News & Events from the Lafayette Chamber
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Jay Lifson, Executive Director
251 Lafayette Circle, Ste 150, Lafayette, CA
Virtual Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm, Friday 9am-1pm
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New Public Health Order to Take Effect Today, Monday, May 4
Contra Costa County issued a new Public Health Order this week that will extend the stay at home order put in place in mid-March to May 31. It also includes the easing of some restrictions and puts in place tools to strengthen containment of Covid-19. Starting on Monday, May 4, all construction activities, certain businesses that operate primarily outdoors, and some outdoor activities will resume with specific conditions. According to the County, this measured easing of some restrictions is designed to set the stage for a gradual resumption of activity and prevent rapid growth of Covid-19 cases in the community. You can read detailed FAQs about the Order
here and read the full Order
here.
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Facebook Live Event Wednesday with Mayor Mike Anderson and Supervisors Chair Candace Andersen
To answer your questions about the new Public Health Order, Lafayette Mayor Mike Anderson will be joined by Chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Candace Andersen for a Facebook Live event on
Wednesday, May 6, at 11am. Also on the broadcast will be an official from the Contra Costa Health Department, Lafayette City Manager Niroop Srivatsa, and Lafayette Police Chief Ben Alldritt. Please send your questions to Lafayette’s Communication Analyst, Jeff Heyman, at
jheyman@ci.lafayette.ca.us. You can also post questions live on Facebook during the broadcast. Participate in the event, Wednesday, May 6, at 11am, on Lafayette’s Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/lovelafayette.
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FREE Business Assistance offered by the City of Lafayette
The City of Lafayette has collaborated with us, the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and Townsend Public Affairs to launch the Lafayette Business Assistance Program, a way for Lafayette businesses and non-profits to get help on Small Business Administration (SBA) loan and grant applications. The City designed the program to make it as easy as possible for our businesses to get the support they need during the Covid-19 crisis. Find out more about the Lafayette Business Assistance program and how you can benefit on the
City's webpage here. Find out if you qualify for assistance by filling out the
Lafayette Business Verification Form.
Here’s a brief update on the progress of Lafayette Business Assistance (LBA) program last week:
Local Business Statistics:
- We’ve now connected with a total fifty-one (51) local small businesses who have registered with the LBA initiative.
- These 51 small community businesses reflect over 320 employees and independent contractors within the Lafayette community.
- The SBA has approved an additional $72,000 in Payroll Protection Program (PPP) funding to local Lafayette small businesses.
- To date, we have connected the Lafayette small businesses community to a confirmed total of $127,000 in federal funding and continue to guide them through funding agreements and compliance, ensuring that funds stay with Lafayette small businesses.
SBA Payroll Protection Program (PPP):
- SBA currently estimates that $90 million has been approved out of the $320 million in PPP funds replenished Monday 4/27/2020.
- We have received confirmation from multiple Lafayette businesses that they’re PPP applications have been sent by their lender to SBA for final approval.
- Confirmations include older applicants who have been waiting for over a month as well as newer applicant who applied in the last seven days.
- SBA recently gave small lenders and credit unions a dedicated time slot of eight hours on Wednesday 4/29/2020 to submit PPP applications. SBA is currently evaluating whether to use this method recurrently.
- All this suggests that stricter SBA guidance has been successful in forcing banks to serve community small businesses who truly need funding relief.
- SBA and the US Treasury Department are still finalizing official rules for the path to PPP loan forgiveness.
- SBA guidance confirms that while final rules are pending, small businesses are encouraged to utilize their PPP loans in good faith to maintain the livelihoods of their employees.
- We are monitoring SBA for final loan forgiveness rules and continue to provide troubleshooting for Lafayette business by reaching out directly to SBA staff.
SBA Emergency Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL):
- The SBA has resumed processing Lafayette EIDL applications already submitted on a first-come-first-serve basis.
- Although new applications are not yet being accepted, the SBA confirms that a reopening of applications is in progress.
- We are monitoring SBA’s progress and anticipate a reopening of applications in less than two weeks.
