Photo Credit: Visit Ventura
Business Updates For May 20, 2021
Upcoming General Plan Educational Forums

Mark your calendars and join the City of Ventura for a series of educational forums on topics relevant to the General Plan Update.

June 3, 6:00 p.m. - Economic Development
Join us for a virtual educational forum on the ways the General Plan can address economic development and fiscal concerns on Thursday, June 3 at 6:00 p.m. The forum will feature a presentation and Q+A session led by the consultant team's economic expert, Doug Svensson.

June 15, 6:00 p.m. - Housing
Join us for a virtual GPAC/public educational forum on housing on Tuesday, June 15 at 6:00 p.m. Veronica Tam, of Veronica Tam + Associates, will provide an overview of the State's Housing Element requirements and how this impacts the City of Ventura. The presentation will be followed by Q+A and discussion.

For more information or to subscribe to email notifications, visit www.PlanVentura.com.

Miss the first General Plan Workshop? It's not too late to participate!
If you missed the first General Plan workshop, there’s still time to share your ideas and help update the General Plan's Vision and Guiding Principles. These three exercises are available to complete in English and en Español.
Cannabis Application Period and Orientation Postponed

The City of Ventura will delay the opening of Application Period 1 for Commercial Cannabis Business Permits until Monday, June 28. 

The new 45-day Application Period 1 will be: June 28 – August 11, 2021

Application Period 1 will still only be available for permits outside of the Coastal Zone for up to 3 retail and 10 industrial-type business permits. 
 
The Orientation “Kick Off” Meeting is being rescheduled to mid-June and will be announced as soon as a date and time is confirmed.
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Restaurant Revitalization Fund Application Deadline Closing

The SBA will stop accepting applications for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) on Monday, May 24 at 8:00 pm EDT. All qualified establishments may continue to submit applications until the deadline.

Establishments with 2019 annual revenue of not more than $50,000 are encouraged to apply as more than $220 million of a $500 million set-aside for this revenue category remains. Applications can be submitted through SBA-recognized point-of-sale vendors or directly via the SBA online application portal: CLICK HERE.

Who can apply?
Eligible entities who have experienced pandemic-related revenue loss include:
  • Restaurants
  • Food stands, food trucks, food carts
  • Caterers
  • Bars, saloons, lounges, taverns
  • Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars
  • Bakeries (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
  • Brewpubs, tasting rooms, taprooms (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
  • Breweries and/or microbreweries (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
  • Wineries and distilleries (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
  • Inns (onsite sales of food and beverage to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
  • Licensed facilities or premises of a beverage alcohol producer where the public may taste, sample, or purchase products

For more information, visit sba.gov/restaurants.

About the RRF
The new American Rescue Plan Act established a $28.6 billion “Restaurant Revitalization Fund” (RRF) within the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). An eligible business may receive a tax-free federal grant equal to the amount of its pandemic-related revenue loss, calculated by subtracting its 2020 gross receipts from its 2019 gross receipts.
 
Assistance
The County of Ventura Economic Vitality Division is hosting a free webinar on Thursday, May 20, from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. This special webinar will be hosted simultaneously in English and Spanish.
  • Click HERE to Register

Looking for assistance with the Restaurant Revitalization Fund? Reach out to the SBA's Restaurant Revitalization Fund Program Hotline at 844.279.8898 (Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 8:00 pm ET).
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Thursday, May 20, 10:00 a.m.
CMTC: HR 101: ABC’S OF COMPLIANCE WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT
California state and federal legal requirements can leave many companies mystified and even worse, vulnerable. Complex Human Resources issues such as identifying which laws and requirements apply to your company can be daunting, especially in a landscape where finding practical tips for proper organizational structure and risk reduction of legal exposure, penalties, and fines are hard to find. During this webinar, California Manufacturing Technology Consulting® (CMTC) HR Senior Manager Jeri Summer and Human Resources Professional Patrice Green will provide an overview of the HR life cycle of an employee from start to finish with practical implementation tips.

Thursday, May 20, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
How to Apply for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF)
The County of Ventura Economic Vitality Division is hosting a free webinar to assist businesses in how to apply for the SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). This webinar will be hosted simultaneously in English and Spanish.

Friday, May 21, noon
WEV: SPIRIT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARDS
Join Women's Economic Ventures (WEB) for the 11th annual Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards (SOE) to celebrate outstanding women business owners from Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties in ten industry categories. All community members are invited to attend the free, online event. In addition to announcing the ten category winners, WEV will also present the 2021 Rock Star: Lifetime Achievement Award to Lupe Anguiano, an entrepreneur and activist known for her work on women’s rights, the rights of the poor, and the protection of the environment who has founded two impactful nonprofits.

