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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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On December 21, 2021, the Oakland City Council passed an emergency
ordinance to reduce the spread of COVID-19 that requires patrons 12 and older to show proof of vaccination to enter many indoor facilities. For those 18 and older, the vaccination card must be cross-checked with the individual’s photo ID. Business are required to post a notice by January 15, 2022. Starting February 1, people will be required to show proof that they have been vaccinated to enter some places 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
- City Hall
- Large indoor events at City- and privately-owned facilities
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New OFD Designation may Lower Cost of Commercial Property Insurance for
Businesses
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Cal/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards
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Federal OSHA Vaccine and Testing Mandate
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The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the U.S. Department of Labor has issued an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace. The Federal OSHA ETS applies to employers that have 100 or more
employees and requires that all employees be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing among additional requirements.
To provide employers with sufficient time to comply, OSHA will not issue citations for noncompliance with any requirements of the ETS before January 10, 2022, and will not issue citations for noncompliance with the standard’s testing requirements before February 9, 2022 so long as an employer is exercising reasonable, good faith efforts to comply with the standard. OSHA will work closely with the regulated community to provide compliance assistance.
For more information including fact sheets, tool kits and more, see the Federal OSHA ETS page.
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Apply for CalCompetes Tax Credit
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The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to stay and grow their business in California. Businesses of any industry, size or location compete for millions in available tax credits. Applications will be analyzed based on various factors, including the number of jobs being created or retained, amount of investment and strategic importance to the state or region. Since 2015, more than a dozen Oakland businesses have received tax credits of over $41 million to create quality full-time jobs.
To help businesses apply, a California Competes Tax Credit webinar will be held on Tuesday, January
18. An application guide and tutorial videos are also available. The application period closes January 24, 2022.
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Commercial Eviction Protection Assistance
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The Oakland City Ordinances that prevented commercial evictions of small businesses and non-profit organizations for nonpayment of rent ended in September 2021. Back rent may be due in full depending on the payment plan or other agreement negotiated between the tenant and landlord. The moratorium on residential evictions remains in effect until the end of the Local Emergency as declared by the Oakland City Council.
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 later in this email for upcoming eviction and commercial lease webinars hosted by LCCR.
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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
Expansion Capital for Profitable Businesses More Than 2 Years OldTuesday, January 18, 10:30 a.m. – NoonNorCal SBDCFree Buy or Sell
your BusinessWednesday, January 19, 10:30 a.m. – NoonNorCal SBDCFree How to Sell to Corporations: Session 3
Friday, January 21, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
NorCal SBDC
Free Starting a Cottage Food Business – Part 1Monday, January 24, 2 – 4 p.m. NorCal SBDC Restaurant ProgramFree Estás Listo Para Iniciar Tu Negocio?Monday, January 24, 5 – 7 p.m. Renaissance Entrepreneurship CenterFree Marketing in a Post-COVID WorldMonday, January 24, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Renaissance Entrepreneurship CenterFree Owning and Investing in Real Estate for Small Businesses and EntrepreneursTuesday, January 25, 10:30 a.m. – Noon NorCal SBDCFree Commercial Lease and ADA ComplianceTuesday, January 25, 3 – 5 p.m.Lawyers’ Committee for Civil RightsFree Financial Bootcamp Part 1
Wednesday, January 26, 10 – 11:30 a.m. NorCal
SBDCFree Digital Marketing on a Budget: An Overview for Small
BusinessesWednesday, January 26, 3 – 4 p.m. AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center Free Digital Marketing on a Budget: An Overview for Small BusinessesWednesday, January 27, 10 – 11 a.m.AnewAmerica Women’s Business Free How to Sell to Corporations: Session 4
Friday, January 28, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
NorCal SBDC
Free Digital Marketing on a Budget: An Overview for Small BusinessesFriday, January 28, Noon – 1 p.m. AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center Free Starting a Cottage Food Business – Part 2Monday,
January 31, 2 – 4 p.m. NorCal SBDC Restaurant ProgramFree Is NOT having a Website Costing You Money? Create One Yourself ! (PART2 ) Monday, January 31, 6 – 7:30 p.m. AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center Free Writing a Compelling Business PlanWednesday, February 2, Noon – 4:30 p.m.SCORE East Bay$23 Access to Capital for Small BusinessesThursday, February 3, 10 – 11 a.m. Renaissance Entrepreneurship CenterFree Financial Management for your BusinessThursday, February 3, 10 – 11:30 a.m. NorCal SBDCFree Know Your Rights: Commercial EvictionTuesday, February 8, 3 – 4 p.m. Lawyers’ Committee for Civil RightsFree Marketing your BusinessThursday, February 10, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. NorCal SBDCFree Planning for ProfitThursday, February 10, 1 – 4 p.m. SCORE East Bay$23 Legal Issues for the Small Business StartupFriday, February 11, 9 a.m. – NoonSCORE East Bay$23 How to Sell at a Farmers’ MarketMonday, February 28, 2 – 4 p.m. NorCal SBDCFree
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