State and Foundation Support:
- All eligible LBA businesses have received guidance on how to apply for the COVID-19 Facebook Small Business Grant Program, open to Contra Costa applicants until 5/6/2020.
- All eligible LBA businesses will receive guidance on how to apply for the COVID 19 LISC Small Business Grant once applications are open after 5/14/2020.
- All 51 registered LBA businesses have been sent guidelines and best practices for the California Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) application process for their own use and for dissemination to their employees and independent contractors.
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Businesses Need to Post these Notices
There are two important documents you must have while doing business during the Shelter-In-Place period of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
- The first is a template for the SOCIAL DISTANCING PROTOCOL that every “essential” business must have in place by Friday, April 3, 2020. You must complete, post and implement a social distancing protocol for each facility that remains open, using this template.
- You must post the attached PDF as of April 1, 2020: The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act).
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Another Tool for your Business Tool Kit
The City of Lafayette and the Lafayette Chamber are at your service as we begin to re-open commercial businesses in Lafayette. As restrictions loosen, we have prepared “OPEN FOR BUSINESS” signs that will affix to traffic A-Frames. You will include your business name or logo and your hours of operation. We’ll deliver them to your business beginning Monday, May 3rd. Simply send a request to
jay@lafayettechamber.org, and state: Deliver a sign to (name of business). And if you can let us know what your hours of operations will be, we can add that to our website
“Who’s Open" page.
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Your Business and the SBA
We are reaching out to our chamber members to find out if you are participating in the SBA Loans and Grants. Would love to hear from you on how it is going!
Please share your good, bad or ugly story so we can better help you through the process. With the next phase of loans opening up, we don’t want you to be left behind. Please email
jay@lafayettechamber.org and share your experience so far.
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Business Resources
New Contra Costa Call Center Helps Small Businesses
A new call center is now available in Contra Costa County to connect businesses and workers with helpful federal, state and local programs. This includes providing resources and referrals on loans and grants, unemployment insurance, payroll subsidies, and other critical concerns. The line will help small businesses learn how to scale back or survive a temporary closure, and how to ramp back up as COVID-19 restrictions ease off.
The trained team who answer calls can also assist with tapping into programs to reduce utility costs, access online career training, and other business services. Small Business Call Number: 833-320-1919, 8:30am to 5pm - Monday through Friday
SCORE's Coronavirus Small Business Resource Hub
SCORE is committed to helping businesses like yours through the unprecedented challenges from the coronavirus outbreak. View resources, guidance, webinars, expert advice, and more in their
Coronavirus Small Business Resource Hub. Upcoming webinars include: May 5: CARES Act in Simple Terms - How to Know Which Programs are Right for Your Business and May 7: Navigating Long-Term Uncertainty and the Aftermath of Disruption; May 12: The 4 Key Things Business Owners Should Be Focused on Right Now
Webinar Recording: Steering Your Business in the Face of the Pandemic
Last week we hosted an excellent webinar on how to navigate your business through the Covid-19 crisis. The webinar was conducted by the
DLHA Law Group and helps businesses survive in this changing legal landscape. Chock full of detailed information, the webinar will help you determine the next course of action with practical, business-oriented solutions to issues related to the Covid-19 public health emergency.
Watch the webinar here.
State Senator Steve Glazer's Virtual Town Hall Meetings
Recent topics you can listen to include What's In The New Stay-At-Home Order? April 30, Are Nursing Homes Safe? April 28, Is the Fresh Food Supply Chain Breaking Down? April 23. Access the Town Halls
here.
Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (AD-16): Lamorinda Tele-Town Hall & Archives
Exec. Director Jay Lifson leads a Chamber that is one of the most active in the State. Jay talks about how the Chamber supports local business, current programs and pain points, including the Covid-19.
