Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Updates from City Hall | Business News | Local Economic Trends | Education & Training
Objective Standards for Residential Development

On February 22nd, City Council adopted an ordinance to update the City's zoning regulations to include objective design standards for residential development, including mixed-use projects.

The new standards will provide greater clarity on rules for residential development and will help streamline review of residential projects. You can review the new standards here under Item 8(A).
Virtual Guidance for Transitioning from Temporary to Permanent Outdoor Dining Areas - March 9th

Attention food establishments interested in outdoor dining. On March 9th from 3pm-4pm, City staff will be joining our partners at the Greater Chamber of Commerce to share guidance with Thousand Oaks establishments interested in permanent outdoor dining space. City staff will also be available to take questions. See the Chamber webpage to register here. The Guidance document is also available on the City's website here.
Highlighted Resources
Ventura County Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant
Ventura County will be offering $2,500 grants to qualified small business and nonprofit enterprises. Small businesses such as sidewalk venders, independent contractors, individual artists, and others that earned less than $50,000 in 2019 are encouraged to apply. The application window opens March 16th. For more information and to apply, see here.
Free PPE Supplies Available for Local Businesses
Our partners at the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce have received and are offering California Office of Emergency Services (OES)-issued KN95 masks, surgical masks and hand sanitizer free of charge! Request your complimentary PPE supplies online here.
CA Competes Tax Credit
The Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) is now accepting California Competes Tax Credit applications from March 7th-28th, 2022. Informational webinars are scheduled for March 9th, 17th, and 22nd. Learn more here.
Employee Retention Tax Credit
The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) is a refundable credit that businesses can claim on qualified wages, including certain health insurance costs, paid to employees. Eligible employers can now claim a refundable tax credit against the employer share of Social Security tax equal to 70% of the qualified wages they pay to employees after December 31, 2020, through June 30, 2021. More here.
NEW BUSINESSES
Carnegie General Insurance Agency
Carnegie General Insurance completed renovations of an existing space at The Arbors, located at 2535 W. Hillcrest Drive. (External Link)
House of Omelettes
House of Omelettes has replaced Harold's House of Omelettes in Camelot Center, located at 2440 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. (External Link)
Leaf Dispensary
Leaf Dispensary, a medical cannabis dispensary, has opened at 3321 Grande Vista Drive. (External Link)
Legendary Organics
Legendary Organics, a medical cannabis dispensary, opened at 1339 Lawrence Drive. (External Link)
The Stand
The Stand restaurant opened at Westlake Plaza, located at 966 S. Westlake Blvd (previously occupied by Pitfire Pizza) (External Link)
Teresa's Country Feed Pet Store
Teresa's Country Feed Pet Store opened at Northgate Plaza, located at 111 S. Westlake Blvd. (External Link)
Wild Fork Meat and Seafood Market
Wild Fork Meat and Seafood Market opened a new store at the Northgate Plaza, located at 101 S. Westlake Blvd. (External Link)
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES & JOBS BY INDUSTRY
The California Employment Development Department (EDD) expects to release updated unemployment and labor force numbers later this month. You can review EDD's release schedule here.
AUTO SALES
A total of 1,218 new vehicles were sold in January 2022; up 8.65% from December 2021, and down 4.47% Year-Over-Year.

In addition, 882 pre-owned vehicles were sold in January; up 11.8% Year-Over-Year.
SALES TAX UPDATE
Third Quarter (July, August, September) 2021 local sales tax revenue was $9.4 million, an 18.5% increase from Third Quarter 2020.

Sectors experiencing the largest year-over-year increases were: Transfers & Unidentified (up 84.8%); Fuel & Service Stations (up 58.7%); and Restaurants & Hotels (up 40.3%).

The only sector experiencing a year-over-year decrease was the Business and Industry sector, which was down 17.6% compared to Q3 2020.
Economic Development Collaborative
See the latest schedule of upcoming no-cost education and training opportunities for June here.
SCORE - Ventura County
In addition to its no-cost mentoring services, SCORE is offering a variety of workshops this month on accounting, business formation, digital and social media marketing, and more. See here.
Women's Economic Ventures
Check out the great business training, advisory services, loan opportunities and more over at WEV. More here.
SCORE - Ventura County
In addition to its no-cost mentoring services, SCORE offers a variety of workshops on accounting, business formation, digital and social media marketing, and more. See here.
CA Employment Development Department
The California Employment Development Department (EDD) has a webpage with resources specifically for employers. See resources focused on Hiring and training, Work Sharing, and more here.
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