California COVID-19 Update: Below is the most current CalOES status update. www.covid19.ca.gov
Federal Infrastructure Package: President Biden has announced a $3 trillion infrastructure package, which is intended to “boost the economy, reduce carbon emissions and narrow economic inequality.” The package could be introduced this week and may be brought forward to the US Congress in multiple pieces. Funding for the plan is being reported as coming from an increase in corporate taxes which were significantly reduced in 2017. The New York Times reports, “Mr. Biden’s advisers plan to recommend that the effort be broken into pieces, with Congress tackling infrastructure before turning to a second package that would include more people-focused proposals, like free community college, universal prekindergarten and a national paid leave program.”
“Today, President Biden sent another strong message to America’s more than 30 million small business owners negatively impacted by the pandemic: help is here. By signing the PPP Extension Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act into law, the President is providing additional critical relief to the smallest of the small businesses – the mom-and-pop shops that line our Main Streets and keep our local and regional economies going.
“The leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, working with leaders of the House Small Business Committee, Chairwoman Nydia Velázquez, and Ranking Member Blaine Luetkemeyer, Reps. Carolyn Bourdeaux and Young Kim, and Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Chairman Ben Cardin, and Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Susan Collins, ensured a strong bipartisan vote to extend this critical relief to hard-hit small businesses. More than 8.2 million PPP loans have provided struggling small businesses with the relief they need to keep workers employed and make ends meets during this pandemic. The SBA remains dedicated to reaching the heart and soul of the nation’s urban, rural, and low-income communities – the smallest businesses – and removing barriers to access this vital relief.”
CA Share of the American Rescue Plan: The Legislative Analyst’s Office published a blog, Flexible Funding to California in the American Rescue Plan. https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/4407 The American Rescue Plan includes $26 billion in flexible funds for specific projects, based on specific unemployment data used in the calculation. Funds must be used by December 31, 2024. According to the LAO:
Federal funds can be used to:
Respond to the public health emergency or negative economic impacts associated with the emergency
Support essential work
Backfill a reduction in revenue that has occurred since 2018-19
Finance water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure
Federal funds cannot be used to:
Make supplemental pension payments
Directly or indirectly offset a reduction in the net tax revenue of the state through a change in law, regulation, or administrative interpretation
Questions Regarding State’s Use of Federal Funds to Offset Net tax Revenue: The Tax Foundation issued a technical analysis on the use of federal American Rescue Plan dollars by states to directly or indirectly offsetting state tax cuts. https://taxfoundation.org/american-rescue-plan-state-tax-cuts-treasury/ Key findings from the Tax Foundation article include:
The American Rescue Plan Act’s restriction on states’ Fiscal Recovery Funds being used to directly or indirectly offset a net tax cut is vague and raises difficult questions of interpretation and application. A broad interpretation of this prohibition may be unconstitutional.
This restriction potentially implicates a wide range of tax decisions, not just rate reductions but also federal tax conformity, excluding unemployment benefits from income taxation during the pandemic, adjusting standard deductions, or awarding discretionary tax incentives.
States will require answers to many questions, but particularly: (1) what constitutes a net tax reduction? (2) how is a net tax reduction determined to have resulted from a policy change? (3) which potential expenditures could be deemed to create fiscal capacity for a net tax cut? and (4) how would offsetting a tax reduction be defined, especially across multiple years?
US Department of Treasury guidance will be crucial as states seek to navigate this new environment.
Provides $195.3 billion to states and the District of Columbia:
$25.5 billion would be equally divided to provide each state a minimum of $500 million.
$169 billion would be allocated based on the states’ share of unemployed workers over a three-month period, from October-December 2020.
State can use the funds to cover costs incurred by Dec. 31, 2024.
Funds will be distributed in two tranches, with 50% delivered no later than 60 days after the date on which the certification required, and the remainder delivered no earlier than one year later.
Funds can be used to:
Respond to the COVID-19 emergency and address its economic effects, including through aid to households, small businesses, nonprofits, and industries such as tourism and hospitality.