Listen here >>
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The Lamorinda Spirit Van
The Lamorinda Spirit Van is working with Lafayette essential businesses, the C.C. Café, Choice Lunch, and Lamorinda Village to help Lamorinda older adults, age 60+, secure those items they need delivered. Lafayette essential businesses, including Lafayette restaurants, stores, and pharmacies among others, are invited to email:
dispatch@lovelafayette.org
or call 925-283-3534 to request that the Lamorinda Spirit Van deliver orders to Lamorinda older adults. The delivery is free.
Dispatch will respond to phone calls and emails from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Our Driver will pick-up the orders for delivery from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on a first come, first served basis. His shift ends at 6:00 p.m.
If you know a Lamorinda Spirit older adult who needs our assistance, please email their name, address and/or phone number so that we can contact them or mail a more detailed letter.
If you are making masks, the Lamorinda Spirit will deliver them to older Lamorinda adults, age 60+, that request them.
If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the Lamorinda Spirit Van, please make the check out to: City of Lafayette, and mail to: Lamorinda Spirit, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary’s Road, Lafayette, CA 94549 and write “Lamorinda Spirit” on the memo line. Thank you for supporting this much needed program.
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Lamorinda Cities Launch Covid-19 Community Information Portal
The Lamorinda Cities and Fire Districts in cooperation with Bay Area-based Zonehaven have released the Covid-19 Community Information Portal at
https://ccc.community.zonehaven.com
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The portal allows residents to locate Covid-related resources in and around Lamorinda. Residents can find information about medical offices, social services, food (groceries and take-out), parks and recreation opportunities, pet services and home/auto supplies by visiting the portal. If they enter a home address, they can create a list of services organized by distance from home. Clicking on a business or service in the list locates the business on a new map and provides a link to create directions using the Waze application.
The intent of the portal is to continue to support our residents during the stay at home order and make finding community resources easier. The portal also provides links to Covid-19 information from the State of California and Contra Costa County Health Services.
If any non profits/organizations could be listed as COVID-19 resources, they can be added to the Zonehaven website map, even if they are outside of Lafayette. Contact Duncan Seibert at
manager@lamorindacert.org
for additional information.
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A Message from Barbara Gilmore...
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My Dear Chamber Members,
I hope you are all surviving through this terrible pandemic crisis and taking full advantage of the programs available to you such as the Payroll Protection Plan and the Small Business Resource Center within the City of Lafayette. The Chamber will continue to communicate with you as we all seek to exit this emergency with our businesses intact.
I want to share with you that in February I handed in my retirement notice as the Director of Membership Services for the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. My last day will be this coming Thursday. While I will miss the Chamber (greatly) I look forward to spending more time with my family, friends and hope to travel as soon as permitted.
The last fourteen years working with you has been a very gratifying journey. I have met many wonderful people, who like my colleagues in the Chamber, share my enthusiasm and optimism for local business. I have also been fortunate to work with Jay, the Chamber staff and the Board of Directors. They are amazing! Please continue to lean on them to provide any support you may need.
It has been an absolute pleasure to work with you. I extend to you all a heartfelt thanks for the opportunity and I wish you all the very best for the future.
I hope we will continue to stay connected when we return to our new normal!
Sincerely,
Barbara Gilmore
Photo: Barbara Gilmore, left with Leslie Noel (Peter Pan Foundation)
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Week 5 of the Community Can’t Be Canceled Campaign!
A huge thank you to the Acalanes Parents Club and the AHS Student Leadership Team for it’s Community Can’t be Canceled campaign!
The Acalanes Union High School District, Lafayette School District,
LPIE,
and the
Lafayette Community Foundation
are proud to join this effort to promote our Lafayette businesses during Shelter in Place.
Take a picture, post it on Instagram, tag us at @lafayettechamber_ca and @ahs_dons and use #lovelafayette.
Are you a Lafayette business interested in supporting this campaign?
Send us an email!
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Don't Miss the Cowgirls Riding through Town!
Monday May 11, starting at 11am
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The Lafayette Chamber is providing COVID-19 business and community resources through a number of channels. Please visit the following for further information:
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Please note, we have cancelled or postponed all in-person events through the end of June. This includes the postponement of the
Taste of Lafayette, Rock the Plaza concert series and all ribbon cuttings and mixers. See below for our virtual events!