Tuesday, May 25, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
WCDC - Fix the Flow: Traffic, Parking, Biking
Join the Westside Community Development Corporation (WCDC), neighbors and experts to imagine and discuss solutions to community challenges. Visualize better streets and transit, bike lanes, inclusive design, walkable streets, parking rethink, and more! Zoom presentations include:
  • Building Transit Supportive Communities - Matt Miller
  • A Bike Lane on the Avenue - The Risk and Rewards - Joey Juhasz-Lukomski
  • Imagining and Inspiring Inclusion - Tina Sanchez
  • Parking - Re-imagining Our Relationship to the Automobile - Jeff Mitchem
  • Connecting People with Transit- Potential Pedestrian Improvements - Caitlin Brooks & Claire Grasty
  • Register HERE

Wednesday, May 26, 10:00 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.
SCORE-How To License Your Intellectual Property (Patents, Copyrights, & Trademarks)
This Webinar will explore the fundamentals of how to license intellectual properties either to or from other companies. It will provide you an understanding of the terminology, the available resources, costs, timing and rules of thumb necessary for optimizing the value of your IP. Technical, legal, financial and practical issues will be explored from a business perspective.

Thursday, May 27, 9:00 a.m.
Join WEV to Connect, Collaborate, and Learn at our monthly meet-up/community empowerment group, Strong Women, Strong Coffee. Grab your favorite morning brew and log on at 9:00 am. Enjoy the opportunity to share, listen and support one another in reaching your business goals. This month’s special guest is Lindsey Carnett, CEO & President of Marketing Maven. Lindsey was featured in the Forbes Most Powerful Women Business Leader issue and is a WEV Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award winner in the Communications & Media Category. Lindsey will share 5 Marketing Tips for small business owners to elevate their brand.
  • Register HERE
  • Additional meeting dates: 6.18, 7.16, 8.20, 9.17, 10.15

Tuesday, June 1, 7:00 - 8:30pm
WCDC - Is Density Our Destiny?
Join the Westside Community Development Corporation (WCDC), neighbors and experts to imagine and discuss solutions to community challenges. Envision housing options for a thriving community. Zoom presentations include:
  • How Historic Patterns Can Inform Our Future Strategy - Nick Dietch
  • The Housing Authority’s Westside Projects - Karen Flock
  • Striking a Balance: Home Types Do Mix - Claudia Armann
  • Let's Do It Ourselves - Local Small-Scale Housing - Roy Prince & Clay Downing
  • Register HERE

Tuesday, June 8, 7:00 - 8:30pm
WCDC - Mission Possible: Affordable Housing
Join the Westside Community Development Corporation (WCDC), neighbors and experts to imagine and discuss solutions to community challenges. Create stability and opportunity for our community.
Zoom presentations include:
  • Anti-Displacement Strategies - Veronica Garcia
  • Creative Strategies to Become a Homeowner - Chantelle Limón
  • Housing is a Human Right: Strengthening Renter Protections - Lucas Zucker
  • ADUs For All- Design & Policy Ideas - Vina Lustado & Jeff Mitchem design & policy
  • Register HERE

Wednesday, June 9, 10:30 a.m.
SCORE-Paid Advertising Tactics Every Business Owner Should Know
Learn the basics of successful paid advertising strategies and how to drive new leads for your business. Online marketing is constantly evolving, which can make it difficult for your business to keep up. In this webinar, we will break down the different paid ad campaigns by platform with best practices you can use to get the most out of your marketing dollars.

Tuesday, June 15, 10:30 a.m
SCORE-How To Start & Grow A Profitable Consulting Business
If you are a Consultant, or are considering becoming one, this webinar is for you.
It doesn't matter what your specialty is: business management, social media marketing, information technology, security, personal image and credibility, and more. In just a few hours, you will learn powerful tips and strategies you can use right away, to attract, win and retain more of the most valuable clients.

Wednesday, June 16, 10:30 a.m.
SCORE-The Pros and Cons of Franchise Ownership: Is it the Right Option for You?
Have you ever thought about owning a business, but didn’t know where to start? Join SCORE for an informative workshop where you’ll learn about the challenges and benefits of owning a franchise from an experienced franchise consultant. Arm yourself with information and learn if franchising is the right opportunity for you.

Wednesday, June 23, 10:30 a.m.
SCORE-Email and Social Media Marketing That Get Results
Provide an overview of how today’s online marketing tools can work for your business/organization. You will learn how Email Marketing and Social Media can work together to create a powerful system for your marketing campaigns

Mondays, Wednesdays & Friday @ 3:00 pm
COVID-19 Information For Small Business
The SBDC is providing webinars on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays for the Small Business Community on information as it relates to funding information during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will be discussing the Economic Injury Disaster Loan, Payroll Protection Program, Disaster Bridge Loan, 7a Forgiveness Program, and other funding opportunities for your business. Information is changing and updating daily and we want to make sure Small Business owners are being provided the most up to date factual information as to what is available for funding.

Additional Webinars
  • Click HERE for additional live and recorded SCORE webinars
  • Click HERE for additional live and recorded EDC webinars
  • Click HERE for additional live and recorded WEV webinars
No Appointments Needed For COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 Vaccines are now available by walk-in! No appointment is required. There are locations offered throughout the County.

Community members preferring to make an appointment can do so at: MyTurn.CA.Gov

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
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