Regional Stay at Home Orders become effective within 48 hours and remain in place for at least three weeks. Under the Regional Stay at Home Order, gatherings of any size are prohibited and all operations must close except for critical infrastructure and retail. There are also requirements for 100% masking and physical distancing.
Status Report: According to the announcement, no regions are currently under this new Order. However, several regions are at risk of having less than 15% ICU capacity within the next week: Northern California (18.6% ICU capacity), Bay Area (25.3%), Greater Sacramento (22.2%), San Joaquin Valley (19.7%), and Southern California (20.6%).
The five regions are:
Northern California: Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity
Bay Area: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma
A new $500 million Small Business and Small Nonprofit Grant Program. Qualifying small businesses and nonprofits can receive awards of up to $25,000. https://business.ca.gov/osba-signup/
An automatic three-month extension (interest free) on sales and use tax payments to the state for taxpayers filing less than $1 million in sales tax. https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/
New authority for three-month extension (interest free) on the payment of sales and use taxes to the state for taxpayers filing less than $5 million in sales tax. https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/
Chamber Letter to US Congress: More than 100 chambers of commerce wrote to the California Congressional Delegation to urge action on immediate relief to small businesses. https://mcusercontent.com/7a85fcb16ce5853a6db29187d/files/5182d030-adfd-4c9e-8d53-300bca0ae364/Federal_Relief_for_Small_Businesses_12320.pdf Signatories to the letter include: Alpine County Chamber of Commerce, Arcata Chamber of Commerce, Brawley Chamber of Commerce, Corona Chamber of Commerce, Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce, Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, Imperial Valley Joint Chambers of Commerce, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, North Orange County Chamber, North San Diego Business Chamber, Sacramento Metro Chamber, and Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce.
Update on Federal Stimulus Package: According to news reports, a centrist group of Senators proposed an alternative stimulus package of $908 billion. This package is $900 billion less than the agreement that Pelosi and Mnuchin had almost reached, but $400 billion above the earlier Senate “skinny stimulus” bill. This smaller package does not include a second round of stimulus checks. Key provisions of the initial package with modifications noted are reported to include:
Enhanced federal unemployment benefits for four months at a rate of $300 per week
A six-month moratorium on coronavirus-related lawsuits
$160 billion in funding for state and local governments – ongoing discussions are noting that this item may be closer to $240 billion on Friday
$288 billion in funding to support small business, including additional Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds
$82 billion in education funding$16 billion for vaccine development and distribution as well contact tracing and Covid-19 testing
$10 billion for the U.S. Postal Service
$4 billion for student loan relief
One-Year Insurance Cancellation Moratorium: Insurance Commissioner Lara issued a Moratorium Order which expanded the zip codes eligible for the mandatory one-year moratorium on insurance companies non-renewing or canceling residential property insurance policies. http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/0100-press-releases/2020/release132-2020.cfm The expansion included nearly 347,000 Los Angeles County policyholders affected by the 2020 Bobcat wildfire. To date, nearly 2.4 million policyholders statewide have benefited from a 2018 law authored by the Commissioner when serving in the State Legislature, which authorized this type of moratorium order.
Federal Reserve Discusses Disproportionate Impacts of the Pandemic: Federal Reserve Commissioner Brainard spoke to the Chicago Community Trust regarding proposed changes to the federal Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The deadline for receiving comments on the changes is February 16, 2021. In addition to talking about the CRA changes, Commissioner made the following comments relative to the current state of communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic: “The disproportionate effects of the pandemic on low-income and minority households and the importance of an equitable recovery are also a key focus of the Federal Reserve. While creating hardship for all, the pandemic has inflicted disproportionate economic pain on vulnerable businesses, sectors, and demographic groups, which risks entrenching a K-shaped recovery that is weaker overall. Small businesses in consumer-facing sectors, along with many low-income workers, women workers, and Black and Hispanic workers, are at a precarious stage of the pandemic. Even as we are buoyed by news that effective vaccines may be widely available by next summer, COVID case counts are resurgent, and many low- and moderate-income households are facing the exhaustion of unemployment benefits, the depletion of savings from CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) programs, and the fear that eviction moratoriums and forbearance for mortgages and student loans will soon end. While the Paycheck Protection Program provided some relief to many small businesses earlier in the year, that sector remains under pressure, and many small businesses in sectors hit hard by virus restrictions are facing dwindling cash buffers… Similarly today, it is vitally important to provide a lifeline to hard-hit households and businesses facing the harsh reality of a resurgent COVID second wave as a bridge to the time an effective vaccine will be widely available.”
