Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program

Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program is sponsored by City of Huntington Beach and Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Offers digital marketing grants to eligible brick-and-mortar businesses in Huntington Beach to enhance their online presence.

City of Huntington Beach — Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program - OCIE SBDC Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program The City of Huntington Beach has partnered with the Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to develop the Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program for eligible, brick-and-mortar commercial businesses located in Huntington Beach.

Build your digital footprint with the Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program. Businesses may be eligible to receive a digital marketing grant of $1,000 following the three-week training program. The grant must be used for a paid digital/online advertising campaign.

Take advantage of this opportunity to elevate your business! Must be a brick-and-mortar commercial business, physically located in Huntington Beach; Must have a current City of Huntington Beach business license on file.

Cannabis-related businesses, gambling facilities, adult entertainment businesses, massage parlors, non-profits, and largely cash-based businesses are not eligible; Residential or real estate projects including short-term rental operators are not eligible; As of January 1, 2026, 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); Must be in good standing with the City (current on bills, no liens or judgements, etc.); Must submit the application and all required supporting documentation.

The Business understands the grant is distributed as part of a three-week digital marketing training program. Attend one-on-one consulting session with SBDC. Application Process and Timeline Apply online via the form below beginning Monday, April 13 at 8 a.

m. Applications close Sunday, April 26 at 11:59 p. m.

Meet all program eligibility requirements; SBDC will review the application for completeness and eligibility. Once conditional eligibility is confirmed, applicant must submit all required documentation through the portal. Applicants notified and program participation confirmed.

Training Program Schedule Session 1: Wednesday, May 20 from 2 to 4 p. m. (Virtual) Session 2: Wednesday, May 27 from 2 to 4 p.

m. (Virtual) Session 3: Wednesday, June 3 (Location to be announced) In addition, the applicant must attend the virtual Surf City Small Business Digital Grant Program sessions to receive these funds. Any use of funding other than for paid advertising is strictly prohibited.

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. Application opens April 13, 2026.

City of Huntington Beach — Surf City Small Business Digital 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.