COVID-19 Response Update | New Businesses | Employment Trends | Other Special Updates
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The June 2020 edition of the monthly newsletter contains important information and resources related to COVID-19 that may be helpful to our entire business community, not just current subscribers. If you received this email, and are not already subscribed to our monthly ED Newsletter, but would like to receive our newsletter, please sign-up
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Here are a few important updates on response and relief efforts to address the impact of COVID-19 on our local business community.
CITY OF THOUSAND OAKS
Thousand Oaks City Council takes important additional steps to support the local business community:
During the May 26th City Council meeting, City Council voted unanimously in favor of multiple actions to support the local business community through this difficult period. These include:
- Directing City staff to promulgate rules to allow temporary expansion of restaurant footprints for outdoor dining and seating and waive certain municipal code requirements to support allowable business operations identified under the State's expanded Phase 2 of the resilience roadmap. Click here for more information.
- Extending the City’s commercial and residential eviction moratorium through June 30, 2020 or to a date adopted by the Governor of California but only if the Governor extends the State’s eviction moratorium previously ordered under N-28-20. (On May 29th, Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-66-20, allowing local eviction moratoriums to be extended through July 28, 2020. Read more here.)
- Approving a $20k donation to the Greater Conejo Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Relief Fund to support TO-Based businesses impacted by COVID-19. This program offers grants up to $2,500 for businesses with fewer than 25 employees. Learn more about the Chamber’s Small Business Relief Fund here.
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In addition, the City is currently working to develop a separate one-time Small Business Assistance Grant program for businesses impacted by COVID-19 using federal funding from the recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. More information will be available soon.
City’s COVID-19 Webpage:
The City continues to regularly update its COVID-19 webpage. It offers helpful information about City-specific actions taken and other pertinent information for both businesses and residents. See the webpage
here
.
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COUNTY OF VENTURA
County of Ventura enters approved to enter accelerated Stage 2 of reopening:
On May 20th, Ventura County became the first county in southern California to be approved to move further into State 2 of the state’s roadmap for reopening the economy. As a result, Ventura County restaurants may offer dine-in options, and hair salons and barbershops, provided they follow industry-specific guidance and complete the County’s attestation process prior to reopening. Read the press release
here
.
County of Ventura Public Health Order (Updates):
The County updated its Stay Well VC Safely Reopening Ventura County Health Order multiple times during the month of May. The most recent update to the Order took effect on May 29th. The updates to the County Order reflect changes the State Order, the County’s successful entrance into the accelerated State 2 reopening, and to provide additional clarity for local businesses and residents.
Read the most recent County Order
here
.
County Board of Supervisors approved $20 Million Economic Stabilization and Recovery Programs package:
On May 28th, the County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to direct County staff to finalize a financial relief program for families and businesses; including a small business grant program with $5,000 grants to alleviate impacts from COVID-19. See the press release
here
.
County’s 3-Step process for reopening (for eligible businesses)
:
- All businesses must establish, implement and enforce a site-specific prevention plan in accordance with the State of California COVID-19 industry or workplace-specific guidance and associated checklist found at https://covid19.ca.gov/roadmap/. (Guidance and checklists for accelerated Stage 2 business types can be found on the County by County page here: https://covid19.ca.gov/roadmap-counties/ )
- Prior to reopening, all businesses must register with the County and attest to their preparedness for safely reopening at: https://www.vcemergency.com/vc-reopens
- As a condition of operation, each business must post a written notice explaining how it will comply with Social Distancing Requirements in conspicuous places where it can easily be seen by employees and patrons of the business facility.
OTHER LOCAL RESOURCES:
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Note: The following new businesses have received final approvals from the City to open for business. However, due to the current COVID-19 health emergency, some may not yet be open to the public at this time.
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UCLA Health
UCLA Health opened another facility in the City located at 141 Triunfo Canyon Road.
(
link
)
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La Esquina Mexican Grill
La Esquina "The Corner" Mexican Grill is opening a location at 3297 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.
(link)
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Note: As expected, the economic impacts of COVID-19, including lay-offs and furloughs, have translated to a significant increase in unemployment rates.
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According to the California Employment Development Department, the preliminary Thousand Oaks April 2020 unemployment
rate is 12.9% (up from a revised 3.7% in March 2020). The City has a total of 62,200 in the labor force with 54,200 who are employed.
Even though the unemployment rate has increased, the City’s rate is the second lowest in the County behind City of Moorpark (12.8%).
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The California Labor Market report shows Ventura County’s April 2020 unemployment rate at 14.0% (up from a revised 4.7% in March 2020).
A total of 36,500 non-farm jobs were lost in April 2020. Job losses consisted of: 16,100 in leisure and hospitality; 6,700 in trade, transportation and utilities; 4,000 in educational and health services; 3,100 in professional and business services; 2,000 in government; 1,900 in other services; 1,000 in construction; 900 in information; and 800 in manufacturing. The only industry that did not lose any jobs were those in financial activities.
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TO Blvd. Streetscape Project
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New improvements on TO Blvd are moving along. The project, which extends from east of Zuniga Ridge Place to the west of Erbes Road, will include street regrading and repaving, new sidewalks, crosswalks, trees, pedestrian lights, a traffic signal, and traffic lane modifications. The work also includes replacement of aging and undersized watermains, water service lines and valves. Learn more about the project
here.
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Progress continues on the 2045 General Plan update. Check out the new website at
toaks2045.org
for information about the effort and other upcoming engagement opportunities.
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2020 Census Self-Response Rates
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Census data helps government and the business community make informed decisions. Learn more
here
.
As of May 31st, Thousand Oaks' self-response rate increased to 76.2%! By comparison, Ventura County's self-response reached 69.7%, and statewide self-response increased to 61.6%.
Track self-response rates for yourself
here
.
Your personal information is safe, secure, and protected by federal law. Answers can only be used to produce statistics and cannot be used against you in any way. For more information specific to Ventura County, visit:
http://census.ventura.org/
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[CITY OF THOUSAND OAKS] [2100 E. THOUSAND OAKS BLVD 91362] [
www.toaks.org
]
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