Provide premium pay to essential employees or grants to their employers. Premium pay couldn’t exceed $13 per hour or $25,000 per worker.
Provide government services affected by a revenue reduction resulting from COVID-19.
Make investments in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure.
Funds cannot be used to make pension deposits or to offset revenue resulting from a tax cut enacted since March 3, 2021.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance:
Extends the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program through Sept. 6, 2021.
Increases the total number of weeks of benefits available to individuals who are not able to return to work from 50 to 79 weeks.
Provides guidance to states on coordinating with other unemployment benefits when needed.
Extends the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) through Sept. 6, 2021, while maintaining the FPUC benefit amount of $300.
Exempts the first $10,200 in 2020 unemployment benefits from federal income tax for households with incomes below $150,000 per year.
Increases the number of weeks of benefits an individual worker may receive in the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program from 24 to 53 and extends the length of time in which workers can receive PEUC benefits if they exhaust regular state unemployment insurance benefits to last until Sept. 6, 2021.
Ensures the earliest date on which states would begin accumulating interest of federal loans they have taken out to pay state unemployment benefits would be Sept. 6, 2021.
Appropriates $2 billion to the Department of Labor specifically to support program integrity and timely and equitable access to benefits. The secretary of Labor would be authorized to use the funds directly to develop system-wide program integrity solutions and address access barriers or processing backlogs, distribute funds to state and territorial unemployment insurance programs for these purposes, or make transfers to the Office of the Inspector General or the Department of Justice, or other agencies to support unemployment fraud investigations or prosecutions.
Small Business Assistance:
Provides $7.25 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgivable loans.
Does not extend the PPP's current application period, which is scheduled to close March 31.
Makes more not-for-profits eligible for the PPP by creating a new category called "additional covered nonprofit entity," and also increased the size limitation on the general nonprofit category.
Provides funds to businesses located in low-income communities that have no more than 300 employees and that have suffered an economic loss of more than 30%, as determined by the amount that the entity's gross receipts declined during an eight-week period, between March 2, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2021, relative to a comparable eight-week period immediately preceding March 2, 2020.
$28.6 billion for restaurants, bars, and other eligible providers of food and drink.
Allows for grants equal to the pandemic-related revenue loss of the eligible entity, up to $10 million per entity, or $5 million per physical location. The grants are calculated by subtracting 2020 revenue from 2019 revenue. Entities are limited to 20 locations.
$1.25 billion for shuttered venue operators.
$175 million to create a "community navigator" pilot program to increase awareness of and participation in COVID-19 relief programs for business owners currently lacking access, with priority for businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, women, and veterans.
Employee Retention Credit: Extends the employee retention credit established by the CARES Act through Dec. 31, 2021. The measure also would expand eligibility for the credit to new startups that were established after Feb. 15, 2020, and companies if their revenue declined by 90% compared to the same calendar quarter of the previous year. The credit would be capped at $50,000 per calendar quarter for startups.
Paid Leave Credits: Extends tax credits for employer-provided paid sick and family leave established under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act through Sept. 30, 2021. The measure would also increase the wages covered by the paid family leave credit to $12,000 per worker, from $10,000; cover as many as 60 days of paid family leave for self-employed individuals, instead of 50; and bar employers from receiving credits if their paid leave favors highly compensated employees, full-time workers, or employees based on tenure.
Free PPE to Small Business: The Governor’s Office of Emergency Service announced the arrival of nearly eight million personal protection equipment (PPE) items that have been donated by Accelerate360, of Atlanta, GA. http://www.oesnews.com/california-governors-office-of-emergency-services-announces-donation-of-nearly-eight-million-personal-protection-items/ The donation includes more than 7.8 million items, including protective face masks and hand sanitizer, which will be distributed to small businesses, tribal communities, migrants crossing the border into the United States and California’s essential workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Electricity Sector 2030 GHG Emission Targets: The California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced the release of the FINAL 2020 Update to the 2030 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Planning targets for certain electricity sectors. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2021-03/sb350-final-report-2020.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery The Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act (Senate Bill (SB) 350) required the establishment of 2030 GHG emissions targets for the electricity sector and each electricity provider.
California Native American Legislative Caucus: California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Assemblymember James C. Ramos announced formation of the California Native American Legislative Caucus. Ramos will lead the new group. Ramos is a member of the Serrano/Cahuilla tribe and a lifelong resident of the San Manuel Indian Reservation.
“I feel a solemn obligation as the first California Native American legislator in the state’s 170-year history to advocate for California’s first people and to be that voice that has been absent in the many policy discussions that have shaped the state,” Ramos said. “The California Native American Legislative Caucus will focus on issues facing the California Indian People and on increasing their representation in the political system.”
“I am pleased to announce the creation of the California Native American Legislative Caucus,” Rendon said. “It will be charged with increasing awareness and education in the Legislature about the culture, history and impact of various social issues on our state’s Native Americans. Its membership will set out goals and work with other legislative caucuses to ensure all Californians have a voice in the Capitol’s chambers.”
New Research Committees in the Senate: The California State Senate has approved select committee assignments. Of the 13 appointed on March 24, 2021, 9 related to JEDE issue areas, including:
Senate Select Committee on California, Armenia and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art and Cultural Exchange: Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge), Chair
Senate Select Committee on California’s Wine Industry: Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa), Co-Chair and Senator Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg), Co-Chair
Senate Select Committee on California-Mexico Cooperation: Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego), Chair
Senate Select Committee on Career Technology and the New Economy: Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside), Chair
Senate Select Committee on Hydrogen Energy: Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera), Chair
Senate Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector: Senator Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara), Chair
Senate Select Committee on the Ports and Goods Movement: Senator Lena A. Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), Chair
Senate Select Committee on Preparing California’s Future Workforce: Senator Anna M. Caballero (D-Salinas), Chair
Senate Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color: Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), Chair
$6 Billion Farm Initiative: The US Department of Agriculture announced it is establishing $6 billion in new programs to bring financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and producers negatively impacted by COVID-19. https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-room/news-releases/index The new initiative—USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers—is intended to reach a broader set of producers than previous COVID-19 aid programs. The new programs will put a greater emphasis on outreach to small and socially disadvantaged producers, specialty crop and organic producers, timber harvesters, as well as provide support for the food supply chain and producers of renewable fuel, among others. Existing programs, like the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, will be included within the new initiative.
More Federal Tax Deferrals: The Internal Revenue Service announced that individuals have until May 17, 2021 to meet certain deadlines that would normally fall on April 15. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-extends-additional-tax-deadlines-for-individuals-to-may-17 These deadlines include, but are not limited to (read the announcement for details). the time for individuals to make 2020 contributions to their individual retirement arrangements (IRAs and Roth IRAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), Archer Medical Savings Accounts (Archer MSAs), and Coverdell education savings accounts (Coverdell ESAs). The postponement also includes the time for reporting and payment of the 10% additional tax on amounts includible in gross income from 2020 distributions from IRAs or workplace-based retirement plans. Additionally, foreign trusts and estates with federal income tax filing or payment obligations, who file Form 1040-NR, now have until May 17, 2021. This in not tax advice. Refer to the IRS documents. March 30 Notice: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-21.pdf and the March 17 announcement with links: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-day-for-individuals-extended-to-may-17-treasury-irs-extend-filing-and-payment-deadline
Economic Stimulus Payments: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) projects stimulus payments to non-filer Social Security and other federal beneficiaries will be disbursed later this week. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-projects-stimulus-payments-to-non-filer-social-security-and-other-federal-beneficiaries-will-be-disbursed-later-this-week The IRS and US Treasury Department announced that they anticipate payments will begin to be issued this weekend to Social Security recipients and other federal beneficiaries who do not normally file a tax return, with the projection that the majority of these payments would be sent electronically and received on April 7.
GOOD NEWS ABOUT JEDE FRIENDS
KEY Small Business Finance Job Opportunity: The GO-Biz and the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank) is looking for a talented person to fill a very important job - Small Business Finance Center Manager. https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=244730 Responsibilities include overseeing the Small Business Loan Guarantee Program (SBLGP), Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program, Farm Loan Program, and the Jump Start Startup Loans. Salary range of $6,722.00 - $8,352.00 per month. Final Filing Date: 4/13/2021. Please share this job announcement – our small business community needs a great person to fill this key position.
Innovation Month: The economic development community in Riverside County is hosting a 100% Virtual Innovation Month in April with a range of events scheduled throughout the month. https://www.rivcoinnovation.org/ Thank you Rob Moran and the Riverside County Team for leading this community-wide event. Key partners include the County of Riverside, Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes, the UC Riverside, Riverside Community College, Orange County Inland Empire SBDC, Corona Chamber of Commerce, EXCITE, Tech Coast Angeles, Coachella Valley Economic Partnership, and the Cities of Corona, Eastvale, Banning, Beaumont, Indio, Manifee, Murrieta, Perris, Riverside, Temecula, to name just a few of the county’s innovation leaders. A few events are highlighted below.
April 8 – Corona fast Pitch Competition (Corona, Norco, Eastvale and Jurupa Valley) – winners go to the county wide competition later in the month http://bit.ly/CoronaPitch2021
April 29 – Coachella Valley Business Conference - Forecasting event with Dr. Christopher Thornberg
April 30 – Under 40 and Social Innovation Entrepreneurship Conference hosted by Riverside Community College District and SBDC
DATA, SURVEYS, AND ANALYSES
February US Employment Data (most current): US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released national-level employment data for February 2021. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm According to the report, total US nonfarm payroll employment increased by 379,000 jobs in February, reflecting a 6.3% unemployment rate. In releasing the data, the BLS stated: “most of the job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, with smaller gains in temporary help services, health care and social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. Employment declined in state and local government education, construction, and mining.” Unemployment among selected worker groups: 13.9% for Teenagers, 5.9% Adult Women, 6% Adult Men, 9.9% for Blacks, 8.5% for Hispanics, 5.1% for Asians, 5.6% for Whites.
February California Employment Data (most recent): The Employment Development Department released state-level data for February 2020. https://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/Publications/Labor-Market-Analysis/calmr.pdf California’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 8.5% in February. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 141,000 jobs from the prior month. Unemployment among Blacks and Latinx were reported as 13.4% and 12.5% respectively, based on a 12-month rolling average. According to the release, California has regained nearly 39% of the 2.7 million nonfarm jobs lost in March and April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Women-owned firms made up only 19.9% of all firms that employed people in the United States in 2018 but their numbers are growing
There were 6,861 more women-owned firms in 2018 than in 2017, up 0.6% to 1.1 million
Women-owned employer firms reported nearly $1.8 trillion in sales, shipments, receipts or revenue and employed over 10.1 million workers with an annual payroll of $388.1 billion in 2018
Impact Data on New Market Tax Credits: The US Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) released transaction level data collected on New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) investments across the nation through fiscal year (FY) 2019. https://www.cdfifund.gov/node/1004816 Through 16 application rounds of the NMTC Program, the CDFI Fund has made 1,254 awards, allocating a total of $61 billion in tax credit authority to CDEs through a competitive application process.
March Real Earning Summary: The US Bureau of Labor Statistics released a national-level real wage summary on March 10, 2021 called “Real Earning Summary” with data ranging from January to February 2021. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/realer.nr0.htm Real average hourly earnings for all employees from January to February 2021 declined 0.2% (seasonally adjusted). Real average weekly earnings decreased 1.0% over the month due to the change in real average hourly earnings being combined with a decrease of 0.9% in the average workweek. Real average hourly earnings increased 3.4%, from February 2020 to February 2021. The change in real average hourly earnings combined with an increase of 0.6% in the average workweek resulted in a 4.1% increase in real average weekly earnings over this period.
