Business – Latest Updates

New Guidance for Face Coverings Released by the California Department of Public Health
Effective July 28

What changed in the new mask guidance?

Recommends indoor mask-wearing for everyone
Adds recommendation for universal masking indoors statewide
Adds Adult and Senior Care Facilities to settings where all individuals must wear masks indoors
References new requirements for unvaccinated workers in the State Health Officer July 26 Order

Read the updated Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings HERE.

Beyond the Blueprint for Industry and Business Sectors
Effective June 15

What will California look like after June 15th?

California is fully reopening its economy with businesses resuming normal operations (with limited exceptions for mega-events). The new Health Order, effective June 15, replaces previous health orders issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Click Beyond the Blueprint to learn more.

Key Points to Beyond the Blueprint

The Tiers, guidance documents, and prevention plans are no longer in effect. Most businesses can resume normal operations (how they conduct business with their customers.)
There are no limitations on capacity or physical distancing of attendees, customers, or guests.
Businesses with employees must continue to follow the Cal/OSHA Covid-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS). This includes mask-wearing and other preventive measures. Click to read the ETS.
Mega Events are characterized by large crowds greater than 5,000 (indoors) and 10,000 (outdoors) attendees. These events must still follow limited guidance and prevention guidance.

Have more questions about the Beyond the Blueprint June 15th health order? Read the CDPH Frequently Asked Questions Section HERE.

What do California employers need to know?

Most employers are subject to the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS).

Business Outbreak Reporting

The following resources are provided for compliance with business outbreak reporting laws.

Financial Assistance Programs

VENTURA COUNTY – BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS PROGRAM

$10,000 Grants for Eligible Business and Nonprofits

Notice: The County of Ventura is launching a fourth COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program to assist businesses and nonprofits (Organizations) that did not receive a grant during any of the previous grant programs. The goal is to distribute relief to qualified applicants through $10,000 grants. The County Board of Supervisors has supported more than $65 million in grants to help local businesses move forward.

CALIFORNIA RELIEF GRANT

Notice: The California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program announced on July 29 three additional rounds of funding. The full announcement can be read HERE. Visit the California Relief Grant website for more information www.CAreliefgrant.com.

Round 7: Waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds

Selection Window: Tuesday, August 3 through Thursday, September 16

Eligible applicants: This is a closed round and only available to eligible applicants who were waitlisted in certain previous rounds. Selection does not guarantee approval or an award. If you were waitlisted, you do not need to reapply. New applications will not be accepted in this round.

Eligible grant award: $5,000 to $25,000

Details: This is a closed funding round; no new applications will be accepted.

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Round 8: Nonprofit cultural institutions only

Application window: Friday, August 27 through Wednesday, September 8

Eligible applicants: Only nonprofit cultural institutions of any revenue size that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com

Eligible grant award: $5,000 – $25,000

Details: Approximately $16 million remain under the Nonprofit Cultural Institutions Program. Eligible nonprofit cultural institutions must complete a new application even if they already applied in Rounds 1, 2, 5 or 6; nonprofit cultural institutions that applied in Round 4 do not need to reapply. Grants will only be available to nonprofit cultural institutions that did not receive funding in any previous rounds. Grants will be prioritized based on the documented percentage revenue declines based on a reporting period comparing Q2 and Q3 of 2020 versus Q2 and Q3 of 2019.

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Round 9: New Applicants and Waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds

Application window: Thursday, September 9 through Thursday, September 30

Eligible applicants: Current waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds and new applicants that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com

Eligible grant award: $5,000 – $25,000

Details: Applicants not selected to move forward in the review process in Rounds 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, or 7 do not need to re-apply and will be automatically moved into Round 9. New applicants will need to apply at CAReliefGrant.com.

CALIFORNIA STATE FEE WAIVERS

On February 23, 2021 the Governor signed a legislative package that included fee waivers.

ABC License Fee Waivers provide two years of fee relief for roughly 59,000 restaurants and bars licensed through the state’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control can range annually from $455 to $1,235.

- - Restaurants, bars, and other specified on-sale licensees will be eligible for fee waivers of licenses with expiration dates between March 1, 2021, and February 28, 2023.
  - This renewal fee waiver program does not apply to licensees with expiration dates prior to March 31, 2021.
  - Eligible licensees whose licenses expire in January or February 2021 may request a waiver of their future applicable renewal fees due in January 2022 or February 2022 when they receive the renewal notices for that year.
  - The annual license renewal process will continue as normal and licensees will need to request a waiver for each of the two years authorized. A second waiver request must be completed when the licensee receives the renewal notice for 2022.
  - If a licensee pays their renewal fee, and later find that they were eligible for a waiver, unfortunately, they will not receive a refund. ABC is not authorized under this law to provide any refunds. A fee waiver request can be submitted for the 2022 renewal at the appropriate time next year.