Mnuchin Testimony Before Congress: US Treasury Secretary Mnuchin testified before the Financial Services Committee of the US House of Representatives on December 2, 2020, regarding the economic impact of COVID-19 on the US economy. https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1198 “Based on recent economic data, I continue to believe that a targeted fiscal package is the most appropriate federal response. I strongly encourage Congress to use the $455 billion in unused funds from the CARES Act to pass an additional bill with bipartisan support. The Administration is standing ready to support Congress in this effort to help American workers and small businesses that continue to struggle with the impact of COVID-19.”
California Truth and Healing Council: Governor Newsom joined Tribal Leaders virtually as they hold the inaugural meeting of the California Truth and Healing Council. https://cal-span.org/unipage/index.php?site=cal-span&meeting=3905&owner=CNAHC The Governor participated in a discussion to advance the Council's work of examining the mistreatment, violence and neglect inflicted upon California Native American peoples throughout the state’s history.
Digital Pop-Up Festivals: The California Office of the Small Business Advocate, which is located within GO-Biz, has been working with stakeholder partners for the last several months to help small businesses prepare for online retail and services though their Get Digital CA! initiative. https://business.ca.gov/advantages/small-business-innovation-and-entrepreneurship/get-digital-ca/ In some regions this work has culminated in Pop-Up festivals to showcase holiday shopping opportunities.
Los Angeles Love Local Pop-Up Festival was held on November 18. IG handle @timeoutla
The Keep It Oakland Virtual Bazaar is coming up on December 9. IG handle @keepitoakland18
The Fresno Virtual Holiday Market is coming up on December 10. IG handle @evalongoriafoundation
The Stockton Strong Digital Festival is coming up on December 11. IG handle @stockmarketca
New Members to the Federal Investor Advisory Committee: Securities and Exchange Commission announced the appointment of eight new members to its Investor Advisory Committee. The Committee, established under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, is charged with, among other things, advising the Commission on regulatory priorities, regulation of securities products and disclosure requirements, including on the materiality of climate risk and the efficacy of impact investments. The new members of the Investor Advisory Committee are:
Jamila A. Abston, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP
Cambria Allen-Ratzlaff, Corporate Governance Director, UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust
Brian A. Hellmer, Managing Director, Global Public Market Strategies at State of Wisconsin Investment Board
Sandra J. Peters, Senior Head, Global Financial Reporting Policy, CFA Institute
Paul Sommerstad, Partner, Cerity Partners
Alice Stinebaugh, Social Studies Department Chair, Parkland School District, and Adjunct Instructor in Economics, University of Scranton
Joanne Yoo, Managing Director, Development Partners International
Leslie Van Buskirk, Administrator, Division of Securities at State of Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, who replaces Craig Goettsch, Director of Investor Education and Consumer Outreach, Iowa Insurance Division, as the statutory representative of state securities commissions.
GOOD NEWS FOR SMALL BUSINESS FRIENDS
California Women Business Center Editorial: Nancy Swift, Chair of the California Women’s Business Center Network, had an editorial published in The Hill. https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/politics/527692-women-business-owners-are-contributing-to-our-economic-recovery The editorial discusses the challenges women entrepreneurs face and the need for additional federal stimulus funding for small businesses. The editorial is well documented and includes many hyperlinks to reports and other corroborating evidence. Good Job Nancy! Women Entrepreneurs Rock!
Governor made appointments to the California Department of Veteran’s Affairs (CDVA):
Keith Boylan was reappointed Deputy Secretary of Veteran Services at the CVDA, where he has “served in that position since 2013. Boylan was Government Relations Liaison at the California Association of Veteran Service Agencies from 2012 to 2013 and Government Relations and Community Education Manager at the Institute for Veteran Policy from 2008 to 2012. He was Owner and Operator of Boylan Window Fashions from 2004 to 2008 and Gulf War Program Coordinator at Swords to Plowshares from 1998 to 2003. Boylan was a Tactical Fire Specialist in the U.S. Army from 1989 to 1992.”
John Spangler was reappointed Deputy Secretary of Legislation and Government Relations at the CVVA, where he has “served since 2017. He has served in several positions for the U.S. Army Reserve since 2010 and currently is a Major in the Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Spangler held several positions at the U.S. Marine Corps from 2001 to 2010, including Military Police Platoon Sergeant and Regulatory Program Analyst for Marine Corps Installations West at Camp Pendleton. Spangler was Chief Consultant for the California State Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs from 2011 to 2017. He served as a Regulatory Program Analyst in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2009 to 2011. Spangler was a teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District from 2007 to 2009. He served as a Deputy Attorney General at the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General from 2002 to 2005, as Staff Counsel at the Office of the Inspector General from 2000 to 2002 and as Staff Counsel at the California Department of Toxic Substances Control from 1998 to 2000.”
