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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.
As evidence continues to show, vaccinations and boosters remain the best defense against the virus. Alameda County has posted an Employer Vaccination Toolkit for businesses interested in supporting their employees in getting vaccinated.
If you need individualized business assistance, remember you can book a free, 30-minute appointment at 6 different Neighborhood Business Assistance locations.
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Please Take a Short Survey on Language Access
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Every two years, our colleagues in Equal Access ask for feedback on language access from individuals who receive City services – including updates like this email. Please take a minute to respond to a four-question survey at: https://forms.gle/qbFLzC6TKnstCCrV8
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Reminder: Oakland’s Proof of Vaccination Ordinance Still in Effect
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People 12 and older continue to be required to show proof that they have been vaccinated to enter many indoor facilities in Oakland. The emergency ordinance adopted by City Council, FAQs, the protocol template for businesses and other details are at: www.oaklandca.gov/VaxOrdinance. The ordinance remains in effect until City Council declares the local emergency over or takes action to rescind the current law.
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CalSavers Retirement Savings Plan
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By June 30, 2022, employers with five or more California-based employees are required to have a retirement plan in place for workers – either through a private-market option, like a 401(k) or Simple IRA retirement plan, or through the state-run CalSavers program. Your employee count is calculated by averaging the number of employees you report to the Employment Development Department on your filings from the previous calendar year. The State law is meant to help more people save more money for retirement with a convenient payroll deduction and includes non-profit organizations with paid employees as well as for-profit businesses.
Employers can register through the CalSavers website or, if they are offering a qualified private-market alternative like a 401(k), file an exemption on the same site. After registering, the employer is required to add employees within 30 days of completing the registration.
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Flex Streets Initiative Continues into 2023
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On March 15, the Oakland City Council passed a series of Ordinances to make the Flex Street Initiative a permanent option for businesses to use outdoor public rights-of-way. Since launching in June 2020, the streamlined Flex Street permit processes have helped Oakland businesses weather the pandemic by expanding their operations outdoors through 140 sidewalk cafes and parklets, 13 street closures, 14 permitted private spaces and more than 60 mobile food truck permits. The existing permit programs will remain mostly unchanged and free through July 2023. Businesses interested in expanding their operations outdoors should apply at www.oaklandca.gov/flexstreets.
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State Supplemental Paid Sick Leave
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Governor Newsom signed SB 114, which will provide covered employees up to 80 hours of supplemental paid sick leave related to COVID through September 30, 2022. Retroactive to January 1, 2022, the supplemental paid sick leave is available to
employees:
- who have been advised to quarantine,
- those caring for COVID-impacted family members,
- attending a COVID-19 vaccination or
booster appointment for themselves or a family member,
- experiencing symptoms or caring for a family member experiencing symptoms related to a vaccine or booster
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Low-Interest Loans for Restaurants, Markets, Food Truck Vendors
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Through March 2022, Feed The Hunger Fund is offering a special 6% interest rate on loans to restaurants, markets, food truck vendors and other food production entrepreneurs. Loan amounts up to $50,000 to be repaid over a maximum of five years. They also offer free business assistance to entrepreneurs and business owners in food production. To learn more, contact Meche Sansores at meche@feed-hunger.com or (415) 533-7171.
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Loans to Launch New Restaurants
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0% Business Financing Available
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Zero-interest loans for low- to moderate-income entrepreneurs and businesses in low- to moderate-income areas of Oakland are available through Main Street Launch. Loan amounts up to $50,000 with terms up to five years may be used to buy furniture and equipment, to purchase inventory, for working capital, to refinance high-interest business debt and to pay startup expenses. No minimum credit score requirement. Complete the loan inquiry form to get started.
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State Updates Guidance on Indoor Mega Events
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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! (PART2)
Tuesday, April 12, Noon – 1:30 p.m.
AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center
Free
Commercial Lease Negotiation (in multiple languages)
Tuesday, April 12, 3 – 4 p.m.
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
Free
Strategies to Rebuild Your Business
Thursday, April 14, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
California Hispanic SBDC
Free
Planning Your
Business
Thursday, April 14, 10 a.m. – Noon
NorCal SBDC
Free
Buy or Sell Your Business
Tuesday, April 19, 10:30 a.m. – Noon
NorCal SBDC
Free
Is NOT having a Website Costing You Money? Create One Yourself! (PART1)
Tuesday, April 19, 10 – 11 a.m.
AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center, 401 Roland Way Suite #215
Free
Is NOT having a Website Costing You Money? Create One
Yourself! (PART2)
Tuesday, April 19, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center, 401 Roland Way Suite #215
Free
Digital Marketing on a Budget: An Overview for Small Businesses
Tuesday, April 19, 2 – 3 p.m.
AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center, 401 Roland Way Suite #215
Free
Small Business Financial Bootcamp Part 2
Wednesday, April 20, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
NorCal SBDC
Free
Digital Marketing on a Budget: An Overview for Small Businesses
Thursday, April 21, 10 – 11 a.m.
AnewAmerica Women’s
Business Center
Free
Small Business Finance 101
Thursday, April 21, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
NorCal SBDC
Free
Loan Readiness and Securing Capital
Thursday, April 21, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
California Hispanic SBDC
Free
Virtual Legal Clinic
Thursday, April 21, 4 – 8 p.m.
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
Free
Oakland Chamber’s Small Business Council Re-Launch
Friday, April 22, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Oakland Metro Chamber of Commerce
Free
Lessons Learned Starting & Running Restaurant
Saturday, April 23, 9 a.m. – Noon
Score East Bay
$23
Owning and Investing in Real Estate for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs
Tuesday, April 26, 10:30 a.m. – Noon
NorCal SBDC
Free
COVID Impacted Businesses! Still Looking for Money?
Tuesday, April 26, 11 a.m. – Noon
AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center
Free
Fundamentos de un Plan de Negocio y Mercadotecnia
Tuesday, April 26, 6 – 9 p.m.
NorCal SBDC
Free
Small Business Financial Bootcamp Part 3
Wednesday, April 27, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
NorCal SBDC
Free
COVID Impacted Businesses: Expand Your
Target Market and Boost Your Sales
Wednesday, April 27, 3 – 4 p.m.
AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center
Free
Financing Your Business
Thursday, April 28, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
NorCal
SBDC
Free
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