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Noon Webinar Wednesdays -
Did you know: 84% of B2B purchase decisions begin with a referral?
Join us this
Wednesday, May 6 at 12 pm for Noon Webinar Wednesdays to learn Speed Networking Online BEFORE you attend one of our upcoming Networking MEGA Mixers Online. Click here to join me on
Zoom: Meeting ID: 415 781 9296 Password: 219761
There is no time better than now to work on building your business network to ensure success when things return to the new normal. Building these business relationships is vital and we'll help you get started right from your home office.
Free Speed-Networking
May 15, 2pm-4pm; limited to 100 + Online in Zoom Breakout Rooms.
Expand your network by engaging with B2B focused professionals on our engaging video meeting with breakout rooms hosted by Professional Speed Networker Ambassadors. Start building business relationships with people who may have clients that can use your services. These like-minded professionals may help you access key decision-makers. Watch this
2-minute video to Grow Your Business Quickly!
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Lafayette Glass has moved...
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Sparks Promotional Products/NeedleWorks Embroidery
Sparks Promotional Products/NeedleWorks Embroidery now has access to many different types of masks, hand sanitizers and N95 masks (when in stock). Many of the fabric masks can be imprinted or custom printed and the labels on the hand sanitizers can be custom printed as well. If you have interest in these products, please do not delay in placing an inquiry and order. The market is very volatile with items selling very quickly. Businesses may share their orders if they don't think they need the minimum quantities required. Many items can be drop shipped to employees working at home. However, remember that everyone will need more than one mask; at least one to wear each day for disposable ones. For the reusable ones, you will need at least one or two to wear and one to wash. If you have interest in a product please contact us for additional options.
View products >>
Have you been laid off or your employment terminated? Are your corporate benefits ending soon?
Steve Snyder, a licensed insurance agent with HealthMarkets Insurance Agency has been helping people that have lost their corporate benefits, to maintain their health, dental, vision, hearing and life insurance coverage, without having to rely on COBRA as an alternative.
All of our services are FREE to our clients. We compare all plans available in your area side-by-side to make sure we’re getting the best plan possible that both fit your needs and your budget. I look forward to helping and being of service for you and your family during this very different time in our lives. Stay inside, stay safe.
Steve Snyder – Licensed Insurance Agent CA 0H79427. Mobile: 510-599-4700
Certified Enrollment Agent – Covered California
Feed The Need - Matching Campaign - Partner with Moraga Kiwanis and help feed our community! The COVID 19 Pandemic has terribly impacted our community for those already challenged in securing the basics of shelter, food and health care, but now for so many previously self-supporting families and individuals who have lost their source of income. The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County, Monument Crisis Center in Concord and Meals on Wheels of CC County are three of our local organizations with long successful records of fighting hunger by putting food on the table for children, adults and the elderly in need. These agencies are experiencing an unprecedented demand for food and support and need our help to avoid turning away those in need. The Kiwanis Club has partnered with these agencies for years.
The Kiwanis Club of Moraga Valley Foundation is committed to help, and we’re asking those who are able, to help too. Hunger must not be a casualty of this pandemic. We will match tax-deductible donations up to a maximum of $30,000, and accept non-matching donations beyond this amount, during our fundraiser from April 30 to May 21. All donations will be distributed, equally to these three outstanding nonprofit agencies.
Go to
moragavalleykiwanis.org to learn more about this campaign and to make a donation, big or small. Thank you in advance for your generosity to help Feed The Need, by partnering with Kiwanis to help feed those in our community who are in peril, as we all step up to fight this pandemic, together.
Please Help the PPF!
