Main Street Digital Training and Grant Program (Lake Forest)

Main Street Digital Training and Grant Program (Lake Forest) is sponsored by City of Lake Forest. This program educates businesses on effective digital marketing strategies and how to enhance their social media and online presence. Participants who complete the program receive a grant to invest in digital advertising campaigns.

City of Lake Forest — Main Street Digital Training & Grant Program - OCIE SBDC The City of Lake Forest has partnered with the Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to develop the Main Street Digital Training & Grant Program, which provides training and financial support to businesses in Lake Forest. Expand your online presence and grow your business.

Take advantage of this opportunity to elevate your business!

The Business applicant must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for grant funding: The Business must be a brick-and-mortar commercial business, physically located in Lake Forest; The Business must have completed the City’s voluntary Business Registration Form ; Cannabis-related businesses, gambling facilities, adult entertainment businesses, massage parlors, and largely cash-based businesses are not eligible; Residential or real estate projects including short-term rental operators are also not eligible; As of November 1, 2025, the Business must have at least a minimum of two employees — which may also include the owner — and no more than twenty-five full-time equivalent employees (two part-time employees equal one full-time employee); The Business must be in good standing with the City (current on bills, no liens or judgements, etc.); The Business must be in compliance with any City permit or license requirements applicable to the Business; The Business must submit the application and all required supporting documentation.

City employees and elected and appointed officials are not eligible to participate in this program. Application Process and Timeline Apply online via the form below between January 12, 2026 and February 1, 2026. Meet all program eligibility requirements; SBDC will review the application for completeness and eligibility.

Applicants will be notified of their selection status via email, phone, and/or letter. Selected applicants must submit all required documentation through portal by 5 p. m.

on February 20, 2026. Applicants attend the four training sessions. All training sessions will be held on Zoom from 10 a.

m. to noon on the following dates: Session 2: March 11, 2026 Session 3: March 18, 2026 Session 4: March 25, 2026 The City will disburse fifteen $1,000 grants, a total of $15,000, to fifteen eligible Businesses. Applications will be approved on a first-come first-serve basis and will be vetted by both the SBDC and the City of Lake Forest in order to ensure that applicants meet the outlined requirements.

The City anticipates the number of applications will exceed the amount of funding available for disbursement. As a result, the City will implement a lottery system for all eligible Businesses if necessary. Eligible Activities (Use of Funds) In addition, the applicant cannot use these funds for paid advertising costs that have been or will be reimbursed or recovered through other funding programs.

Applications Open January 12, 2026 City of Lake Forest — Main Street Digital Training & Grant Program Mike Daniel is the network director of the Orange County Inland Empire SBDC Network, which assists aspiring entrepreneurs and current business owners throughout Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Mike was formerly the director of the SBDC office at Long Beach City College.

As business owner and entrepreneur himself, he started his career as the owner of a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory location in Manhattan Beach and went on to open a second location in Long Beach in 2001. In 2007, Mike sold the Manhattan Beach store for an above-market offer then invested in several additional locations as a minority shareholder.

Mike further expanded his candy empire with venture located in Shoreline Village in Long Beach called Sugar Daddies Sweet Shoppe, based on fill-it yourself candy options. Mike has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton.