|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oakland Proof of Vaccination Requirements
|
|
|
On December 21, 2022, 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 were 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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dining for Justice Launched
|
|
|
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 the restaurant is part of the coalition working together to make sure no one in Oakland goes without hot food.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New OFD Designation may Lower Cost of Commercial Property Insurance for
Businesses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cal/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal OSHA Vaccine and Testing Mandate
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Apply for CalCompetes Tax Credit
|
|
|
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. An application guide and tutorial videos are also available. The application period closes January 24, 2022.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial Eviction Protection Assistance
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Online Workshops & Webinars
|
|
|
Virtual Lawyers in the Library
Tuesday evenings, Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons
Oakland Public Library
Free
Starting a Cottage Food Business – Part 1
Monday, January 24, 2 – 4 p.m.
NorCal SBDC Restaurant Program
Free
Estás Listo Para Iniciar Tu Negocio?
Monday, January 24, 5 – 7 p.m.
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center
Free
Marketing in a Post-COVID World
Monday, January 24, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center
Free
Owning and Investing in Real Estate for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs
Tuesday, January 25, 10:30 a.m. – Noon
NorCal SBDC
Free
Commercial Lease and ADA Compliance (English and Mandarin)
Tuesday, January 25, 3 – 5 p.m.
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
Free
Financial Bootcamp Part 1
Wednesday, January 26, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
NorCal SBDC
Free
Digital Marketing on a Budget: An Overview for Small Businesses
Wednesday, January 26, 3 – 4 p.m.
AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center
Free
Digital Marketing on a Budget: An Overview for Small Businesses
Wednesday, January 27, 10 – 11 a.m.
AnewAmerica Women’s Business
Free
Preparándote Para Obtener un Crédito!
Thursday, January 27,
6 – 7 p.m.
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center
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 Businesses
Friday, January 28, Noon – 1 p.m.
AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center
Free
Starting a Cottage Food Business – Part 2
Monday, January 31, 2 – 4 p.m.
NorCal SBDC Restaurant Program
Free
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
Cómo Aumentar los Ingresos de tu Empresa Alimentaria Post-Covid-19
Monday, January 31, 6 – 9 p.m.
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center
Free
Access Capital for Early-Stage Businesses
Wednesday, February 2, 10:30 a.m. – Noon
NorCal SBDC
Free
Writing a Compelling Business Plan
Wednesday, February 2, Noon – 4:30 p.m.
SCORE East Bay
$23
Business Accounting
Thursday, February 3, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
SCORE East Bay
$23
Access to Capital for Small Businesses
Thursday, February 3, 10 – 11 a.m.
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center
Free
Financial Management for your Business
Thursday, February 3, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
NorCal SBDC
Free
Know Your Rights: Commercial Eviction (English, Spanish and Mandarin)
Tuesday, February 8, 3 – 4 p.m.
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
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
Legal Issues for the Small Business Startup
Friday, February 11, 9 a.m. – Noon
SCORE East Bay
$23
How to Sell at a Farmers’ Market
Monday, February 28, 2 – 4 p.m.
NorCal SBDC
Free
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
