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As of yesterday, San Mateo County moved from the most-restrictive Tier 1 (purple) to Tier 2 (red) in the state’s four-tier, color-coded reopening plan.  

Moving to Tier 2 (Red) allows:

Businesses can find guidelines that apply to their industry on the state’s COVID-19 website. To view the press release, click here

Beginning this week, San Mateo County expanded COVID-19 vaccinations to teachers, child care providers, first responders, and food & agricultural workers eligible under the state’s Phase 1B as the vaccine supply allows. Learn more here and sign up for updates.

Pictured below, the City Council and City staff participated in the ceremonial “signing of the last beam” for the new Community Center.

Looking for a place to grow your own produce and spend some quality time outside? The Parks & Recreation Department's Community Garden has plots available! The Community Garden is located at Bayside Fields, next to Field #2. Each plot is approximately 3 feet by 6 feet and has an individual water source. The cost is $85/year for Burlingame residents, with a one-time $100 refundable deposit. For more information and to become a member, please contact Chris Roman at 650-558-7320, or croman@burlingame.org

Burlingame’s local chocolate factory, Guittard Chocolate Company, is manufacturing its delicious chocolate using clean electricity. The company added a rooftop solar system to its Fairfield facility; the system includes 2,992 solar panels that will generate 1.7 million kWh of power per year - offsetting 50% of the facility’s electricity use. Solar energy is not a feasible option at the Burlingame facility; instead the company will be installing an innovative clean Bloom fuel cell to power the facility.

Did you know that Guittard Chocolate is the oldest continuously family-owned and operated chocolate company in the United States, and is now under its fourth and fifth generations of family management? The company is dedicated to sustainability through its commitment to fair trade cacao beans, water conservation, and waste reduction. For example, organic waste from the Burlingame facility is picked up for use as animal feedstock.

Keep up the good work Guittard!

SamTrans is now offering free bus rides on existing service to COVID-19 vaccination sites for people living or working within San Mateo County. Passengers going to a vaccination site must let the bus operator know as soon as they board the bus and show proof of the vaccine appointment or a vaccination card. Fare payment to vaccination sites will not be required until further notice.

Redi-Wheels and Redi-Coast paratransit services will also offer eligible participants free rides to and from vaccination sites. Riders need to indicate while booking their reservation that the trip is for the purpose of a COVID-19 vaccination. Staff will then alert the driver that the rider is not required to pay the fare.

Solar energy generates reliable and clean electricity. When backup batteries are included, solar power can keep the lights on even during power outages from storms, fires, or other causes. Peninsula Clean Energy is offering $1,250 for residents for solar + battery backup systems through its Power On Peninsula program.

PCE is partnering with Sunrun to implement the program. Sunrun will design, install, and maintain the solar panel system and backup batteries. The panels charge the batteries by day and, the batteries provide back-up power in the case of grid shutdown.

For more information or to apply, go to PenCleanEnergy.com/POP-homeowner.

Brush up on your knowledge of Burlingame history by viewing Episode 7 of the Burlingame Before series produced by the Burlingame Historical Society!

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provides loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the COVID-19 crisis. Borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness.

In order to reach the smallest businesses, SBA will offer PPP loans to businesses with fewer than 20 employees and sole proprietors only from Wednesday, February 24, through Wednesday, March 10, 2021.

President Biden has also announced additional program changes to make access to PPP loans more equitable.

Click here to register

State Senator Josh Becker (SD-13) and Small Business Majority will discuss and provide:

A question and answer session will follow the presentation.

San Mateo County restaurants, breweries, and wineries that meet eligibility requirements may now apply for emergency relief grants. Qualifying businesses are eligible for grants of up to $10,000 to help pay employees and rent, as well as health and safety modifications and other needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grant application portal is on the San Mateo County Strong Fund website. Detailed information is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Tagalog.

Business owners may apply through noon on Monday, March 8. After all the submitted applications are reviewed, grants will be awarded based on a lottery system with funding allocated to cities based on population. Need help or have a question? Send an email to restaurantrelief@smcgov.org.

Call the hotline support numbers (available weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.):

English: 650-413-5600

Spanish: 855-221-1777

Chinese: 888-262-7552

Tagalog: 800-211-9641

In partnership with the California Office of the Small Business Advocate, eBay is inviting the business community to join "Up & Running California".

This free, 6-week ecommerce training program offers interactive coaching and instruction to help your business thrive online. The program begins the week of March 29.

This one-time program is open to all eligible, California-based businesses. Apply now!

Through the 2021 FedEx Small Business Grant Contest, small businesses have a chance to win $50,000 to help grow their businesses. Application entries are due on March 9.

Small Business Grant Contest Prizes:

Grand Prize: $50,000 (plus $7,500 in FedEx Office print services)

2nd Place Prize: $30,000 (plus $5,000 in FedEx Office print services)

3rd Place Prizes: $15,000 (plus $1,000 in FedEx Office print services)

Click here to view Assemblymember Kevin Mullin talk with local business leaders and provide support for reopening and engagement, along with tips for training and connections for displaced workers.

Topics and panelists in this 52 minute YouTube video include:

Please continue to follow these important tips for shopping the Fresh Market:

For more information, visit burlingamechamber.org.

Register here to attend either session via Zoom, or call 650-558-7400

Teens Teaching Technology will host two sessions on how to use everyday technology, primarily using a smartphone. If you know anyone who needs assistance, please let them know!

This year, in lieu of its annual Royal Ball, the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Department will host "A Night Under The Stars"! Enjoy a family-friendly, COVID-safe night complete with a delicious dinner, live performances, and music at the beautifully decorated Washington Park Tennis Courts.

Click here to view the route. If you would like to decorate your car and join the parade, click here to register.

Zumba is for everyone. It combines easy-to-learn dance fitness moves with infectious global and pop songs. The session begins Monday but you can join anytime with flexible punch cards. Click here for more information or to register, or call 650-558-7300.

Generally speaking, "the SBA defines small businesses as businesses with fewer than 500 employees". Shop local means buying from businesses in your local community. To some that means shopping exclusively in Burlingame. To others, the concept of "local community" might extend beyond the City's boundaries. The term "shop local" can sometimes imply purchasing from smaller, family-owned businesses, instead of large retailers, even if that large retailer is located in Burlingame.

The City of Burlingame encourages our community to Buy in Burlingame. Big or small, large retailer or sole proprietorship, all purchases made in Burlingame support our community. So next time you stop for gas, buy groceries, get a haircut, shop for pet supplies, order from a restaurant, hire a photographer, or pick up a cake, please consider doing it in Burlingame first. Here's why:

This week, Burlingame High School Correspondents Ella and Ava checked out the Chamber of Commerce's Fresh Market. Whether you need a tasty treat, fresh flowers, or a present for a friend, the Fresh Market is the perfect place to go! #SmallBusinessWednesday #BurlingameShopsLocal #LoveLocal

Create moments of joy at home this winter with Girl Scout Cookies! With virtual ordering and cookie delivery, it’s the easiest way to stay safe while supporting your local community. Local Girl Scouts of Northern California are selling cookies with their online storefronts now and contactless deliveries. Find local Girl Scouts selling cookies via www.ilovecookies.org, or download the Cookie Finder app.