Estelle Bussa,
City of Ventura Economic Development Manager
Business Updates For October 1, 2020
County of Ventura Meeting State Reopening Metrics Poised To Enter Red Tier In One Week

On Tuesday, September 29, 2020, the State of California announced that the County of Ventura has met the State COVID-19 metrics for one week. If the County meets the metrics for an additional week, the State will allow the County to move into the Red Tier of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. The County anticipates that establishment in the Red Tier would become effective starting Tuesday, October 6, 2020.
Once in the Red Tier, personal care services, restaurants, places of worship, movie theaters, gyms and fitness centers, along with museums, zoos and aquariums will be able to open for indoor operations with modifications.

  • Stores with indoor operations that are open in the Purple Tier can increase indoor capacity to 50% in the Red Tier.
  • Restaurants can open indoors at 25% capacity.
  • Places of worship, higher education, and zoos and museums can open indoor operations at 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is less.
  • Fitness centers and gyms will be able to offer indoor operations at 10% capacity.

Please refer to the Blueprint Activity & Business Tiers Chart to reference how each business industry aligns within each of the 4 tiers.
Housing Is Key Website Launched To Inform Tenants & Landlords

Governor Gavin Newsom recently launched the “Housing is Key” website aimed at connecting renters and landlords experiencing economic hardship due to COVID-19 with helpful information and resources.

The purpose of the website is to assist tenants, landlords, homeowners, legal assistance and community-based organizations in understanding the current protections available to help households remain housed. This website includes protection guidelines, forms and other resources.
City of Ventura To Resume Parking Meter Fees In Downtown Area

Starting Tuesday, October 13, 2020, the City of Ventura will resume collecting regular parking fees for on-street, metered parking in Downtown Ventura. Enforcement of fee payment will also resume.

Paid parking rates of 50-cents per hour will be collected along Palm Street, Oak Street, California Street, Chestnut Street, Fir Street, and Main Street. Along the metered parking streets, two ADA parking spaces will be made available for those with disabilities, and spaces will be designated for to-go or pick-up orders.

For contactless parking payments, download the free ParkMobile app. ParkMobile makes it easy to find, reserve, and pay for parking on any mobile device. Drivers can set up alerts via email, text message, or in-app notifications to remind them when their parking time is about to expire without running back to feed the meter. To learn more or download the ParkMobile app, visit parkmobile.io. Other fees may apply.
Starting September 19, Unemployment Claims On Hold For Two Weeks

The EDD will not be accepting new unemployment claims for 2 weeks while they revamp their system and catch up on the backlog of cases. They are working on implementing a new program to help eliminate fraud in the system.

For more information, please click on the link below to view the EDD press release.
Temporary Outdoor Business Expansion Program

Businesses interested in expanding their business operations onto sidewalks, private parking spaces/lots and some sections of the public-right-of-way as part of the city's Temporary Outdoor Business Expansion Program are encouraged to visit the city's website for more information on program requirements and how to apply.
EDC Webinar "Creative Solutions for Commercial Landlords and Tenants During COVID-19". If you missed the free webinar, you can view the recorded presentation HERE.

The webinar covered commercial leasing and finding creative solutions to tenant-landlord disputes during COVID-19 with partners and associate attorneys from Myers, Widders, Gibson, Jones, & Feingold. Their excellent panel with extensive experience in lease negotiation, civil litigation, and resolving business disputes reviewed:  
  • Lease provisions during COVID-19
  • The September eviction moratorium
  • Effect of bankruptcies on commercial tenancies
  • Strategies to achieving win-win solutions for both tenants and landlords

Weekly: Monday & Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.
The SBDC is providing Monday and Wednesday webinars for the Small Business Community on information as it relates to funding information during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Topics will include Economic Injury Disaster Loan, Payroll Protection Program, Disaster Bridge Loan, 7a Forgiveness Program, and other funding opportunities for your business.

Wednesday, October 7, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Join WEV for a free webinar titled "Co-Hosting for the Holidays - Virtual & Hybrid Event Trends to Boost Sales." Join us for this interactive WEVWorks webinar and explore creative ways to work together, connect with others in the WEV community to increase your audience, and provide engaging experiences both virtually and in person this Holiday season. We will will review virtual and hybrid event trends that can help you boost sales and audience, with the main theme being COLLABORATION.

Wednesday, October 7, 10:30 a.m.
Join SCORE for a free webinar titled "Digital Marketing During COVID-19." The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath are going to continue to cause major disruptions for businesses across the country and change consumer buying behavior indefinitely. This is a pivotal time to invest your energy and efforts into building a digital marketing strategy.

Tuesday, October 13, 10:30 a.m.
Join SCORE for a free webinar titled "Quickbooks Online and Best Accounting Practices for Small Businesses". This live, interactive webinar’s sessions are designed to help you understand the features, functions and benefits of QuickBooks Online for small business owners as well as assist you in implementing accounting best practices to manage your business finances including COVID-19 Funds and Forgiveness.

Thursday, October 15, 10:00 a.m.
Join SCORE for a free webinar: "Getting Started with Email Marketing + List Building Ideas". Email marketing is a powerful way to leverage your current customers, referral sources and supporters. Email Marketing will help you to stay top-of-mind, and create action. We will look at best practices and some list building idea as well as discuss real-world examples to help you generate ideas for your business.

Wednesday, November 4, 10:30 a.m.
Join SCORE for a free webinar titled "Four Digital Marketing Strategies to Improve Your Google Ranking". Learn our top four strategies that impact your Google ranking, including the importance of having your business show up in local search results and how you can leverage online reviews to attract more customers.

We've created a central location for you to get print and digital Coronavirus COVID-19 design resources from local, state, and national agencies. This toolkit includes social media graphics and printed materials available for download. Click HERE.
CITY OF VENTURA
501 Poli St, Ventura, CA 93001
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