Community Development Department
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Dear Business Community,
Congress passed the much-needed new stimulus bill to aid small businesses and President Trump is expected to sign the legislation soon. Should the aid be passed, the small-business loan program funding is expected to go quickly.
Business owners can maximize their chance of receiving one of the
federally-backed loans
by getting their paperwork together
now
. If you are considering applying for the Small Business Administration (SBA)
Paycheck Protection Program
(PPP), connect with a lender as soon as possible.
We encourage you to take full advantage of
business resources
during these challenging times while State and local governments work together to prepare for a safe recovery. Please continue to stay safe during this time and abide by the social distancing orders provided by the Ventura County Public Health Department.
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Ventura County Public Health Stay Well at Home Order Updated, April 20th
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The
County of Ventura issued an update to the
Stay Well at Home
Order on April 20th.
- Only businesses deemed essential are allowed to operate
- Home-based businesses may operate as long as individuals are working solely in their own homes
- Public and private golf courses may reopen with restrictions
- Bike shops and auto dealerships may perform sales in person with social distancing measures
Businesses are required to complete and post the Social Distancing Protocol form
here
.
Read the Order in its entirety
here
.
The list of Essential Businesses is
here
.
The Ventura County Public Health Order will continue to be in effect through May 15, 2020.
Questions regarding business compliance? Contact Ventura County COVID-19 Business Compliance by email at
CovidCompliance@Ventura.org
or call (805) 202-1805 between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday.
Se habla espanol.
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Senate and House Pass $484 Billion COVID-19 Aid, President Expected to Sign the Legislation
Expands Small Business Loan Program
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The new $484 Billion federal aid package for additional coronavirus relief was passed by the Senate on Tuesday, and passed by the House today. The legislation will go to the desk of President Trump for signature.
The package includes:
- $310 Billion allocated for the SBA Paycheck Protection Program ($60 billion of which is set aside for smaller insured deposit institutions, credit unions, and community development finance institutions)
- $10 Billion for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Grants
- $50 Billion for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans
- $2.1 Billion to SBA for salaries and expenses
- $75 Billion to HHS Public health and social services emergency funds for health care providers and coronavirus response
- $25 Billion to HHS public health and social services emergency fund for testing, contact tracing, etc.
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Insurance Companies to Refund Premiums to Drivers and Businesses Affected by the COVID-19 Emergency
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On April 13, 2020, Commissioner Lara and the California Department of Insurance ordered insurance companies to return premiums to consumers and businesses paid for at least the months of March and April — including the month of May if “shelter in place” restrictions continue — in at least six different insurance lines: private passenger automobile, commercial automobile, workers' compensation, commercial multi-peril, commercial liability, medical malpractice, and any other insurance line where the risk of loss has fallen substantially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the press release
here
.
The Commissioner's
Bulletin
requires insurance companies to provide a premium credit, reduction, return of premium, or other appropriate premium adjustment as soon as possible, and no later than August 2020.
For questions about other lines of insurance including health and business click
here
.
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City of Oxnard Gives Businesses Temporary Relief from Certain Zoning Ordinance Restrictions
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Tents and Canopies Essential Business Curbside Pickups
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All essential businesses as defined by the Ventura County Public Health Officer may set up tents and/or canopies (the “Tent”) to aid in curbside pickups on private property, but not in the public right-of-way.
The purpose of the Tent shall be to shelter goods and personnel from the sun and weather, and to clearly identify where curbside pickups are to occur. Outdoor sales and the display of merchandise are not permitted from the Tent, as the intent of this Order is to allow for the flow of goods and not the congregation of persons.
Read the full text of the City of Oxnard's Emergency Director Order
here
.
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“Open for Business” Essential Business Signage
All essential businesses as defined by the Ventura County Public Health Officer may install temporary "Open for Business" signs subject to the provisions in the Order.
Facade signs
: Combined sign area of all temporary signs placed on a facade / fascia per business on a single property shall not exceed two square feet for each foot of street frontage, with a maximum of 32 square feet of combined facade signage.
Window signs:
Combined sign area of all temporary signs placed upon a window and any other window signs shall not exceed 33% of the window area. (This is in addition to facade signs)
Read about the signage size, text, location, and time provisions in the Order
here
.
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Key take-aways from webinars this week:
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- Stay Engaged. Now is the time to use your website and social media to connect with the community. Continue to get your company name out there by volunteering, building relationships, and maintaining business-to-business relationships with vendors, industry colleagues and lenders.
- Ecommerce businesses: Make sure your online house is in order; scams and cybersecurity are an increased concern.
- California Insurance Commissioner encourages businesses to review their insurance policy and declarations page and to file a formal claim with their insurer even if they say its excluded.
- Good recordkeeping is vital. Organize and keep all relevant records relating to claims for government benefits or any loss your business may have incurred.
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For a list of webinars discussing various topics pertaining to COVID-19
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Business Assistance
Economic Development Collaborative
If you are a current EDC SBDC client, call the Business Resource Hotline at 805.409.9159 to schedule an appointment with an advisor.
If you are
not
a current EDC SBDC client, sign up for an appointment
here
.
Women's Economic Ventures
WEV Response Line 805.456.2342
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Asistencia en
Español
Consiga consultoría gratis para negocios:
Economic Development Collaborative
Hable a la Linea Directa de Recursos para Negocios al 805.309.5874
para hablar con un asesor de negocios biling
ü
e.
Women's Economic Ventures
Hable a la linea de respuestas en espa
ñ
ol,
805.908.0096
Visite a WEV en linea
aqui.
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Our Economic Development staff is available to assist you.
The Community Development Department continues to be open remotely for business; visit
us
online
.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
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