For more information on ABC Fee Waivers click HERE.

Barbering and Cosmetology Fee Relief for more than 600,000 barbering and cosmetology individuals and businesses licensed through the Department of Consumer Affairs

- - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology license renewal fees will be waived for all licenses that expire in calendar years 2021 and 2022.
  - Every establishment/salon owner pays a renewal fee of $40 every 2 years, and individuals performing services at each establishment pay a license renewal fee of $50 every 2 years.
  - The fee waivers will be automatic for all license renewals. There is no application. The Board will issue new licenses prior to the license expiration date.
  - During the first week of March 2021, the Board will begin sending out renewed licenses for licensees that had license expiration dates in January 2021, February 2021, March 2021 and April 2021, and have not paid the fees. For licenses expiring from May 2021 through December 2022, the renewed licenses will be mailed out approximately 83 days prior to the expiration date. Licensees are encouraged to update their address but do not need to do anything in order to receive the renewed license.
  - For individuals who already paid their fee for a license that expired in 2021, the renewal date will be extended until January 1, 2025 so they will not have to pay for your next renewal period.

For more information on Barbering and Cosmetology license renewal fee relief, click HERE.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COLLABORATIVE DISASTER LOAN FUND

EDC is offering 4.25% interest loans from $5,000- $50,000 and a 48 month term through our Disaster Loan Fund to give a cash flow boost to businesses impacted by reduced sales, supply chain disruption or other challenges related to COVID-19. Email loans@edcollaborative.com for more information.

WOMEN’S ECONOMIC VENTURES (WEV) RESTART LOAN

WEV’S Restart Loan provides capital to Santa Barbara County and Ventura County businesses who are now open or eligible to open under the most current government orders. Visit WEV’s website for more information.

CALIFORNIA COMPETES TAX CREDIT PROGRAM

The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size, or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on twelve different factors of evaluation, including the number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment, and strategic importance to the state or region. You can find informational webinars, FAQs and other resources to apply here: https://business.ca.gov/california-competes-tax-credit/

Business Recovery Resources

If your business has been negatively impacted by Covid-19, visit the Economic Development Collaborative’s Covid-19 Business Resources webpage. The EDC will guide you through the fundamental steps every business should be following:

Get financial consulting to find the right assistance for your situation.
Connect with your landlord. If you are a commercial tenant and unable to pay rent due to Covid hardship, the EDC has information to preserve your rights as a tenant.

Other information available from our Partners:

Webinars to gain the skills business thrive, grow and/or recover
Financial resources including SBA loan programs
Links to partner organizations such as Women’s Economic Ventures and SCORE that help businesses navigate the current environment

Covid Compliance Hotline and Questions

The County of Ventura launched a Covid Ambassador program for our citizens and businesses to ask questions or to report possible violations of the County’s health orders.

CovidCompliance@Ventura.org or call (805) 202-1805 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Spanish speakers will also be available to return calls.

Quick Access Links for Tools and Resources

Helpful Quick Links

What to do if an employee has Covid-19 – Guide from Ventura County Public Health
Employer Playbook for Covid 19 – Supporting a Safer Environment for Workers and Customers
California GO-Biz – California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development
U.S. Small Business Administration – Loan programs for small businesses
CDC Guidance for Business and Employers – Centers for Disease Control
U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Resources, news, tools for small businesses
California Department of Public Health – Read the latest health orders that impact your business
- - Information from the California Department of Public Health about AB 685
Blueprint for a Safer Economy – At a glance, what can be open in each Tier (Purple, Red, Orange, and Yellow)
Industry Guidance from the State of California
Resuming Business Toolkit from the CDC

Chambers of Commerce are excellent resources for businesses to connect, promote, and find local resources for their businesses.

Free COVID Testing

The County of Ventura’s new Mobile COVID-19 Testing Trailer can be requested at the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/covid-testing.

Mobile Testing Team Onsite Testing Requirements

Business or organization must have at least 100 people that would like to get tested for the COVID-19 virus.
Outdoor location must include 100′ x 50′ open space suitable for parking a truck and 28′ trailer for our testing team.
Host location must provide access to restroom facilities within 200′ walking distance of the testing location.
Set up begins one hour before opening for testing.

COVID-19 testing is offered at high volume sites 7 days a week. More information at: https://www.venturacountyrecovers.org/coronavirus-testing/.

Eviction Moratorium

Eviction moratoriums provide protections from eviction due to Covid hardships. Read this summary of what these moratoriums mean for you and your business.

EDC – Advisor, Tenant and Landlord Guidance During COVID-19