COVID-19 Response Update | New Businesses | Employment Trends | Auto Sales | Special Updates |
|
The February 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.
|
|
Greetings Thousand Oaks Business Community, |
|
We're issuing this February newsletter a little early. A lot has happened in the last week and there's some important deadlines approaching.
First, earlier this week (January 25th) the Governor announced an end to the State's Regional Stay-At-Home Order, and a return to to the Blueprint for a Safer Economy color-coded tier system. The decision was based on 4-week projections anticipating increased ICU capacity in the coming weeks. Ventura County is currently in the Purple Tier. Coinciding with the Governor's announcement, the County of Ventura also issued an important press release containing County-specific information. See the County's press release here. (Also, just a reminder that the City has developed a Temporary Outdoor Dining/Commercial application process. See our Road to Reopening page for details.)
|
|
Second, the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program will be accepting applications for a 2nd round of grants from February 2nd at 8am to February 8th at 6pm. Notifications to successful applicants will be notified between February 11th and February 18th. Waitlisted applicants will received notification on February 22nd. Round 1 resulted in the approval of $237.5 million to successful applicants. Those funds are currently being distributed. Round 2 will distribute about the same amount. See the weblink to the Program above for more information and the application.
|
|
Third, the County of Ventura is currently preparing launch another grant program for businesses impacted by COVID-19. The County Board of Supervisors provided conceptual approval to dedicate $20 million to the program (January 12th) and authorization to sign an agreement with a vendor to administer the program (January 26th). You can find more details here. Final approval and program launch expected very soon. Stay tuned.
|
|
Fourth, next Tuesday, February 2nd, the City will be hosting a General Plan Community Workshop. The event will include an introduction to three different land use approaches for managing the future growth of the City, and an opportunity to provide your input. Learn more and register here.
Finally, just a reminder that Conejo Valley Restaurant Week 2021 is right around the corner. The event, hosted by our local Tourism Improvement District, Visit Conejo Valley, will take place from February 19th to 28th. See here for more details. This event is a great opportunity to support our local restaurants and enjoy some tasty foods!
Kind Regards,
Haider Alawami
Economic Development Manager
|
|
Thousand Oaks Speedwash
Thousand Oaks Speedwash has completed a conversion to an automatic drive-thru car wash operation located at 2725 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. (Link)
|
|
Premier America Credit Union
Premier America Credit Union has opened a new branch at the Janss Marketplace, located at 173 N. Moorpark Rd. (Link)
|
|
Starbucks
Starbucks has opened another drive-thru at the Janss Marketplace, located at 401 N. Moorpark Road. (Link)
|
|
|
Note: As expected, the economic impacts of COVID-19, including lay-offs and furloughs, continue to have a significant impact on unemployment rates. |
|
According to the California Employment Development Department, the preliminary Thousand Oaks December 2020 unemployment
rate is 5.9% (up from a revised 5.1% in November 2020). The City has a total of 62,600 in the labor force with 59,000 who are employed.
|
|
|
The California Labor Market report shows Ventura County’s December 2020 unemployment rate at 7.5% (up from a revised 6.3% in November 2020).
A total of 1,400 non-farm jobs were added in December 2020. However, a total of 3,900 jobs were lost; amounting to a net loss of 2,500 jobs. Job gains consisted of:
800 in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities; 500 in Professional and Business Services; and 100 in Information. Job Losses consisted of: 2,800 in Leisure and Hospitality; 400 in Education and Health Services; 300 in Government; 200 in Financial Services; and 200 in Other Services.
|
|
A total of 1,654 new vehicles were sold in December 2020; a 4.4% increase compared to November 2020 sales, but a 16.2% decrease compared to a year ago.
In addition, 653 pre-owned vehicles were sold in December.
|
|
General Plan Virtual Community Workshop (Feb 2nd)
The City of Thousand Oaks is hosting a General Plan Community Workshop on Tuesday, February 2nd at 6pm. The workshop will include an introduction to three different land use approaches for managing the future growth of the City, and an opportunity to provide your input. Learn more and register here.
|
|
Restaurant Week is Coming! (Feb 19th-28th) |
|
|
|
Conejo Valley Restaurant Week 2021 is right around the corner! The event, hosted by our local Tourism Improvement District, Visit Conejo Valley, will take place from February 19th to 28th. There is no cost to participate, and Chamber membership is not required. Restaurants interested in participating, should register by February 12th.
|
|
Takeda Achieves Carbon Neutrality
|
|
|
Takeda Pharmaceutical, a global industry giant and one of the largest employers in the City of Thousand Oaks, recently announced it has achieved its goal of carbon neutrality in its value chain by 2020. The company highlights internal energy conservation measures, procurement of green energy, and investment in renewable energy certificates and high-quality, verified carbon offsets as major focus areas helping them to achieve carbon neutrality. They company notes the achievement represents a significant milestone in the company's larger commitment to become Carbon Zero in its operations by 2040. (You can read Takeda's press release here.)
|
|
Takeda's January 27th announcement is a timely one for the City. The same day, the City convened its Climate and Environmental Action Plan (CEAP) Stakeholder Group for the first of a series of public meetings to gather input and feedback on climate-related concerns and strategies to achieve Greenhouse Gas reduction targets, and increase our resilience and capacity to adapt to climate change. City staff expects to present the CEAP to City Council for consideration and approval in late 2021.
Our natural environment is an economic asset. Locally, our pleasant temperatures and beautiful open space attract residents, businesses and visitors, spurring economic activity.
Climate change is associated with increased severe weather events, including wildfires, which negatively impact human health and disrupt our local economy. The City's CEAP effort is not only about preserving our environment for future generations to enjoy, but also important for protecting our economic well-being into the future.
|
|
The PPP reopened for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. If you have already received PPP, you may be eligible for a second draw. Please contact the same lending institution you previously received PPP through if you are able to. Loans are available through March 31, 2021 OR until all allocated funds are exhausted. Click here to learn more. |
|
Did someone share this email with you? Sign up to receive more of our emails.
|
|
[CITY OF THOUSAND OAKS] [2100 E. THOUSAND OAKS BLVD 91362] [www.toaks.org]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