Nearly 800 elected, civic, and business leaders joined the ninth annual California Economic Summit https://cafwd.org/summit/
Governor Gavin Newsom joined the second day of the 2020 California Economic Summit to discuss pandemic preparation and recovery, housing legislation in 2021, and more.
The “Next Generation of Leaders” panel offered thoughtful advice to their older peers on how to engage with the younger generation.
Launched the California Dream Index, an online data platform that tracks and measures 10 indicators of economic security, mobility, and inclusion. The index provides a platform to connect to other data and indices that can be used to analyze data by county, region, race and ethnicity, income, and educational attainment over time. https://cafwd.org/california-dream-index/
Participants joined workgroups focused on centering equity in their work including: Increasing Community Investment; Expanding Home Ownership; Broadband for All; Strengthening Education Cradle to Career; Empowering Resilient and Productive Landscapes; Investing in Small Businesses Owned by People of Color; Advancing Manufacturing; and Planning Regional Inclusive Economies.
Participants joined regional discussions to prioritize and determine how best to leverage the new information and relationships gained during the Summit to address regional priorities.
Assembly Member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry announced during a Bridging the Digital Divide panel on which she was speaking that she will introduce the Internet for All Act of 2021 on Monday, December 7.
California Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) participated on a panel moderated by Tia Boatman, the Governor’s Special Advisor on Housing, to discuss homeownership and equity. Pro tem Atkins announced that a group of housing bills will be introduced when the California Legislature convenes next week.
California Labor Secretary Julie Su moderated a workshop on the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Work.
Annual Stewardship Awards:
Isabella Casillas Guzman, the California Small Business Advocate, was presented with the 2020 California Steward Leader of the Year.
Dr. Alma Salazar, longtime Economic Summit leader, was posthumously recognized as the Regional Steward of the Year. Dr. Salazar was a former member of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and the executive vice president of UNITE-LA.
Leon Panetta, founder and Director of The Panetta Institute to Public Policy provided this advice to California Economic Summit attendees: “We can grow if we can expand opportunity for all in every region, in every income level and invest in our innovators, but for this to happen we’ve all got to step up.” Panetta referred to his time as U.S. Secretary of Defense and working with members of the military, saying, “We need to have that same kind of courage here in California so that all of us can continue to fight together to make sure that we have a resilient recovery and that we give all of our people the opportunity to live that California Dream.”
New Assembly Majority Leader: Assembly Speaker Rendon announced he is appointing Assemblymember Eloise Reyes (D-San Bernardino) as Assembly Majority Leader for the 2021-22 Session. Assemblymember Reyes will be the fourth woman and the first Latina ever to serve as Assembly Majority Leader in California.
Angie Wei Appointed as Governor’s Legislative Affairs Secretary: Governor Newsom appointed Angie Wei as Legislative Affairs Secretary in the Office of the Governor. Secretary “Wei has served as Special Advisor to the Governor since January, having previously served as Chief Deputy for Policy in the Office of the Governor from 2019 to 2020. Prior to joining the Governor’s office, Wei was Chief of Staff at the California Labor Federation from 2011 to 2018, where she held several positions from 2000 to 2011, including Legislative Director and Public Policy Director. She was a Program Associate at PolicyLink in 2000, Policy Analyst at the California Immigrant Welfare Collaborative from 1998 to 1999 and Policy Director at the Northern California Coalition for Immigrant Rights from 1996 to 1998. Wei earned a Master of Public Policy degree from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.”
DATA, SURVEYS, AND ANALYSES
State Unemployment Benefit Data: The Employment Development Department (EDD) released new unemployment insurance data for California on November 14, 2020. https://www.edd.ca.gov/newsroom.htm Among other information, the weekly Unemployment Benefits report for the period prior to the shutdown states:
33,992initial Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PAU) claims were filed for the week ending November 14, 2020.
Over 6.4 million initial unemployment benefit claims have been filed with EDD between March 14 and November 14, 2020.
November Employment Data: US Bureau of Labor Statistics released national-level employment data for November 2020. https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/economicdata/empsit_12042020.pdf According to the report, total US nonfarm payroll employment rose by 245,000 jobs in November, reflecting a 6.7% unemployment rate (down 8% since the high in April 2020). In releasing the data, the BLS stated: “However, the pace of improvement in the labor market has moderated in recent months. In November, notable job gains occurred in transportation and warehousing, professional and business services, and health care. Employment declined in government and retail trade.”