February World GDP and Cumulative Per Capita Income: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released a world-level summary called “The Great Divergence: A Fork in the Road for the Global Economy” for how the world economy has been affected by the pandemic from prior to February 24, 2021. https://blogs.imf.org/2021/02/24/the-great-divergence-a-fork-in-the-road-for-the-global-economy/ The IMF recently projected global GDP growth at 5.5% this year and 4.2% in 2022. By the end of 2022, cumulative per capita income is anticipated to be 13% below pre-crisis projections in advanced economies—compared with 18% for low-income countries and 22% for emerging and developing countries, excluding China. This projected hit to per capita income will increase by millions the number of extremely poor people in the developing world. Before the crisis, the IMF forecasted that income gaps between advanced economies and 110 emerging and developing countries would narrow over 2020–22. The IMF now estimates that only 52 economies will be catching up during that period, and 58 countries will fall behind. In 2020, advanced economies, on average, deployed about 24% of GDP in fiscal measures, compared with only 6% in emerging markets and less than 2% in low-income countries. Cross-country comparisons also showed that countries that deployed more sizable crisis supports were often associated with a smaller loss in employment.
$13 million to counties, based on population. At least 50% of the award is required to be used to support PSPS resiliency for one or more of the following priority areas: schools, elections offices, food storage reserves and/or COVID-19 testing sites.
$13 million to cities with awards up to $300,000 each were awarded on a competitive basis. Funds are intended to be used in one or more of the following priority areas: schools, election offices, food storage reserves and/or COVID-19 testing sites.
$2.5 million to California federally recognized tribes. Gants of up to $150,000 were awarded on a competitive basis.
$20 million to special districts. Grants of up to $300,000 were awarded on competitive basis with the proceeds of which being used for critical facility or facilities, and to provide critical infrastructure, pursuant to the de-energization guidelines adopted by the California Public Utilities Commission.
Grants for Community Facilities: The US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development announced that it is investing $266 million to build and improve critical community facilities. These funds will benefit nearly 3 million rural residents in 16 states and Puerto Rico. https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2021/03/23/usda-invests-266-million-improve-rural-community-facilities-and This includes one project from California, $475,000 to the Plumas Alternative Learning Services to build the Plumas Charter School.
Applications Open for New Veterans Business Outreach Centers: The Small Business Administration announced funding for new and existing Veterans Business Outreach Centers. https://www.sba.gov/article/2021/mar/19/sba-announces-veterans-business-outreach-center-funding-opportunity Eligible areas include: Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington, DC, Maryland, Northern California, and Nevada. Applications are due on Sunday, April 4, 2021.
Regional Conservation Partnership Program: The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking proposals to fund up to $75 million in up to 15 new, unique projects under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program’s (RCPP) Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA). https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/newsroom/releases/?cid=NRCSEPRD1752236 Projects should take innovative and non-traditional approaches to conservation solutions at the local, regional and landscape scales. Priority will be given to projects related to climate smart agriculture and forestry.
Advanced Research Projects: The US Department of Energy announced a flexible funding to encourage the submission of the most innovative and unconventional ideas in energy technology. https://arpa-e-foa.energy.gov/Default.aspx#FoaId4edadf42-12aa-4916-bf6a-b560a6f20e95 The objective of this solicitation is to support high-risk R&D leading to the development of potentially disruptive new technologies across the full spectrum of energy applications. Awards up to $3,670,000 are available. Applications are due September 30, 2022.
Insider Threats in American Law Enforcement: The US Department of Homeland Security announced funding is available to identify cutting-edge technologies and providing scientific expertise that support its quest to make America safer. https://www.dhs.gov/publication/dhs-all-pia-052-dhs-insider-threat-program The DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is tasked with researching and organizing the scientific, engineering, and technological resources of the United States and leveraging these resources to develop tools, methods and research to help protect the homeland. The Social Sciences Technology Center (SS-TC) advances technology and knowledge to improve performance, policy, strategy, tactics, techniques, procedures, and operational impacts to enable communities to augment their existing programs and prevention and response plans to ensure that they include effective protocols and strategies to address the immediate and long-term needs of victims, families, first responders and communities after mass violence or terrorism incidents and, human trafficking crimes. The Award can reach up to $500,000 and the due date is May 16, 2021. The application must be applied through grants.gov- https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html.
