Business Updates For September 23 , 2021
Future of Main Street - Downtown Ventura

The City of Ventura and Downtown Ventura partners are looking for input from community members and business about the future of Main Street in Downtown Ventura. 

Your input will help inform the City Council as they explore a permanent outdoor dining program in Ventura. 

Thank you for your participation in our 5 min survey.
Don’t forget to also take Ventura’s Visioning Survey to share input on affordable housing, transportation, climate change, economic development, public safety, and more. Click here now.

Economic Development Manager Announces Departure

The City of Ventura's Economic Development Manager, Estelle Bussa, has announced her departure from her position effective October 1, 2021.
Have You Taken The Visioning Survey Yet?
 
Tell us about your vision for the future including locations for new development such as housing, retail, office space, and more!
 
The survey is available in English and en Español. Deadline is October 3.
 
Community Cleanup Event Registration Open
 
Community Cleanup & Recycling Day is back! City of Ventura residents* are invited to drop off their unwanted items for proper disposal and recycling on Saturday, October 2 from 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
 
Limited secure document shred services will also be available.
 
*Pre-registration and proof of residency are required.
SB1383 Regulations: Apply for Organics Recycling Waiver by October 5, 2021
 
Beginning January 1, 2022, CalRecycle Senate Bill (SB) 1383 will require everyone in California to recycle all organic waste, including paper, cardboard, yard materials, food scraps, and food-soiled paper. 

California's Senate Bill 1383 is a state mandate to reduce the amount of organic waste sent to landfills and to recover 20% of edible food statewide that would otherwise be sent to landfills. Food waste is the second largest contributor of organic waste in landfills. When organic material is landfilled, it decomposes and produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas (GHG). 
The following businesses are eligible for an exemption waiver for organics recycling requirements:
  • Businesses that generate at least 2 cubic yards of solid waste and less than 20 gallons of organic waste per week; or businesses that generate less than 2 cubic yards of solid waste and less than 10 gallons of organic waste per week.
  • Businesses that have no space on site for additional containers. 
  • Businesses that utilize a landscaper to remove all green waste offsite. 

Waivers will be assessed for both food waste and green waste service needs to qualify for an exemption. Businesses must complete the exemption waiver by October 5, 2021, in order to qualify for an exemption. Complete the exemption waiver.

For more information about organics recycling or if you might qualify for an exemption waiver, visit our webpage.
Ventura County Comprehensive Transportation Plan Survey

What's your vision to make getting around Ventura County safer, greener, and more equitable?

The Ventura County Comprehensive Transportation Plan is a regional project recently launched by the Ventura County Transportation Commission to create a connected, resilient, and equitable transportation future for all in Ventura County.
Help improve the ability to safely and easily get around our community by taking a short online survey. The survey will be available through the end of October 2021.
September Is National Preparedness Month

If you had 10 minutes to evacuate your home or business, what do you take? Plan ahead for any disaster and leave the guesswork behind.

View the National Preparedness Month Presentation in English or Spanish below:
Presentación en español
Learn more about the City's Office of Emergency Services (OES) by visiting our website:
CA Small Business COVID-19
Relief Grant Program

Round 8- Nonprofit Cultural Institutions Only
Application Window is still OPEN until Thursday, September 30th!

Round 8 supports California eligible nonprofit cultural institutions of any revenue size that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com. Eligible nonprofit cultural institutions must complete a new application even if they already applied in Rounds 1, 2, 5 or 6; nonprofit cultural institutions that applied in Round 4 do not need to reapply. Grants will only be available to nonprofit cultural institutions that did not receive funding in any previous rounds. Grants will be prioritized based on the documented percentage revenue declines based on a reporting period comparing Q2 and Q3 of 2020 versus Q2 and Q3 of 2019.
 
Important Dates for Round 8:
Application Opens: August 27, 2021
Application Closes: September 30, 2021

Round 9-New Applicants and Waitlisted Applicants from Certain Previous Rounds
Application Window Opens on September 9!

Round 9 of the California Relief Grant will open Thursday, September 9 for all eligible small businesses operating in California. At this time, there are no other additional rounds planned, so do not miss your last opportunity to submit a completed application!

Important Dates for Round 9:
Application Opens: September 9, 2021
Application Closes: September 30, 2021

Resources

  • For more information on grant requirements and eligibility, along with links to application tips and webinars, visit CAReliefGrant.com. 

