June 4, 2020
Community Development Department
Business Update
Shopping Malls Permitted to Reopen
Indoor malls can now reopen in the County of Ventura. Malls must follow the state guidance here .


Please note that the May 29, 2020, Stay Well VC Health Order is in effect until June 14, 2020.

Related to business, the May 29 order allows:

  • Reopening of places of worship following the state guidance
  • Golf carts (limit 1 person per cart), putting greens and flag pins are also allowed (with protocols)
  • Sportfishing with guidance
  • HOA pools can reopen; public pools must remain closed

Read the Guidance for Places of Worship and Providers of Religious Services and Cultural Ceremonies here .
Did you know that all businesses, including essential businesses, are required to register when reopening? More than 5,800 businesses in Ventura County have already registered.

Register Your Business at vcreopens.com

Questions? Contact the Ventura County COVID-19 Hotline at 844-VC-OPENS.
Read about California's Resilience Roadmap Stages here .

Review safety protocols and compliance measures by industry-specific guidance here.
County of Ventura $20 Million Business Grants and Rental Assistance Program
The County of Ventura economic stabilization and recovery plan will allow local businesses and residents to apply for $5 million in small business assistance grants, and $5 million in housing assistance, in two phases. The program is funded through federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act money and is slated to begin receiving applications on Wednesday, June 17, for 14-days.

The business assistance grants will provide $5,000.00 to local businesses, with a focus on industries that were hardest hit by the Stay Well VC Order. The program will have two rounds of funding with each round distributing $5 million, and is targeted at companies with no more than $2 million in annual revenue. Businesses that have registered at vcreopens.com will receive direct communication about the program when it is finalized.

Interested businesses can sign up to receive updates here .

The housing assistance is aimed at lower income individuals who could end up homeless if they lost their rental residence; documents from landlords showing rent is owed are required with payments made directly to landlords. The housing assistance will have two rounds of funding at $5 million each. 
Eviction Moratorium Extended Through July 28
On May 29, Governor Newsom i ssued an executive order extending authorization for local governments to halt evictions for renters impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, through July 28.

The expiration date of the City of Oxnard eviction moratorium was set to automatically extend if Governor Newsom extended his executive order; making eviction protections in the City of Oxnard now last through July 28. 

Tenants must notify their landlord in writing (email or text communication) that they cannot pay rent due to the coronavirus within 30 days of their rent's due date, and provide documentation of the lost income or additional expenses. The orders do not relieve tenants from paying rent.

Read the Governor's press release here .
Read the City of Oxnard Staying Evictions Director Order here .
APPLY NOW, Paycheck Protection Program Ending Soon
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.

This SBA loan program may be accessed through any bank that currently issues SBA 7a guarantee loans. Check with your local bank to see if they are an approved lender. The new loan program will be available retroactive from Feb. 15, 2020, so employers can rehire their recently laid-off employees through June 30, 2020. 

For more information please visit the  SBA website . For frequently asked questions please visit the  U.S. Department of Treasury . The Paycheck Protection Loan Forgiveness Application is here .
Assistance with Status of Small Business Administration Loans
If you have applied for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and have not heard from the Small Business Administration (SBA) on approval or denial status, pl ease email the Economic Development Collaborative so that they can contact the SBA and inquire about the status of your loan application on your behalf . Email your full name, application number (which should start with a 3) to info@edcollaborative.com with the subject line “SBA EIDL Loan Status Unknown.”

If you have received an EIDL advance with no further communication from the SBA, please be patient as they are processing an unprecedented number of applications at this time. You should consider the loan advance a status of receipt of your loan application.
Denial of Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Applications
Businesses who had an EIDL application that was denied have up to 6 months to reapply for an EIDL loan. If you have been denied, you can reapply by first emailing pdcrecons@sba.gov .

 At this time there is no process for reconsideration of a loan that was approved for an amount lower than what was expected or needed.
Business Restructure or Closure?
The Economic Development Collaborative recently hosted a webinar featuring Attorney William Bealle, from Beall & Burkhardt law firm, who shared information and answered questions about bankruptcy, restructure and landlord/tenant issues. Watch the webinar here . Attorney William Bealle can be reached at 805-966-6774 for consultations.
Learn about Federal, State and Local Relief Packages here .

Free business assistance is available :
Economic Development Collaborative, visit EDC online here .
Find a SCORE Mentor here .
Women's Economic Ventures, 805.456.2342 | Visit WEV online here .
Contact Our Staff
Our Economic Development staff is available to assist you.

Contact us by email at communitydevelopment@oxnard.org , or phone at (805) 616-6862. H ablamos español.

The Community Development Department continues to be open remotely for business; visit us online .
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Questions regarding business compliance? Contact Ventura County COVID-19 Business Compliance by email at CovidCompliance@Ventura.org  or call 805-202-1805.