Business Updates For February 4, 2021
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California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program
 
NEW DATES AND DEADLINES:
Round 2 Opens: February 2, 2021
Round 2 Closes: February 8, 2021
Approval Notification Start : February 11, 2021 
 
Round 1 for the CA Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program closed on January 13, 2021. All applicants that completed their application and submitted necessary documentation during the first round will be notified if they are selected to receive a grant, waitlisted for the second round or not selected. Any applicant that is waitlisted will be notified via email by January 25, 2021 and will NOT need to complete an application during the second round.
 
Round 2 will open February 2, 2021 and will close February 8, 2021. Round 2 will NOT be a first-come, first-serve application process or rolling approval process- all eligible applicants will be considered for the grant at the close of Round 2 on February 8, 2021 and not before.
 
Prepare for Round 2:
  • Join the EDC's next COVID-19 Business Resources- EIDL, PPP, UI and Grants free webinar on Friday, February 5th at 12:00 pm. This webinar series is held on alternating Wednesdays and Fridays to provide up-to-date information on all currently available COVID-19 business resources. This is an excellent opportunity to hear about new changes and to have your questions answered. Register early! Space is limited.
  • Register HERE
 
  • The CAReliefGrant.com website has numerous guides to review before applying. For detailed information on the application process with step-by-step instructions please review the CA Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Application guides at CAReliefGrant.com. Scroll down on the homepage to view the "All Businesses Application Guide" or the "Non-Profit Application Guide." Review Frequently Asked QuestionsApplication Tips and instructional Videos On-Demand.
 
  • EDC SBDC Financial Advisors are available to answer questions and help you prepare for Round 2. Get started today with their no-cost consulting by calling 805.409.9159 (ENGLISH) or 805.309.5874 (SPANISH). Visit the EDC resource page for list of current COVID-19 related assistance available. CLICK HERE

  •  Lendistry's Customer Care Team can be reached at 888.612.4370 or by emailing CAReliefGrant@Lendistry.com. Lendistry's call hours are Tuesday - Friday 7:00 am - 11:00 pm and Saturday 1:00 am - 12:00 pm PST.
Paycheck Protection Program for Sole Proprietors

Self-employed, business owners with no employees, contractors, free lancers, gig economy workers and sole proprietors - Did you know you are eligible for PPP?

Sole proprietors qualify for the Paycheck Protection Program under the concept of “owner compensation replacement.” Even if you do not have employees or do not make a payroll, you may be eligible to apply for this economic relief loan. Common examples of sole proprietors include, but are not limited to, owners or operators of in-home daycare facilities, web designers, consultants and artisan chefs.

Sole proprietors eligible include:
  • Business owners of a single member LLC with no employees
  • Freelancers
  • Independent Contractors
  • Gig Economy Workers
  • Self-Employed Workers
  • Single-person companies with no employees

Get Started Today!

1. Deadline: March 31, 2021
All participating lenders are now accepting first and second draw applications for PPP! Loans are available through March 31, 2021 or until all allocated funds are exhausted.

2. Review our EDC Guide to PPP for Sole Proprietors
This guide breaks down how sole proprietors calculate their PPP loan, how much of the loan can be fully forgiven and how to process forgiveness with the loan lender. CLICK HERE

3. Apply Through a Lender Processing 7(a) Loans
  • Communicate with your current lender to determine if they are offering PPP loans during round 2.
  • If your lender is not accepting applications, Montecito Bank & Trust is currently accepting applications from businesses based in Santa Barbara or Ventura counties for both First and Second Draw loans. As the largest community bank on the Central Coast with assets over $1.9 billion, MB&T is proud to participate and secure as much funding for Central Coast businesses as possible through this most recent stimulus package. Visit MB&T's website for more information CLICK HERE

4. Connect with an EDC SBDC Financial Advisor
EDC SBDC Financial Advisors are available to answer questions and help you navigate today's complex financial questions. The Economic Development Collaborative hosts the Small Business Development Center and is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Signing up as a client takes just a few minutes and provides you lifetime access to all of our no-cost services. Get started today with our no-cost consulting by calling 805.409.9159 (ENGLISH) or 805.309.5874 (SPANISH).

Visit our resource page for list of current COVID-19 related assistance available. CLICK HERE
General Plan Advisory Committee
Kickoff Meeting

Meet our newly appointed General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) at its first public meeting on Tuesday, February 16, 2021.

Participants will have an opportunity to virtually meet the committee, review the project schedule, and learn more about the City’s General Plan including its history and background. Visit our website at www.planventura.com for additional information about the meeting in the coming weeks.
February 9, 10:30 a.m.
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. Presented by SCORE.

February 10, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Supercharge Your Capacity, Strengthen Your Strategy
As an ambitious, growth-oriented woman, you are likely among the legions of us who constantly seek out new strategies to take our lives, careers, and businesses to the next level. The strategies that look fantastic written out in your planner. The strategies that already sound like a breakthrough when you talk about them with friends. Have you ever applied these strategies, and found the results are far from what you expected? Strategies alone cannot get you to your goals unless you have the CAPACITY to hold, handle and receive all that the strategies will bring you. In this webinar, leadership coach Lisa Fabrega, will help you discover how to optimize three specific Capacities, and create an action plan to not only reach your next level of success, but also to navigate challenges along the way with a greater sense of confidence and ease. Presented by WEV.

