The City has received its sales tax figures for the third quarter of 2021 (Jul-Sep), showing continued recovery from the pandemic's economic impacts. Sales tax receipts were up 12.4% over the third quarter of 2020, during which business closure orders and capacity limitations were lifted, but also during which consumer demand in many sectors (hotels, restaurants, gas stations) remained very low.

With workplaces largely open in 3Q-2021 and pent-up demand driving up travel and entertainment spending, the economic sectors driving the sales tax increases were generally those hit hardest by the pandemic:

Given that more people were eating out and returning to brick-and-mortar retail locations, there were also corresponding dips among grocery stores (-7.3%) and online sales taxes for Moorpark (-3.9%) compared to the third quarter of 2020. On the bottom line, the City's sales tax receipts for the third quarter increased from $1,125,984 in 2020 to $1,265,173 for 2021, an increase of $139,189.

Of course, these sales increases don't mean that business is booming. Sales were still lost during the pandemic, and businesses still face a labor shortage, higher labor costs, higher energy costs, inflationary pressure, and supply chain challenges. Likewise, the City is also dramatically affected, particularly by water/electricity costs and higher construction costs. That being said, the continued recovery reflected in double-digit percentage gains in year-over-year sales for the Moorpark business community is a welcome sign.

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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is still accepting requests for increases, reconsiderations, and appeals for itsCOVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program.

Requests for Increases: Borrowers may request increases up to their maximum eligible loan amount for up to two years after their loan origination date, or until the funds are exhausted, whichever is soonest.

Requests for Reconsideration/Appeals: Requests for reconsideration and appeals for applications received on or before December 31 will be accepted and reviewed if the reconsideration/appeal is received within specified timeframes : six months from the date of decline for reconsiderations, or 30 days from the date of reconsideration decline for appeals...unless funding is no longer available.

For more information, please visit the SBA's COVID-19 EIDL website.

The SBA is also hosting a webinar on Wednesday, February 16, at 11:00 AM to further explain the program and its processes. No pre-registration is required, simply join the webinar at that time.

Local free assistance is also available right here in Ventura County through the Economic Development Collaborative's Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Simply call (805) 409-9159 to get started!

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Friday, February 11, 12:00 PM | Register Here

Who’s ready to get organized this 2022? Let’s be honest, we all get overwhelmed by social media because we often wear too many hats and think we need to be on every platform. The fact is we only need to be posting on the platforms where our target market is spending their time. The best way to get organized and efficient is to create a social media calendar. Presenter Deborah Deras has a saying: schedule it in your calendar, see it in your life...and she will show you how to do it to save time and energy, and make you money.

Tuesday, February 15, 10:30 AM | Register Here

Co-hosted by CMTC and the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, this webinar will provide practical guidance to California manufacturers on multiple economic incentives, resources, and workforce training funding to save money and foster growth, including: sales and use tax exemptions and exclusions, workforce training funding, tax credits, grants, and other resources and no-cost assistance. A Q&A is also included, so please submit questions in advance when you register!

Friday, February 25, 12:00 PM | Register Here

A good online reputation is essential for a business to thrive. When a business is able to uphold a positive online reputation, good things such as professional image, increasing sales, and even attracting great talent for future recruitment is likely to follow. Learn the best advice and tips for businesses to follow in order to successfully monitor and uphold a positive online reputation.

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