Tuesday, January 4, 2021
COVID-19 Response Update | New Businesses | Employment Trends | Auto Sales | Special Updates
The January 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 are not already subscribed to our monthly ED Newsletter, but would like to receive our newsletter, please sign-up here. 
COVID-19 RESPONSE UPDATE
Happy New Year Thousand Oaks Business Community!
We hope your holidays were enjoyable and you're starting off the new year healthy. As we kick off 2021, I wanted to share a couple quick updates with you.

First, the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program has extended its application deadline to January 13th at 11:59pm. Click the hyperlink above to learn more about the program. (Our local Small Business Development Center network is hosting daily webinars at 11:00am to help business owners navigate the application process. Click here to sign up. We highly recommend attending one of these webinars to all who plan to apply.) 

Second, the Economic Development Collaborative will also be hosting a separate webinar on Friday, January 8th to discuss state and federal financial relief programs. Click here to register and/or see the Special Update section below for more details.

Third, If you haven't already renewed your City Business License for 2021, you can do it through our online portal. Find our Business License homepage here.

Lastly, we have made some changes to the Economic Development section on the City's website. Take a look and feel free to give us some feedback.


Kind Regards,

Haider Alawami
Economic Development Manager
ALDI
ALDI, a grocery store, has opened at Janss Marketplace, located at 179 N. Moorpark Road. (More)
Arcutis Biotherapeutics
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, a pioneering medical dermatology company dedicated to revolutionizing the treatment of serious skin diseases, has relocated their operations into a larger facility located at 3027 Townsgate Road. (More)
Chakaa Tea Cafe
Chakaa Tea Cafe opened at Walmart/Walgreen Plaza, located at 520 N. Ventu Park. (More)
E + Mon Restaurant
E + Mon Restaurant, a Japanese sushi and ramen restaurant, opened at the Westlake Commons, located at 2806 Agoura Road (previously occupied by Cake Monkey Bakery) (More)
Montecito Bank & Trust
Montecito Bank & Trust opened a new branch in the North Ranch Mall located at 101 N. Westlake Blvd. (More)
State Restoration, Inc.
State Restoration, Inc., a full-service General Contractor specializing in restoration, and kitchen and bathroom design, relocated to 3350 Willow Lane. (More)
Siblings Bakery
Siblings Bakery opened at 1625 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd (previously occupied by Jaime Cakes). (More)
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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.
City of Thousand Oaks
According to the California Employment Development Department, the preliminary Thousand Oaks November 2020 unemployment
rate is 5.1% (down from a revised 6.2% in October 2020). The City has a total of 62,700 in the labor force with 59,600 who are employed. 
Ventura County
The California Labor Market report shows Ventura County’s November 2020 unemployment rate at 6.3% (down from a revised 6.9% in October 2020). 

A total of 3,900 non-farm jobs were added in November 2020. However, a total of 900 jobs were lost; amounting to a net gain of 3,000 jobs. Job gains consisted of: 1,700 in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities; 1,300 in Educational and Health Services; 300 in Professional & Business Services; 200 in Constructions; 200 in Manufacturing; and 200 in Government. Job losses consisted of: 600 in Leisure and Hospitality; and 300 in Financial Services.
A total of 1,584 new vehicles were sold in November 2020; a 10.5% increase compared to October 2020 sales, but a 11.5% decrease compared to a year ago.

In addition, 647 pre-owned vehicles were sold in November.  
Big News for Biotech in Thousand Oaks
In case you missed our December 15th press release and/or media coverage a couple weeks ago, Westlake Village BioPartners announced two new funds totaling $500 million to advance transformative treatments. This funding means more local biotech jobs and an overall boost for our local economy.


Business Financial Resource Webinar

Our partners at the EDC Small Business Development Center will host a webinar this Friday, January 8th at noon to discuss the CA Business Grant and New CARES Act funding. There's limited availability, so register today! (Register here)
VCEDA 50th Annual Business Outlook Conference
The Ventura County Economic Development Association (VCEDA) will host their 50th Annual Business Outlook Conference virtually on Friday, January 15th beginning at 8am. The event focus is Economic Recovery After COVID-19: The Future of Work. Learn more and register here.

General Plan Update

Work continues on the General Plan update. Draft land use alternatives are in the works and will be shared with the community soon. Stay updated here: toaks2045.org.
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