoption of this Resolution and it shall become effective immediately upon its approval.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 14th day of July 2026
READ AND APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
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City Attorney
I, Germaine Key, City Clerk of the City of Fontana, and Ex-Officio Clerk of the City Council, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is the actual resolution duly and regularly adopted by the City Council at a regular meeting held on the 14th day of July 2026, by the following vote to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
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City Clerk of the City of Fontana
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Mayor of the City of Fontana
ATTEST:
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City Clerk of the City of Fontana
EXHIBIT A
FONTANA BUSINESS ASSISTANCE LOAN PROGRAM GUIDELINES
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Resolution No. 2026-079