UNEMPLOYMENT INSUANANCE AND PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
State Unemployment Benefit Data: The Employment Development Department (EDD) released new unemployment insurance data for California during the week ending March 20, 2021. https://edd.ca.gov/Newsroom/facts-and-stats/dashboard.htm Among other information, EDD reports the following:
116,643 initial Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PAU) claims were filed during the report period.
Over 21.5 million initial unemployment benefit claims, including extensions, have been filed with EDD between March 20, 2020 and the close of the report period.
$132 billion has been paid to out-of-work Californians since the start of the pandemic.
Tracking UI Benefits: The California Employment Development Department (EDD) launched identity verification technology to help address the backlog of unprocessed unemployment benefit applications, including the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. On March 19, 2021, EDD released its bi-weekly report to the Legislature addressing the backlog: https://www.edd.ca.gov/About_EDD/pdf/CUIC-337-legislative-report-031921.pdf
UPDATES AND STATUS REPORTS ON SMALL BUSINESS ACCESS TO CAPITAL
[This is a “quick-source” section that includes new and previously provided information.]
April 7 Deadline for EIDLs Related to Civil Unrest: The US Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West released a reminder that California small businesses have until April 7, 2021, to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for economic injury caused by the civil unrest in Sacramento and San Diego counties that occurred May 26 – Dec. 28, 2020. Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at: https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. SBA’s Customer Service Center: (800) 659-2955.
California Small Business Grants: The Office of the Small Business Advocate launched a Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant program, which provided nearly $500 million in grants to small businesses and small nonprofits that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Legislature approved and the Governor signed SB 87 (Caballero and Min) on February 23, 2021, which provide as additional $2.1 billion in grant funds through a minimum of three additional funding rounds.
Application and award notice period for Rounds 1 and 2 is completed. Over 354,000 applications were received in Rounds 1 and 2, requesting a total of $4.5 billion
Free one-on-one technical assistance is available through a wide range of nonprofit resource providers, including SBDCs, Women’s Business Centers, and ethnic chambers of commerce: www.CAReliefGrant.com.
Funding Rounds Announced:
Round 5: Thursday, March 25th through Wednesday, March 31st
Eligible applicants: Applicants that are currently waitlisted from Rounds 1, 2, or 3 and new applicants that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com
Eligible grant award: $5,000 - $25,000
Details: Applicants not selected to receive a grant in Rounds 1, 2, & 3 do not need to reapply as they will be automatically moved into Round 5. New applicants will need to apply at CAReliefGrant.com
Round 6: Date to be announced soon
Eligible applicants: Currently waitlisted small businesses and/or non-profits not selected in Rounds 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and new applicants that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com
Eligible grant award: $5,000 - $25,000
Details: Applicants not selected to receive a grant in Rounds 1, 2, 3 & 5 do not need to re-apply and will be automatically moved into Round 6. New applicants will need to apply at CAReliefGrant.com
Tax Credits for Required Paid Leave: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) maintains a webpage on current information regarding tax credits employers may apply when meeting COVID-19 employee paid leave requirements. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/covid-19-related-tax-credits-for-required-paid-leave-provided-by-small-and-midsize-businesses-faqs This includes, but is not limited to, the newly extended Employee Retention Credit. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/covid-19-related-employee-retention-credits-how-to-claim-the-employee-retention-credit-faqs The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020, enacted December 27, 2020, made a number of changes to the credits previously authorized under the CARES Act, including modifying and extending the Employee Retention Credit. Several of the changes apply only to 2021, while others apply to both 2020 and 2021. The maximum ERC amount available is $7,000 per employee per calendar quarter, for a total of $14,000 in 2021. Small employers may request advance payment.
