Economic Development Newsletter: 10.07.21

Win a Video From a Ventura Firefighter!

In celebration of Fire Prevention Week happening October 3-9, you're invited to join the Sounds of Fire Safety Challenge and start conversations about fire prevention with loved ones. Enter a coloring contest for the chance to win a video shoutout from a Ventura firefighter!

How to participate:

Visit www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/FPW
Download the activity sheet
Color the sheet and talk about the sounds of fire safety with your family

Share it on social media by tagging or direct messaging @VenturaCityFire on Facebook or Instagram

Enter the Fire Safety Challenge

Engage in Ventura's Redistricting Process

Every ten years, local governments that elect by districts use new data from the U.S. Census to redraw their district lines to reflect how local populations have changed.

Ventura is asking for your help to plan, draw, and redivide new City districts.

Learn more at www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/Redistricting.

Redistricting in is on the agenda for a City Council workshop and public hearing on Monday, October 18. Learn how to review, comment, and watch the meeting at www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/Government

Learn More Here!

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.

Complete the Survey HereTome una encuesta rápida

Updates To The COVID-19

EIDL Program

The COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program has been supporting small businesses throughout the pandemic.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced new updates to the program to make it easier for businesses to access capital. Key changes include:

Borrowing limit has increased from $500,000 to $2 million dollars
Loan funds can be used for working capital to make regular payments for operating expenses, including payroll, rent/mortgage, utilities and other ordinary business expenses and to pay business debt incurred at any time (past, present or future)
Two-year deferred payment period
Expanded eligible use of funds to allow small businesses to prepay commercial debt and make payments on federal business debt

Don't miss out on the exclusivity window for borrowers requesting less than $500,000!

Through October 8, the SBA is approving and distributing EIDL funds only for loans of $500,000 or less. Applications for loans over $500,000 will be approved after October 8. Applications will be accepted until December 31, 2021, or until funds are exhausted.

Click HERE For More Information

View Press Release Here

Ver comunicado de prensa aquí

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.

Friday, October 15, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Friday, November 19, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

WEV - Strong Women, Strong Coffee

Connect, Collaborate, Learn with WEV. Strong Women, Strong Coffee is our monthly meet-up/community empowerment group. Join us each month (with your favorite morning brew) to connect, collaborate, and learn from other women entrepreneurs. Meeting every 3rd Friday of the month from 9:00am to 10:00am, you will have the opportunity to share, listen and support one another with reaching your business goals.

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?

Friday, 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.