December Beige Book: The Federal Reserve issued its Summary of Commentary on Current Economic Conditions By Federal Reserve District, which provides a profile and commentary on current economic conditions of the US by Federal Reserve District. https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/files/BeigeBook_20201202.pdf The executive summary states the following regarding the San Francisco Federal reserve District, which includes Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington: “Economic activity in the District expanded modestly. Employment levels increased slightly, while price inflation showed little change. Sales of retail goods rose appreciably, but conditions in the services sector were unchanged. Manufacturing expanded moderately, and the agriculture sector improved slightly. Residential real estate activity continued to grow, while commercial markets changed little. Lending activity increased mildly.”
Small Business Pulse Survey: The US Census Bureau released new data from the third phase of the Small Business Pulse Survey. This data was collected between November 23 and 28, 2020. https://portal.census.gov/pulse/data/ A selection of results is reported below.
34.8% of responding businesses in California reported that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a large negative impact on their business. This is 6% higher than the national average.
13.3% of responding businesses in California reported they had less workers in the review week than the prior week.
42% of responding businesses in California reported re-hiring employees that had been laid off after March 15, 2020.
Trade Data Released: The US Census Bureau and the US Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit was $63.1 billion in October, up $1.0 billion from September (revised). https://www.bea.gov/news/2020/us-international-trade-goods-and-services-october-2020 US October 2020 exports were $182.0 billion (+$4.0 billion more than the prior month). October 2020 imports were $245.1 billion (+$5.0 billion more than the prior month).
The deficit with China increased $2.2 billion to $26.5 billion in October 2020.
The deficit with Mexico increased $1.1 billion to $11.8 billion in October 2020.
The deficit with the European Union decreased -$1.6 billion to $15.7 billion in October.
CA Trade Activity: Beacon Economic has released its monthly analysis of California trade activity. This report analyzes data released by the US Census Bureau’s Foreign Trade Division. https://beaconecon.com/publications/california-trade-report/ Report is free with registration.
The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on California Latinos: The California Latino Economic Institute released a new policy brief that provides new data on the disparate and growing negative impact of COVID-19 on Latinos in California. The briefing was conducted in partnership with Mindy Romero of the Center for Inclusive Democracy (CID) at the USC Price School of Public Policy. http://www.californialei.org/covid The announcement identified the following findings from the briefing:
Latinos are overrepresented among California’s COVID-19 cases and deaths—59% of cases and 49% of the state’s deaths.
Latino overrepresentation in California’s cases has increased since April 2020.
Nearly 12% of California Latinos are currently uninsured—double the rate of other groups.
Latino unemployment rates are double those from the same time last year.
Nearly two-thirds of California Latinos report experiencing a loss of employment income since March 2020.
Over 40% of Latinos currently report that it is somewhat or very difficult to pay their usual household expenses in the last 7 days.
Over three-quarters of California small business owners report that COVID-19 has had a moderate to large effect on their businesses.
Social Innovation Impact Report: Governor Newsom issued a Social Innovation Impact Report highlighting innovative public-private partnerships. https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/11/24/socialinnovationimpactreport/ According to the report, California’s public private partnerships, including corporate, philanthropic, and nonprofit partners, contributed $3.9 billion toward important community development goals, including 6,055 people who were without housing finding a permanent place to live and 6,177 formerly incarcerated individuals receiving housing and social services.
GRANTS AND TAX CREDITS
Small Business Grant Fund Administer: GO-Biz issued an RFP to solicit applications for an administer to the $500 million Small Business and Small Nonprofit Grant Program. The grant administrator will be responsible for all aspects of overseeing the program, including distributing the grants and subcontracting with eligible small business service providers. https://caleprocure.ca.gov/event/0509/0000018094 Applications are due by December 10, 2020.
Small Business Tax Credit: December 1, 2020, marks the beginning of the application period for the Small Business Tax Credit. The attached joint letter includes information on how to reserve tax credits and where to get technical assistance. The Small Business Tax Credit was established through the enactment of SB 1447 (Bradford, Caballero, and Cervantes) in September 2020.
Credit Reservations Are Required: To receive a tax credit tentative reservation, qualifying small businesses need to apply to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) between December 1, 2020, and January 15, 2021. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis. The CDTFA has authority to accept up to $100 million in tax credits.
