Thursday, April 1, 2021
COVID-19 Response Update | New Businesses | Employment Trends | Auto Sales | Special Updates
The April 2021 edition of the monthly newsletter contains important information and resources related to COVID-19 that may be helpful to our entire business community, not just current subscribers. If you received this email, and have not already subscribed to our monthly ED Newsletter, but would like to receive our newsletter, please sign-up here. 
COVID-19 RESPONSE UPDATE
Greetings Thousand Oaks Business Community,

Before we jump into our regular Newsletter updates, we have a few COVID-19-related updates for you.

First, Ventura County continues to trend in a positive direction with respect to COVID-19. If the County continues to meet the metrics, we could be moving into the Orange Tier as soon as April 7th at 12:01 am. (You can revisit the State's color-coded tier system here).

Yesterday (March 31st), Ventura County opened the application period for its second COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant program. The application period closes Tuesday, April 6th at 6:00pm. See here for more details.
Also yesterday, the State closed Round 5 of the CA Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant program. Awardee notifications are expected to begin Monday, April 5th. Round 6 application period dates have not yet been announced, but we expect it will be very soon. Keep yourself informed here.
At the federal-level, on March 24th, the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it will be increasing the maximum amount small businesses and non-profits can borrow through its COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) program starting April 6th. Click here for EIDL details.

The President also signed into law an extension of the SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Small businesses and eligible non-profits can now apply for PPP loans through May 31, 2021. Click here for more about PPP details.

Lastly, the SBA is preparing to launch the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) as early as April. The RFF is not yet accepting applications, but the links provided below will be helpful for those interested in applying. See an excellent 2-page fact sheet with grant amount, eligibility and other important information here.
Sincerely,

Haider Alawami
Economic Development Manager
1710 On The Boulevard
1710 On The Boulevard is the City's first mixed-use project. Located in the heart of the City's downtown, it includes 36 townhome-style apartments for lease with live-work lofts and upscale retail. Tenants started moving into the units this month. (Link)
AECOM
AECOM, an infrastructure consulting firm opened a new office located at 3027 Townsgate Road. (Link)
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Note: As expected, the economic impacts of COVID-19, including lay-offs and furloughs, continue to have a significant impact on unemployment rates.
January
City of Thousand Oaks
According to the California Employment Development Department, the preliminary Thousand Oaks January 2021 unemployment
rate is 5.8% (down from a revised 5.9% in December 2020). The City has a total of 60,700 in the labor force with 57,200 who are employed. 
Ventura County
The California Labor Market report shows Ventura County’s January 2021 unemployment rate at 7.4% (Unchanged from a revised 7.4% in December 2020). 

There was a total of 7,600 non-farm jobs were lost January 2021; with no job gains. Job Losses consisted of: 2,200 in Leisure and Hospitality; 2,100 in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities; 1,200 in Education and Health Services; 800 in Professional and Business Services; 500 in Government; 400 in Construction; 200 in Financial Services; 100 in Manufacturing; and 100 in Other Services.
February
City of Thousand Oaks
According to the California Employment Development Department, the preliminary Thousand Oaks February 2021 unemployment
rate is 5.1% (down from a revised 5.8% in January 2021). The City has a total of 61,900 in the labor force with 58,800 who are employed. 
Ventura County
The California Labor Market report shows Ventura County’s February 2021 unemployment rate at 6.8% (down from a revised 7.4% in January 2021). 

A total of 4,800 non-farm jobs were added in December 2020. However, a total of 400 jobs were lost; amounting to a net loss of 4,400 jobs. Job gains consisted of: 2,100 in Educational and Health Services; 1,900 in Leisure and Hospitality; 400 in Government; 200 in Professional and Business Services; and 200 in Other Services. Job Losses consisted of: 300 in Trade, Transportation and Utilities; and 100 in Financial Services.
A total of 1,263 new vehicles were sold in February 2021; a 1.0% increase compared to January 2021 sales, but a 11.1% decrease compared to a year ago.

In addition, 813 pre-owned vehicles were sold in February.  

City's Biotech Sector Highlighted in Conejo View Magazine

The Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce recently released their Spring 2021 issue of Conejo View magazine, which highlights the City's conscious efforts to support our growing biotech sector. See the issue here.


General Plan Update
The General Plan Land Use Alternatives Survey Results were presented to the General Plan Advisory Committee on March 25th (See here), and introduced to the Planning Commission along with the General Plan & Housing Element Annual Progress Report on March 29th (See more here). To see what's coming up in April, see the General Plan calendar here.

April = Earth Day: Celebrate by Becoming a Certified Green Business
Every April we celebrate Earth Day, a day when we take the time to appreciate the importance of a healthy environment and our role in being good stewards.

A healthy environment isn't just good for our health, it's also good for our economy. Locally, our pleasant temperatures and beautiful parks and open space attract residents, businesses and visitors, spurring economic activity.

We encourage you to consider becoming a Certified Green Business. (It's free to get certified!) Learn more. Some of our local businesses are already certified! You can see a list of those businesses here.

You can also learn more about the City's environmental sustainability programs here, including the City's Sustainability Plan for city facilities and operations, Single-Use Plastics Ordinance (to be effective January 1, 2022), and Climate and Environmental Action Plan (currently underway), among others.

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