The
Peter Pan Foundation remains strong; continuing to provide connection through our passionate and positive daily content and online engagement; peer support, philanthropic outreach, online interviews, virtual cab nights, long-distance connections, Zoom rehearsals, and the incredible upcoming Memorial Day Weekend extravaganza! We are working and wishing nonstop to provide all that we can for others, especially during these uncertain times. So, we are humbly-and with utmost gratitude-asking you to
consider making a donation to our PPF 2020 fundraiser-using the link below! Please help us to continue making magic, with you and for you. Every little bit helps. And you can help us in so many other ways!! Tell the world about PPF; share, post, shout it from the rooftops! Let everyone know about this beautiful foundation-like none other in the world-which wouldn’t be what it is without all of YOU.
Hospice East Bay and the Tree of Lights
Hospice East Bay is looking for a Tree of Lights Chair person to work with the Events Coordinator in setting up the event, day of support and over all liaison to help facilitate community engagement. We are also searching for sponsorships from Lafayette businesses. We offer a wide range of sponsorships to fit all sizes of businesses. Please email
annm@hospiceeastbay.org or call 925-499-6642 for more information or to answer any questions. Thank you in advance for your support.
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What does fiscal responsibility mean to me?
That is the question that Mercer Partners Wealth Management would like to pose to high school seniors. Answers must be submitted in a 300-500 word essay and received by Friday, May 8th.
Two winners will be awarded a $1000 college scholarship. (One entry per high school senior.) For more information and to download an application form, visit our website at
www.mercerpartnerswealth.com.
Completed entries may be mailed, faxed or emailed to: Mercer Partners Wealth Management, 1243 Alpine Road, Suite 219, Walnut Creek, CA 94596. (925) 932-4700, or email:
Jadi.S.Christiansen@lpl.com.
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Rail replacement in May near Orinda Station (first shutdown weekend 5/9-5/10)
BART is planning a track replacement project near the Orinda Station, which will require five weekend track shutdowns between the Lafayette and Rockridge stations. The shutdown weekends are May 9-10, May 23-25 (Memorial Day weekend), June 6-7, June 20-21, and July 4-5. Free buses will replace trains on those weekends and riders should expect delays of 20-25 minutes. AC Transit and County Connection buses have bike racks and expect to be able to accommodate all bicycles with the fleet that will be available.
The work will require temporary, late night and early morning lane closures of Highway 24 in Orinda to make way for construction equipment. Periodic overnight lane closures in Orinda will begin in late April. These overnight lane closures will involve no more than two lanes and are expected to have minimal impact on Highway 24 drivers. Unlike similar work completed last year in Lafayette, this project will NOT require daytime lane closures on Highway 24.
Learn more here >>
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From the Lafayette Library and Learning Center
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Night at the Library is now a "virtual" Moveable Feast!
Everyone in the family is invited to join us on
Saturday, May 30 at 7:00PM
for this one-hour LIVE event.
Attend Night at the Library from the comfort of your own home and bid on auction items, enjoy special guest appearances, feast on take-out from local restaurants, and show your support for the Lafayette Library and Learning Center.
Your donation makes it happen! Individual donations ensure that Library programs, classes, open hours, staff, and all the resources and opportunities you miss now will be waiting for you when the doors re-open.
Register TODAY!
Virtual Events through the Library!
John Muir Laws’ monthly Nature Journaling Workshops at Home
Spring into Reading Program
Don't miss this opportunity to read and learn for a chance to win an XBox One X! For every 10 minutes you read, you can enter the title of the book you're reading and log 1 point! For every challenge you complete, you can enter the title of the challenge and log 1 point! Once you log 24 points, you have reached the Spring Into Reading goal and will be entered into the drawing.
Click here to sign up today!
Online Storytime
We've really missed our storytime participants during the shelter-in-place! For now, online storytimes are available through the Contra Costa County Library's Facebook page. Every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am, your favorite storytellers from all the library branches will create impromptu storytimes featuring catchy singalongs, adorable puppets, and amazing reads.
Click here to join us!
We are all in this together.
Our LLLC Foundation team is working remotely. If you need assistance or have questions about Library and community resources, we’ll do our best to help. Email (
information@LLLCF.org
) or phone message (925-283-6513 ext. 102).
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Please note: to signup you will be asked for your birthdate. This information is not stored, it is only used for verify you are over 21 years of age.
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