Monday, August 2, 2021
Updates from City Hall | Business News | Local Economic Trends | Education & Training
County recommends masks indoors as COVID concerns return

COVID case numbers and concerns about the Delta variant have resulted in 17 counties, including the County of Ventura, recommending even vaccinated persons to wear masks while indoors at commercial establishments. Los Angeles County and Pasadena have gone a step further and are requiring masks. We encourage everyone to be vigilant at this time. Stay up-to-date on County COVID-related information here.
Ready Ventura Survey

The Cities and County of Ventura are in the process of updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan. Part of that effort is to make sure we collect input from residents and business owners. Community Survey here.
City participating in SBA listening sessions

City Economic Development staff are participating in a series of listening sessions hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that aim to identify and gain further insight into the specific needs of our business community. If you have any feedback about SBA programs or needs you would like us to share with SBA, please feel free to email us.
Guide for Electronic Planning Application Submittal

The City has transitioned to digital application submittals. Our Planning Division recently put together a helpful guide to walk you through electronic application submittals. See the Guide here.
Updated Planning Filing Fees

Updated Planning Filing Fees went into effective July 1, 2021. See updated fees here. Following the typical transparent process, the fee updates were approved by City Council during their April 27, 2021 meeting.
Tax Credit Opportunities
The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. The current application period runs from July 26 - August 16, 2021. There's $150 million available for this round alone! Visit the website for more information here.
Our partners over at the Economic Development Collaborative also have an excellent Business Resource webpage highlighting other tax credit opportunities, among other resources and incentives. See here.
COVID-19 Financial Resource Opportunities
Our partners at the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce continue to accept applications for the Small Business Relief Fund. Grants up to $2,500 are awarded periodically. Learn more here.
See the latest information about all the Small Business Administration (SBA) financial relief programs here.
The County of Ventura is launching a 4th COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Assistance Program for business and nonprofit organizations that did not receive a grant during any of the County's previous business grant programs. Funds up to $10,000 will be available. The application period will occur from August 19th - September 2nd. More information here.
Hiring & Retention Assistance
See the Ventura County Workforce Development Board's website for information about locally-focused programs to help employers find and retain the best employees. See here for more information.
NEW BUSINESSES
California Fish Grill
California Fish Grill opened at the Janss Marketplace located at 401 N. Moorpark Rd. (Link)
Genelux Biotech
The Genelux has relocated their headquarters offices from San Diego to Thousand Oaks. They're located at 2625 Townsgate Rd. (Link)
The Mighty Axe
The Mighty Axe, a family entertainment venue, is open for business at the Janss Marketplace located at 215 N. Moorpark Rd. (Link)
Viet Kitchen
Viet Kitchen, a Vietnamese restaurant, opened at The Village at Newbury park, located at 1025 Broadbeck Drive (previously occupied by Flame Broiler).
West Tasting Room
West Tasting Room and Bottle Store opened at Clear Oaks Plaza located at 1867 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. (Link)
IN THE NEWS
Capsida Biotherapeutics hosted a grand opening event for their brand new 15,000sf gene therapy manufacturing facility located at 1300 Rancho Conejo on July 22nd. Capsida announced it had raised $140 million in April 2021, with $50 million of that total coming from the Thousand Oaks-based Westlake Village BioPartners. Learn more about Capsida and the wonderful career opportunities they are bringing to our local economy here.
Above: Rob Murphy (Capsida); Sean Harper and Beth Seidenberg (Westlake Village BioPartners); Rayne Waller (Capsida); Jacqui Irwin (CA State Assembly); Claudia Bill de-la Pena (Mayor, Thousand Oaks); and Al Adam (City Councilmember, Thousand Oaks)
Frontier Aerospace has outgrown its space in Simi Valley and is relocating to 851 Lawrence Drive in Thousand Oaks. (More here)

Skyworks Solutions has completed its acquisition of the Infrastructure & Automotive business of Silicon Laboratories Inc. valued at $2.75 billion. (Press Release here)
Takeda Pharmaceuticals is celebrating 25 years in Thousand Oaks in a big way. On July 22nd, Takeda broke ground on a $126 million expansion project at its current site in the City. The project will add 15,000-square-feet in manufacturing space to its existing 14,000-square-foot production space. During the event, Takeda also shared its intention to introduce a solar array at the site in the near future as part of its commitment to reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions. Takeda is one of the largest employers in the City. You can learn more about the Thousand Oaks facility in this short clip.
Above: Brian Church, Kris Desmet, Eric Hahn (all Takeda); Al Adam (City Councilmember, Thousand Oaks); Claudia Bill de-la Pena (Mayor, Thousand Oaks); Stephen Hatke and Daniel Armstrong (Takeda); Jacqui Irwin (CA State Assembly, D44); and Adi Bengali (Takeda)
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES & JOBS BY INDUSTRY
Note: The economic impacts of COVID-19 continue to have a significant impact on unemployment rates.
City of Thousand Oaks
According to the California Employment Development Department, the preliminary Thousand Oaks June 2021 unemployment rate is 5.6% (up from a revised 4.9% in May 2021). The City has a total of 62,400 in the labor force with 58,900 who are employed. 
Ventura County
The California Labor Market report shows Ventura County’s preliminary June 2021 unemployment rate at 6.4% (up from a revised 5.8% in May 2021). 

A total of 2,200 non-farm jobs were added in June 2021. However, a total of 100 jobs were lost; amounting to a net gain of 2,100 jobs. Job gains consisted of: 1,000 in Trade, Transportation and Utilities; 600 in Leisure and Hospitality; 200 in Government; 200 in Manufacturing; 100 in Professional and Business Services; and 100 in Other Services. Job losses consisted of 100 in Financial Activities.
AUTO SALES
A total of 1,388 new vehicles were sold in June 2021; a 23.4% decrease compared to May 2021 sales, but a 14.2% increase compared to a year ago.

In addition, 885 pre-owned vehicles were sold in May.  
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.
Ventura County Workforce Development Board
Employers can take advantage of free employment services and recruiting, on-the-job-training, skills enhancement, and customized training. See the new Workforce Resource Guide here.
Sage Publishing Free Business & Management Impact Resources
Locally-based Sage Publishing offers some great free resources focused on business and management issues of today and tomorrow. Webinars, articles, and more here.
Did someone share this email with you? Sign up to receive more of our emails.