  • Lendistry Customer Care team can be contacted by calling 888.612.4370 or by emailing careliefgrant@lendistry.com. Call center hours are Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 7:00 pm PST.

  • The EDC SBDC is a formal partner of the CA Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program and can help address your general questions and walk you through the application. Call 805.409.9159 for assistance.
Ventura County Recovers - One Stop Shop For Vaccine & COVID Info

For vaccine information, daily testing schedules, and vaccine dashboard and COVID metrics, please visit:
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Friday, September 24, October 22, December 3, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
WEV - Café con Exito
Conecta, Colabora, Aprende con WEV. Únete a nosotras/os una vez al mes (con tu bebida matutina favorita) para conectarte, colaborar y aprender de otras emprendedoras y emprendedores. Al reunirnos una vez al mes de 9:00am a 10:00am acompañadas/os por una/un invitada/o especial, tendremos la oportunidad de compartir, escuchar y apoyarnos mutuamente para alcanzar las metas de tu negocio. Este mes celebramos negocios latinos con nuestras invitadas especiales, Ana Lilia (Lili) Muñoz, propietaria de Colibrí y Brenda García, propietaria de Agave Girl Boutique.

Tuesday, September 28, 10:30 a.m.
SCORE - Federal Loans: PPP and EIDL Program: Tips for Business Owners
Tips for business owners to understanding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) Program.

Tuesday, September 28, noon - 1:00 p.m.
Taller WEV Works, Como optimizar tu tienda digital para las fiestas navideñas
Aprovecha al máximo la temporada de ventas navideñas. ¿Estás lista/o para la fiesta de compras más grande del año? Únete a nosotras/os mientras nos preparamos para viernes negro / lunes cibernético. Aprenderás a planificar y preparar tu tienda para el tráfico navideño. Prepárate para este año al comprender qué esperar, cómo implementar estrategias de promoción clave y prepararte para una exitosa temporada de ventas navideñas.

Wednesday, October 6, 10:30 a.m.
SCORE - How to Start and Grow a Profitable Consulting Business
If you are a Consultant, or are considering becoming one, this webinar is for you!
It doesn't matter what your specialty is: business management, social media marketing, information technology, security, personal image and credibility, and more, this webinar will cover it all.

Tuesday, October 12, 10:30 a.m.
SCORE - QuickBooks Online and Best Accounting Practices for Small Businesses
This live, interactive webinar session is 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.

Wednesday, October 13, 10:30 a.m.
SCORE - Small Business Employee Benefit Plans: A Key to Recruiting and Retaining Talent
Employee benefits are any form of compensation paid to employees over and above regular salary or wages. Such offerings help employers attract and retain employees and increase the odds that they will be productive team members when they are at work. The right set of benefits targeted at employees’ physical, mental and financial wellness can help relieve a variety of stressors that when not addressed can pull their attention away from the job at hand. In this webinar, popular employee benefits will be discussed with an emphasis on those best suited to small businesses.

Wednesday, October 20, 10:30 a.m.
SCORE - Buy-Sell Agreements: How to Prepare for a Co-Owner Cashing Out and Leaving the Company
If your business has several owners, have you thought about what may happen when one owner wants to sell their share and exit the company? Or if a co-owner becomes disabled or passes away suddenly? Have you thought about what it would be like to manage your business with a new, previously unknown, co-owner by your side? In this webinar, you will learn about the following:
• What is a Buy-Sell Agreement? When should you consider having one?
• Protecting the business from triggering events (the 5 D’s: death, disability, divorce, departure (voluntary or involuntary), and disqualification)
• What should the business owners consider and address in their agreements?

Tuesday, October 26, 10:30 a.m.
SCORE - Building a 401(k) Plan for Your Small Business
This live, interactive webinar session is designed to help you explore the tips and tricks of small business retirement plans. Topics include:
· What is a 401(k)?
· What are the different types of retirement plans available? (401(k), SEP, etc.)
· Traditional or Roth? What are the advantages and disadvantages?
· Maximum contributions allowed to the different plans
· Compliance requirements
· How to decide what plan is right for you
· Other tips and tricks you can do with a small business retirement plan

Additional Webinars
  • Click HERE for additional live and recorded SCORE webinars
  • Click HERE for additional live and recorded EDC webinars
  • Click HERE for additional live and recorded WEV webinars
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