Draft Retail Cannabis Community Benefits Program
EDHPM Standing Committee
May 13, 2026
Program Funding Mechanism
1% of Retail Cannabis Gross
Sales dedicated to the
San Pablo Community
Benefit Program
$25k-$50k per retailer annually
0.5% → City
Authorized Revolving
Loan Fund (RLF) for
Small Businesses in
San Pablo
0.5% → Non-Profit
providing support &
services in San Pablo
Program Funding Mechanism
1% of Retail Cannabis Gross
Sales dedicated to the
San Pablo Community
Benefit Program
$25k-$50k per retailer annually
0.5% → City
Authorized Revolving
Loan Fund (RLF) for
Small Businesses in
San Pablo
0.5% → Non-Profit
providing support &
services in San Pablo
Revolving Loan Fund Overview
Self-replenishing capital pool
Flexible financing for small
businesses
Improve Beautification on
Commercial Corridors
Revolving Loan Fund Explained
Eligible Borrowers
Local businesses,
startups, nonprofits,
cooperatives
Priority for
equity-focused and
job-creating
businesses
Loan Types & Uses
Working capital
Equipment
Façade
improvements
Construction &
acquisition
City to retain a Qualified A Community
Development Financial Institution (CDFI)
to Administer the Program
A CDFI is a specialized, private-sector financial institution certified by the U.S. Treasury Department to provide fair, responsible financing to underserved, low-income
communities.
They bridge gaps left by mainstream finance, offering loans, investments, and financial services to small businesses, nonprofits, and affordable housing projects.
Mission-Driven: Their primary goal is community development and economic revitalization rather than solely maximizing profit.
CDFIs include community development banks, credit unions, loan funds, and venture capital funds.
CDFI Role
Loan origination & analysis
Loan servicing
Compliance & reporting
Financial management
Program coordination
Expected Outcomes
More accessible
capital
Job
creation/retention
Enhanced business
corridors
Program Governance
Quarterly/annual
reporting
Performance metrics
5-year evaluation
Timeline
Program
description
proposed to each
retailer, Q4 2025
MOU’s Signed by
Each Retailer,
Q2 2026
RFP for CDFI
Release: May 18,
2026
Questions due:
July 2, 2026
Proposals due:
July 23, 2026 Interviews TBD Launch planned
for early 2027
EDHPM Committee Direction
Affirm program structure
Support early-2027 launch
Questions