Weekly Message ~ March 2021
THIS WEEK'S TOPICS
Business News
-Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grants
-Caltrain Updates Ticket Machines
Around Menlo Park
-101 Express Lanes Closure
-30th Annual Authors Salon
Members at Work
-Sharon Green Apartments
-Home Loan Resources
Business News
Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grants
One of the hardest-hit industries during the COVID-19 pandemic has been restaurants, with shutdowns and restrictions cutting off revenue opportunities. The newly passed American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) aims to help restaurants, bars and related businesses with a new grant program called the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF).

The RRF will offer $28.6 billion in grants to hard-hit restaurants and bars, with restaurants able to apply for grants based on lost revenue. Additionally, $5 billion of that total will be set aside expressly for businesses with 2019 gross receipts of less than $500,000.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) will administer and disperse the RRF grants, but the program does not yet have an official launch date as of mid-March 2021. Those interested in obtaining RRF grants should keep a close eye on the SBA’s COVID-19 relief options web portal.

Caltrain Upgrades Ticket Vending Machines to Include Purchase of Clipper Cards
To provide more touchless payment options for riders, Caltrain has upgraded its Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) to allow people the ability to purchase an Adult Clipper card or add cash value option to their card at the San Jose, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Millbrae and San Francisco stations. 
 
As part of the rail agency’s TVM Rehabilitation Project, 12 TVMs, one on each platform, have been upgraded to dispense Clipper products. More ticket machines will be upgraded over time. The ticket machines accept Apple and Google Pay, and can be operated with an easy-to-use touchscreen. When an Adult card is purchased with value, a cost of $3 for the card will be added to the total. The TVMs also sell Caltrain monthly passes and products from neighboring agencies, such as BART, SamTrans, and VTA.

Around Menlo Park
101 Express Lanes Overnight Closure on Northbound U.S. 101
As part of the San Mateo 101 Express Lanes Project, Caltrans will be replacing a total of six overhead sign structures (that span the width of one side of the freeway, from the shoulder to the median) on U.S. 101. The first step of this work is to safely remove the sign structures and install temporary orange roadside signs along the freeway shoulder. Due to the large size of these sign structures, it is necessary to close one direction of the freeway at a time.

Caltrans completed the removal of the first five overhead sign structures and installed temporary orange roadside signs along the freeway shoulder on U.S. 101. This work required construction crews to close one direction of the freeway at a time between Millbrae Avenue in the City of Millbrae and South Airport Boulevard in the City of South San Francisco for five nights. 

An additional overnight closure on Northbound U.S. 101 is required to remove the remaining overhead sign structure on U.S. 101 between East Hillsdale Boulevard and SR-92, in/near the cities of San Mateo and Foster City. This overnight closure is planned to occur Sunday, April 4th, from 11 pm to Monday, April 5th at 4 am.

Register Today for the 30th Annual Authors Salon
Peninsula Volunteers, Inc. invites you to the 30th Annual Authors Salon on Sunday, April 11th at 2:30 pm.

SF Bay Area’s own Jan Yanehiro will moderate this virtual event with local, renowned authors. Click here to learn more details and register today for a great ticket value.

Proceeds will benefit PVI’s Meals on Wheels program through COVID and beyond.
Members at Work
Schedule a Tour Today at Sharon Green Apartments
Uniquely situated within 16 acres of natural parkland, Sharon Green’s brand-new apartments are thoughtfully designed, with open and spacious floor plans, high-end finishes, and top-of-the-line appliances. You’ll also find stunning outdoor amenity spaces, catering to that coveted California indoor-outdoor lifestyle. All in one of the Bay Area’s most prestigious neighborhoods for work, school, and play.

Schedule a tour today! Call 650-648-4917 or send an email to [email protected]
San Mateo Credit Union Home Loan Resources
Do you need resources to help you finance and protect your most valuable asset?

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a long-time homeowner, San Mateo Credit Union provides the products and personal expertise you need. They'll help you secure financing for purchases or refinances, and we'll connect you to insurance agents who can customize a policy to fit.

Visit SMCU's 'Home Lending Center' to learn more about our affordable mortgage options!
Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce | (650) 325-2818 | menloparkchamber.com