Greater Sacramento COVID-19 Update
June 19, 2020
Good Afternoon,

We are beginning to see the Greater Sacramento region return to a sense of normal as restrictions are lifted and restaurants and salons open their doors. Businesses have quickly adapted to the necessary changes sparked by COVID-19. Gloves, masks and hand sanitizers are commonplace now. Cities and counties are working to give each business a fair shot at recovery - including permitting restaurants to extend to sidewalks to provide social distancing and a greater amount of patrons.

The wait for many of these businesses has been extremely difficult, and the journey toward economic recovery is going to be challenging. The Greater Sacramento Economic Council is tracking the changes in the workplace including the digitization of the workforce - and working to provide pathways to upskill our residents.

This week, we launched the first in a three-part series of webinars examining the future of information technology; if you missed it, I encourage you to watch the recording online and sign up for future programs. Stay safe and keep pushing forward. 

Thank you,
Barry
Take our follow-up COVID-19 business survey

GSEC has launched a follow-up survey to evaluate how businesses in Greater Sacramento are managing now that the state is advancing through its reopening phases.

In the news
Status Check: Health care hanging on

Comstock’s interviewed Barry in an article about how local healthcare providers are faring while the pandemic curtails their main sources of revenue.

Local company awarded government contract for COVID-19 testing

Gemini Bio just opened a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in West Sacramento, quadrupling its manufacturing capacity. Additionally, Gemini was recently awarded a $3.6 million federal government contract to supply critical products in support of the high demand for COVID-19 testing and will be supplying reagents in the areas of Viral Transport Media (VTM), Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) and Saline Solution.

Backing DISC for regional growth

Barry wrote an OpEd for The Davis Vanguard about the importance of the Davis Innovation & Sustainability Campus and was also interviewed by the Sacramento Business Journal about the the project.
The Download featuring Dan Flores

In the latest episode of The Download, Sutter County Supervisor Dan Flores highlights the Sutter Pointe Plan and the region's booming agriculture industry. Watch the interview   here  and hear why it's important for him to be a member of our Board of Directors  here .
Economic impacts and projections updates
Updated Report: U.S. economic forecast

Today’s report includes updates on unemployment, GDP, the federal deficit, job opening numbers, consumer and producer price indexes, consumer confidence index, economic forecasts and more.

Additional reports


U.S. retail sales rose record 18% in May (The Wall Street Journal)
Announcements
SBA Disaster Loans have reopened for small businesses and non-profits. Learn more »

Gavin Newsom issued a statewide mask order. Learn more »

Sacramento County Public Health Order Amended. Learn more »

Main Street lending program could help businesses retain cash during pandemic. Learn more »
STAFF FEATURE
Unearthing innovation in the Food & Agriculture Industries

Business Development Project Manager Lucy Lu shared how her perceptions of the food and agriculture industries changed and drove her career path.

Programs
GSEC programs

UPCOMING
Digital Transformation of Organizational IT:
Part 2 
Tuesday, June 23 | 11 a.m.

In the second webinar of this three-part series, leaders in IT throughout the region will discuss the long-term effects of COVID-19 on their organizations, and how they plan to adapt and move forward as we settle into this “new normal”.

Digital Transformation of Organizational IT:
Part 3 
Tuesday, June 30 | 1 p.m.

The final webinar of this three-part series will feature additional insight on the future of organizational IT. Stay tuned for more details.

RECORDINGS

Digital Transformation of Organizational IT: Part I
Related programs

Lean Innovator Series
Date: Begins June 23
Host: Sacramento State Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

City of Sacramento Small Business Forgivable Loan Program
Date: June 24, 2 p.m.
Featured commercial real estate property
Blue Ravine Tech Campus

±50,000 SF of available office, R&D, manufacturing space between two buildings, located in Folsom’s most desirable tech cluster. Fully renovated, with immediate access to public transit and the American River bike trail.

COVID-19 resources
Lift Investing Program provides low-interest loans for Elk Grove businesses

The Elk Grove City Council approved the City’s participation in the Lift Investing Emergency Investment and Relief Program, which provides low-interest loans to Elk Grove businesses adversely affected by COVID-19. Up to $2.5 million is available now to eligible businesses through the Program. Complete Program guidelines can be found here. Visit the Lift Investing website to apply.
City of Sacramento forgivable loan program

The Small Business Recovery Program will provide up to $25,000 in forgivable loans and technical assistance to businesses and non-profits located in the City of Sacramento. Learn more here and sign up for their webinar on the program here.
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