Special CARES Act Donation Provisions: The Internal Revenue Service issued a reminder to taxpayers that may be of interest to nonprofits. The CARES Act authorized a special new tax provision that will allow more people to deduct up to $300 in donations to qualifying charities in 2020. The cash donation must be made prior to December 2020. The deduction may be applied against tax liability even if the taxpayer does not itemize deductions. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/special-300-tax-deduction-helps-most-people-give-to-charity-this-year-even-if-they-dont-itemize According to the announcement, “nearly nine in 10 taxpayers now take the standard deduction and could potentially qualify for this new tax deduction. In tax-year 2018, the most recent year for which complete figures are available, more than 134 million taxpayers claimed the standard deduction, just over 87% of all filers. Under this new change, individual taxpayers can claim an "above-the-line" deduction of up to $300 for cash donations made to charity during 2020. This means the deduction lowers both adjusted gross income and taxable income – translating into tax savings for those making donations to qualifying tax-exempt organizations.”
2020 CA Opportunity Zone & Promise Zone Webinar: Existing law requires GO-Biz to annually hold an event to share information about state resources available to assist communities, businesses, and individuals located in Opportunity Zones and Promise Zones. This year’s event is being held on Wednesday, December 9 at 12:30 pm. The first 500 people who resister will be able to participate on the Zoom platform. The event will also be broadcast on the GO-Biz’ YouTube Channel. Registration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ti23I2inTUCgxzN6kf-aqAAgenda: https://tinyurl.com/y6mc6ccz
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.
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.
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.
STATUS REPORTS ON SMALL BUSINESS LENDING
[This is a “quick-source” section that includes new and previously provided information.]
COVID-19 Payment Protection Program: This program is closed to new applicants. As of August 8, 5.2 million PPP loans have been approved in the US for a total of $525 billion. In California, 623,360 PPP loans have been approved for a total of $68.6 billion: https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2020-08/PPP_Report%20-%202020-08-10.pdf
COVID-19 EIDL Aggregate-Level Data Update: The US Small Business Administration released program utilization information for the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). As of November 23, over 3.6 million EIDL loans have been approved in the US for a total of $194.3 billion. In California, 60,893 EIDL loans have been approved for a total of $34.5 billion. Link to a PowerPoint displaying data for loan activity through 11/23/2020: https://www.sba.gov/document/report-covid-19-eidl-loans-report-11-23-20.
CA Small Business Loans Addressing the Wildfires: The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services received updates from the US Small Business Administration on small businesses that are utilizing the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Home Loans.
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. Below is the most recent program activity.
State Small Business Disaster Loan Guarantee Program (November 2020)
Conditionally Approved
Loan Amount
Guarantee Amount
Amount Encumbered
Employees
Total
757
$24,951,562
$23,581,011
$11,790,506
3586
The IBank provides the Joint Legislative Budget Committee an update monthly.
BA 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 November 27, 2020. Information includes race, ethnicity, gender, and veteran participation in the SBA 7(a), 504, and Advantage Loan Programs. https://www.sba.gov/document/report-2020-weekly-lending-reports
Data received from Great Plates Data Portal updated on Sundays.
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. Progress in addressing the backlog is tracked through these two dashboards:
Unemployment Continued Claims Backlog Dashboard: Reflects individuals who received at least one payment and are now waiting more than 21 days for further processing of payment or disqualification in this week-by-week eligibility based program.
SHOP SMALL FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Digital Pop-Up Festivaland E-Commerce Bootcamps: The California Office of the Small Business Advocate (OSBA) is using their Get Digital CA!website to support Small Business Saturday and shopping at local small businesses throughout the holiday season. The website includes continually updated information and links to partner-hosted digital bootcamps; the Technology Learning Center; and discounts, free tools, and resources in the Shop Safe Shop Localwebsite. The GO-Biz website will be updated with the festival information on November 19 and December 9-11.
Holiday Gift Guides:
Small Business Majority announced they will be launching a Holiday Gift Guide in time for Small Business Saturday. Inclusion in the Holiday Gift Guide is free to qualifying small businesses. Approved applicants will be featured on Small Business Majority’s website from November 16, 2020, through January 1, 2021, and will also receive a toolkit to help participating small businesses to share the Holiday Gift Guide with their customers. https://go.smallbusinessmajority.org/l/229072/2020-10-13/9w1wn In order to be considered, a small business must: apply by November 9, 2020; have less than 100 employees; be located in the US; have a website where people can find information about their products or services; and have a “giftable” product or service, including gift cards.
REDF is already hosting a Social Enterprise Gift Guide for products produced from around the US, including the Homeless Garden Project in Santa Cruz and Vena Vena Handcrafted, which was launched from a homeless shelter in downtown LA. http://socialenterprisegiftguide.com/
FREE WEBINARS
JEDE maintains a list of on-demand webinars on our website. You can access this list at https://ajed.assembly.ca.gov/content/demand-webinars-available-24-7. Webinars cover a range of topics, including federal disaster programs, marketing during the COVID-19 pandemic, and accessing international markets.