February 10, 10:30 a.m.
The Amazon “Effect” - It’s Impact on Your Customer’s Expectations
In this webinar we will discuss how Amazon (and companies like them) have changed your customers’ expectations and some basic steps on how you can adjust your business to meet them. These concepts can be applied to your business no matter if you have products to sell or you deliver services. Presented by SCORE.

February 16, 10:30 a.m.
Bankruptcy Primer For Small Business
Bankruptcy- You have heard the term, but what do you really understand? The Small Business Reorganization Task Force has a mission to educate business owners in Central and Southern California about both bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy options when in financial distress. If you are contemplating bankruptcy, educating yourself is a must! Presented by SCORE.

February 17, 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Recarga tu capacidad, Fortalece tu estrategia
Como mujer ambiciosa y orientada al crecimiento, es probable que te encuentres entre muchas de nosotras que constantemente buscamos nuevas estrategias para llevar nuestras vidas, carreras y negocios al siguiente nivel. Las estrategias que se ven fantásticas escritas en tu agenda. Las estrategias que ya suenan como un gran avance cuando hablas de ellas con tus amigos. ¿Alguna vez aplicaste estas estrategias y encontraste que los resultados están lejos de lo que esperabas? Las estrategias por sí solas no pueden llevarte a tus metas a menos que tengas la CAPACIDAD para retener, manejar y recibir todo lo que las estrategias te brindarán. En este seminario web, la entrenadora de liderazgo Lisa Fábrega, te ayudará a descubrir cómo optimizar tres capacidades específicas y a crear un plan de acción para no solo alcanzar tu próximo nivel de éxito, sino también para navegar los desafíos en el camino con un mayor sentido de confianza y facilidad.

February 18, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Financial Detox: Align Your Finances, Vision and Goals
Are you ready to align your finances with your goals? In this webinar you will learn to organize your finances with INTENTION and CLARITY, based on the personal and professional goals you set for the year. You will also be able to identify the expenses and financial habits you must let go of to achieve the financial future you want. (Content and methodology are applicable to both your personal and business finances). Presented by WEV's Financial Education Program Manager, Irene Kelly.

February 19, 9:00 am - 10:00 a.m.
Strong Women, Strong Coffee
Connect, Collaborate, Learn with WEV. Strong Women, Strong Coffee is our monthly meet-up/community empowerment group and we invite you to join us online (with your favorite morning brew) one Friday each month from 9:00am to 10:00am. You'll meet a special guest speaker and enjoy the opportunity to share, listen and support one another in reaching your business goals. Join us and meet this month’s special guest Seana-Marie Sesma, Founder of Your PR Girls and Mary Jane Services Network, who will share ways to create connections that lead to successful partnerships.

February 23, 10:30 a.m.
How to Utilize Social Media to Build Your Business’s Brand and Increase Awareness
Social media is constantly evolving, which can make it difficult for your business to keep up. In this webinar, we will break down social media marketing for businesses with best practices that you can use to improve your digital marketing strategy. Presented by SCORE.

February 23, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Detox Financiera: Como alinear tus finanzas con tu visión y objetivos
¿Estás listo(a) para alinear tus finanzas con tus metas? En este taller en línea aprenderas a organizar tus finanzas con INTENCIÓN y CLARIDAD, en base a los objetivos personales y profesionales que te has marcado para el año. También podras identificar los gastos y hábitos financieros que debes dejar ir para lograr el futuro financiero que deseas. (El contenido y la metodología son aplicables tanto a tus finanzas personales como a las de tu negocio) Este taller sera impartido por Irene Kelly, Administradora de Programas de Educacion Financiera de WEV.

February 26, 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Café con Exito
Conecta, Colabora, Aprende con WEV. Únase a nosotros una vez al mes (con su bebida matutina favorita) para conectarse, colaborar y aprender de otras emprendedoras y emprendedores. Al reunirnos una vez al mes de 9:00am a 10:00am acompañados por un invitado especial, tendremos la oportunidad de compartir, escuchar y apoyarnos mutuamente para alcanzar las metas de su negocio.
COVID-19 Testing Information

For an updated list of countywide COVID-19 testing locations and hours, please visit:


The best way to keep our businesses open continues to be to:
  • Wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
  • Self-isolate if you are sick
  • Practice physical distancing
  • Wear a clean face covering when in contact with others from outside your household
  • Avoid participating in group/private gatherings with others from outside your household (group gatherings continue to be a high-risk activity)
  • Make a plan to get tested regularly
Ventura County COVID-19 Updates, Business Registration, Testing and Vaccine Info

COVID-19 Hotline
For inquiries regarding state and local orders or COVID-19 business compliance questions or concerns, please call the County of Ventura COVID-19 Hotline at:
  • 1 (844) VC-OPENS or 1 (844) 826-7367

CDC Updates

Download & Print Free COVID-19 Print & Digital Graphics
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