Are You Eligible for A Tax Credit? The Internal Revenue Service released a new form to help eligible self-employed individuals determine their qualified sick and family leave credit under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act -- IRS Form 7202, Credits for Sick Leave and Family Leave for Certain Self-Employed Individuals: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f7202.pdf
Guidance on the Employee Retention Credit: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued guidance for employers claiming the employee retention credit under the CARES Act, as modified by the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020 (Relief Act). https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-provides-guidance-for-employers-claiming-the-employee-retention-credit-for-2020-including-eligibility-rules-for-ppp-borrowers The guidance in Notice 2021-20 includes clarifications and describes retroactive changes under the new law applicable to 2020, primarily relating to expanded eligibility for the credit. “For 2020, the employee retention credit can be claimed by employers who paid qualified wages after March 12, 2020, and before January 1, 2021, and who experienced a full or partial suspension of their operations or a significant decline in gross receipts. The credit is equal to 50% of qualified wages paid, including qualified health plan expenses, for up to $10,000 per employee in 2020. The maximum credit available for each employee is $5,000 in 2020.” The guidance also explains when and how employers that received a Paycheck Protection Program loan can also claim the employee retention credit for 2020. This is one of the most significant changes to the Employee Retention Credit made by the Relief Act.
FAQ for Federal Contracting: The Small Business Administration issued a new FAQ about certification options available to Women-Owned Small Businesses and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses. https://www.sba.gov/document/support-faqs-wosbsedwosbs
100% Corporate Donation Exemption: The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020, enacted Dec. 27, 2021, temporarily increased the corporate contribution limit to 100% of a corporation’s taxable income for contributions paid in cash for relief efforts in qualified disaster areas. https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-526 While donations related to COVID-19 are not eligible, other specified federally declared disaster are eligible, including certain fires.
Shuttered Venue Operators: The US Small Business Administration is launching the Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) Grant program, as authorized by The Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act. Under the new program, $15 billion is dedicated to making grants to shuttered venues who may receive up to 45% of their gross earned revenue, up to a $10 million. $2 billion of the grants are reserved for businesses with 50 or less employees.
May apply for PPP; EIDL and PPP can’t be used for the same purpose/costs
May apply for SVOG; EIDL and SVOG can’t be used for the same purpose/costs
The same business cannot apply for more than one EIDL
COVID-19 Payment Protection Program: The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is OPEN until May 30, 2021. Businesses who were received loans in prior funding rounds may still be in the process of applying for and waiting for approval on forgiveness.
Round Three PPP Update: Approximately 3.3 million PPP loans have been approved for over $205 billion (average loan size of $60,459), between the program’s re-opening on January 11, 2021, and March 25, 2021. Overall, 87% of the loans are for under $100,000, representing 30% of the dollars, and 93% of the loans going to businesses with less than 20 employees. https://www.sba.gov/document/report-sba-covid-relief-program-report
Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility: The Federal Reserve Board extended its Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility, or PPPLF, from March 31 to June 30, 2021. https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20210308a.htm The PPPLF is important to lenders because it helps maintain their liquidity, which in turn, allows the lender to make additional loans. More specifically, the PPPLF extends term credit to lenders who are making PPP loans using previously issued PPP loans as collateral.
COVID-19 EIDL Updates: Applications are OPEN for the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans. New funding was provided in the Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2021.
Increase in Loan Limits: SBA increases the maximum amount a small business and non-profit organization can borrow. Starting the week of April 6, 2021, the SBA is raising the loan limit for the COVID-19 EIDL program from 6-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $150,000 to up to 24-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000. https://www.sba.gov/article/2021/mar/24/sba-increase-lending-limit-covid-19-economic-injury-disaster-loans
National-Level Data Update: The US Small Business Administration released program utilization information for the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). https://www.sba.gov/document/report-sba-covid-relief-program-report As of March 23, over 3.7 million EIDL loans have been approved in the US for a total of $201.1 billion with 96% of those funds being disbursed. Overall, 65% of the loans were from under $50,000, representing 25% of the funds. Small business in California received the largest amount of funds and largest amount of money (approximately 17%).
SBA Weekly Lending Report on Race and Ethnicity of Clients: The US Small Business Administration’s most recent weekly lending report for its core SBA products is for the week ending March 26, 2021. Information includes race, ethnicity, gender, and veteran participation in the SBA 7(a), 504, and Advantage Loan Programs. https://www.sba.gov/document/report-2021-weekly-lending-reports
Small Business Disaster Loan Guarantee Program: The Small Business Finance Center at the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank administers a credit enhancement (loan guarantee) as a way to encourage traditional and mission-driven lenders to loan money to small businesses who have been impacted by a disaster. https://cdn.ibank.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/JLBC-2.26.2021-Website.pdf Below is the most recent program activity.
