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This is an update from the City of Oakland’s Economic & Workforce
Development Department (EWDD) for businesses, nonprofits, independent contractors and our partner organizations who support them. These are just highlights of available resources. For information about worker benefits, grants, loans and support services available, please visit our Business & Worker Resource web page. The site is updated regularly as more information becomes available, so please check it often.
Vaccinations and boosters remain the best protection against COVID-19, preventing most related hospitalizations and deaths. Alameda County has posted an Employer Vaccination Toolkit for businesses interested in supporting their employees in getting vaccinated.
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Oakland Proof of Vaccination Requirements
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Starting February 1, people 12 and older are required to show proof that they have been vaccinated to enter many indoor facilities in Oakland, like:
- Establishments or events where
food or drink is served including restaurants, bars, coffee houses, clubs, and banquet halls
- Entertainment venues including theaters, concert venues, museums, and recreation facilities
- Gyms, fitness centers and yoga studios
- Senior adult care facilities and City senior programs
- Large indoor events at City- and privately-owned facilities
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Get Involved in the General Plan
Update
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Help shape the City of Oakland’s General Plan Update by participating in upcoming community meetings. This once-in-a-generation opportunity for all Oaklanders to create a visionary blueprint together that will inform policy priorities through 2045. Visit the General Plan Update web page for a roster of events and meetings and don’t forget to sign up for updates.
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Take the Oakland Chamber’s Small Business Survey & Receive FREE limited Chamber membership for 2022
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To better serve Oakland’s small businesses during this crucial time of COVID
recovery, the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce is seeking to gather data about the current challenges and ongoing impact of COVID on Oakland's small business community. Please fill out this survey (only 10 short questions!) to help ensure that programming and resources offered align with the needs of
Oakland small businesses. *BONUS*: All small (under 20 employees) brick-and-mortar businesses who complete this survey will receive a FREE limited membership to the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce for the remainder of 2022, with benefits of an online listing, promotion, access to other Chamber members, invitations to Chamber events and programming, and updates on public policy. For questions or inquiries, please email Shifra de Benedictis-Kessner, the Oakland Chamber’s Director of Small Business and Workforce.
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Commercial Electric Kitchen Rebate
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To support the state’s and City’s ambitious climate goals, East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) is
offering rebates of up to $17,500 to its customers who upgrade to an electric kitchen. Available on a first-come, first-served basis, the rebates cover induction and electrical materials and equipment. See the Rebate Fact Sheet and
apply at https://ebce.org/commercial-kitchens/.
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Commercial Eviction Protection Assistance
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Through grants from the City of Oakland, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area (LCCR) continues to provide commercial lease negotiation assistance to small business owners.
See the Workshops section below for an upcoming eviction and commercial lease webinar hosted by LCCR on February 8 in three languages.
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Waste Prevention Grants – Apply by February 25
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StopWaste is offering grants with a total of $700,000 available in funding, for projects that focus on preventing waste in Alameda County and supporting local communities in these categories:
- Reuse & Repair (up to $20,000)
- Food Waste Prevention & Recovery (up to $20,000)
- Reusable Foodware Pilot Projects ($5,000 to $50,000)
- Surplus Food Donation Equipment (nonprofits only, up to $10,000)
- Reusable
Transport Packaging (up to $10,000)
Businesses, nonprofits and institutions are eligible for funding, unless noted otherwise. For details visit www.StopWaste.org/Grants. Application deadline is February 25, 2022.
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Dining for Justice Launched
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Launched January 10 by Oakland-based nonprofit Community Kitchens, the Dining for Justice program will add a “one penny for every dollar” surcharge to diners’ bills at participating restaurants to fund thousands of quality meals every month to feed Oakland’s vulnerable residents. Oakland restaurants can join the nearly two dozen businesses that are participating in Dining For Justice by committing to the restaurant pledge and by preparing community meals. When a restaurant displays the Dining For Justice logo in its window, it means that restaurant is part of the coalition working together to make sure no one in Oakland goes without hot food.
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Upcoming Online Workshops & Webinars
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Virtual Lawyers in the Library
Tuesday evenings, Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons
Oakland Public Library
Free
Is NOT Having a Website Costing You Money? Create One Yourself! (Part 1)
Tuesday, February 8, 10 – 11 a.m.
AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center
Free
Know Your Rights: Commercial Eviction (English, Spanish and Mandarin)
Tuesday, February 8, 3 – 4 p.m.
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
Free
Financial Bootcamp Part 2
Wednesday, February 9, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
NorCal SBDC
Free
Is NOT having a Website Costing You Money? Create One Yourself! (PART2)
Wednesday, February 9, 3 – 4:30 p.m.
AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center
Free
Acceso a Capital para Pequeños
Negocios
Wednesday, February 9, 6 – 7 p.m.
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center
Free
Marketing your Business
Thursday, February 10, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
NorCal SBDC
Free
Planning for Profit
Thursday, February 10, 1 – 4 p.m.
SCORE East Bay
$23
COVID Impacted Businesses! Still Looking for Money?
Thursday, February 10, 6 – 7 p.m.
AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center
Free
Legal Issues for the Small Business Startup
Friday, February 11, 9 a.m. –
Noon
SCORE East Bay
$23
Is NOT Having a Website Costing You Money? Create One Yourself! (Part 1)
Friday, February 11, Noon – 1 p.m.
AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center
Free
Future-Proof your Partnerships: Navigating the New World of Business–Nonprofit Alliances
Tuesday, February 15, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
Free
Economic Incentives/Tax Credits for California Manufacturers
Tuesday, February 15, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
CMTC and the CA Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)
Free
Marketing for your Small Business
Tuesday, February 15, 10:30 a.m. – Noon
NorCal SBDC
Free
Financial Bootcamp Part 3
Wednesday, February 16, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
NorCal SBDC
Free
Virtual Legal Clinic
Thursday, February 17, 4 – 6 p.m.
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
Free
Digital Marketing on a Budget: An Overview for Small Businesses
Tuesday, February 22, 10 – 11 a.m.
AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center
Free
Using Crowdfunding to Fund New Innovations or Small Businesses
Tuesday, February 22, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
NorCal SBDC
Free
Is NOT Having a Website Costing You Money? Create One Yourself! (Part
1)
Tuesday, February 22, 2 – 3 p.m.
AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center
Free
Is NOT having a Website Costing You Money? Create One Yourself! (PART2)
Wednesday, February 23, 10:30 a.m. – Noon
AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center
Free
COVID Impacted
Businesses! Still Looking for Money?
Wednesday, February 23, 3 – 4 p.m.
AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center
Free
Build Generational Wealth
Thursday, February 24, 6 p.m.
Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce
Free
Digital Marketing on a Budget: An Overview for Small Businesses
Thursday, February 24, 6 – 7 p.m.
AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center
Free
Global Diversity and Investment Summit
Friday, February 25, 10 a.m. – Noon
NorCal SBDC
Free
Is NOT having a Website Costing You Money? Create One Yourself! (PART2)
Friday, February 25, Noon – 1:30 p.m.
AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center
Free
Digital
Marketing on a Budget: An Overview for Small Businesses
Monday, February 28, 2 – 3 p.m.
AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center
Free
How to Sell at a Farmers’ Market
Monday, February 28, 2 – 4 p.m.
NorCal SBDC
Free
Bankruptcy Webinar (English & Spanish)
Tuesday, March 8, 3 – 4 p.m.
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
Free
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