State Small Business Disaster Loan Guarantee Program (February 26, 2021)
Conditionally Approved
Loan Amount
Guarantee Amount
Amount Encumbered
Employees
Total
1359
$ 55,971,346
$ 53,001,062
$ 26,500,531
6825
The IBank provides the Joint Legislative Budget Committee an update monthly.
CURRENT GUIDANCE ON STATE COVID-19 AND RECOVERY ACTIONS
[This is a “quick-source” section that includes new and previously provided information.]
Blueprint for a Safer Economy: Businesses can check out the status of the reopening of their county through the Blueprint for a Safer Economy (https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/). This is the state’s four tier reopening plan. Tier 1 (purple) has the most restrictions and Tier 4 (yellow) has the fewest. As of March 30, 2021:
13 counties are moving to a less restrictive tier (local public health departments may implement policies that are more restrictive than the state)
From Purple (widespread) to Red (substantial): Fresno, Glenn, Kings, Madera, and Yuba.
From Red (substantial) to Orange (moderate): Alameda, Butte, Colusa, Los Angeles, Modoc, Orange, Santa Cruz, and Tuolumne.
Three counties remain in the Purple tier, 36 in the Red tier, 17 in the Orange tier and two are in the Yellow tier.
Equity Metric Added to Blueprint for Re-Opening: The Blueprint for a Safer Economy was expanded on October 6, 2020, to include a health equity metric. This information will be used in combination with the county’s case rate and test positivity rates to determine a county's tier. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/CaliforniaHealthEquityMetric.aspx The purpose of this new metric reflects the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has had on certain population groups, including rates of hospitalizations and death.
Outdoor Activities under the Blueprint for a Safer Economy: The California Department of Public Health updated the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy reopening framework relative to outdoor activities. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR21-075.aspx Under the new guidelines, outdoor ballparks, stadiums, and theme parks may reopen on April 1, with reduced capacity, mandatory masking, and other specified public health precautions.
Vaccine Equity: The Blueprint has been modified to include both the level of overall vaccinations across California, as well as the vaccination of individuals living in the state's Vaccine Equity Quartile communities. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/COVID19CountyMonitoringOverview.aspx In addition, 40% of the state’s vaccine allowance is being allocated to communities hardest hit by the virus.
Searchable Database of Workforce Guidelines: The California Labor and Workforce Agency developed and launched a searchable employer guideline portal for COVID-19 guidelines. https://saferatwork.covid19.ca.gov/employers/employer-portal/ This is a customizable search engine that includes state and local guidelines. https://www.labor.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/338/2021/02/COVID-Employer-Portal-Press-Release-LWDA.pdf “The portal, available in English and Spanish, pulls all COVID-19 guidance and requirements from trusted state, county and city sources, including from the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. In addition, it provides information about employee benefits, paid sick leave and immediate steps to take in the event of a COVID-19 case at work. To ensure accurate information at all times, the portal will be updated with local and state guidance on an ongoing basis.”
Shop Safe Shop Local: GO-Biz is leading a campaign to remind Californians to shop local and help small businesses prepare for the business realities of COVID-19. The #ShopSafeShopLocal website highlights free / discounted resources to help small businesses get digital, find e-commerce tools, learn more about industry guidance, locate small business centers, and access PPE. https://business.ca.gov/shopsafeshoplocal/
Safely Making Web Platform: California manufacturers who produce PPE, including face masks and gloves, can advertise their wares on https://www.safelymakingca.org/. The website is a joint effort by the California Manufacturers and Technology Association (CMTA) and the State of California. A manufacturer does not have to be a member of CMTA to participate. To apply, manufacturers should complete this form. At his September 9, 2020, press conference, Governor Newsom announced that the web platform currently included 450 California manufacturers.