News
SBA’s Emerging Leaders Initiative to Help Growing Entrepreneurs Opens for 2021 Recruitment
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the launch of the 2021 Emerging Leaders initiative for executives of small businesses poised for growth in underserved markets. Local area recruitment for the 2021 training cycle is currently underway at designated SBA District Offices. Interested small business owners can learn more regarding eligibility, how to apply, class schedules and locations at www.sba.gov/emergingleaders, or by contacting their local SBA District Office. “I am proud of Emerging
Cal/OSHA Revises Guidance on COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards
By Matthew Roberts-January 15, 2021 Last year, California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) approved emergency COVID-19 temporary standards, which became effective and enforceable on November 30, 2020. Under the standards, employers needed to take certain actions to safeguard the workplace from COVID-19, like creating and implementing a written COVID-19 prevention plan, planning to address and combat outbreaks, and following rules regarding employer-provided housing and
Cap-and-Trade Continues to Achieve Early Carbon Emissions Reductions While Generating Revenues for Climate and Air Quality Programs
As expected, auction results from California’s market-based cap-and-trade program have stabilized, allowing the state to propose an expenditure plan consistent with past years’ levels. Governor Newsom anticipates approximately $1.369 Billion through budget year 2021-22. The cap-and-trade expenditure plan proposes three categories of spending: 1) equity programs; 2) low carbon transportation and zero emission vehicle strategy; and 3) natural and working lands. A breakdown of this proposal is included in the
Who Qualifies for the Employee Retention Tax Credit
When the CARES Act was passed in March 2020, it included the ERTC as an option for financial relief for businesses. But companies could only take a PPP loan or the ERTC in the original bill. Congress has now changed this so companies can take advantage of both ERTC and PPP, and they even expanded the ERTC for 2021. In the first and second quarter of 2021, employers that meet the eligibility can receive a tax credit for up to $14,000 per employee. On top of the new ERTC credits that can be obtained in
SBA Re-Opening Paycheck Protection Program to Small Lenders on Friday, January 15 and All Lenders on
Lenders with $1 Billion or Less in Assets Will be Able to Submit First and Second Draw PPP Applications on Friday – Continuing Dedicated Access for Community-Based Lenders WASHINGTON– The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, will re-open the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets for First and Second Draw applications on Friday, January 15, 2021 at 9 a.m. EST. The portal will fully open on
The State of American Business is Resilient
In the annual State of American Business speech today, U.S. Chamber CEO Tom Donohue outlined the path for a widespread economic recovery through a bold agenda of infrastructure investments, workforce reskilling, immigration reforms, and reinvigorating America’s global competitiveness. He also warned that excessive regulations and anti-competitive taxes would undermine the recovery. “In the face of significant challenges, including a global pandemic and an economic crisis, businesses have adapted to
California Allows Everyone 65 and Older to Get COVID-19 Vaccine
By Melody Gutierrez, Colleen Shalby Los Angeles Times California officials on Wednesday announced a major expansion of vaccination eligibility guidelines, allowing all residents 65 and older to more quickly qualify for COVID-19 vaccinations in response to new guidance from the Trump administration aimed at speeding up vaccine rollouts across the country. The move signals a fresh urgency to increase access to the vaccine amid surging caseloads. Officials in Orange County were the first to adopt the new
State Expects to Receive Surplus Revenue, But Sees Deficits on the Horizon
Despite enjoying a record $34 billion budget surplus and prudent reserves from burgeoning but one-time tax revenues, California budget officials expect to see fiscal deficits in the next three years, state Finance Director Keely Martin Bosler told business leaders during a California Chamber of Commerce webinar yesterday. These projections mean that it is critical to maintain funding reserves if the state wishes to preserve existing programs, and it means that the Legislature should not create new
SBA Re-Opening Paycheck Protection Program to Small Lenders on Friday, January 15 and All Lenders on Tuesday, January 19
Lenders with $1 Billion or Less in Assets Will be Able to Submit First and Second Draw PPP Applications on Friday – Continuing Dedicated Access for Community-Based Lenders The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, will re-open the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets for First and Second Draw applications on Friday, January 15, 2021 at 9 a.m. EST. The portal will fully open on Tuesday,
COVID-19 vaccines to be administered at Disneyland, Orange County’s first ‘super’ distribution site
Santa Ana, Calif. (January 11, 2021) – In a vital step to help battle the spread of COVID-19, the County of Orange has established the first large Point-of-Dispensing (POD) site to provide COVID-19 vaccines to residents at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. “The Disneyland Resort, the largest employer in the heart of Orange County, has stepped up to host the county’s first Super POD site – undertaking a monumental task in our vaccination distribution process,” said acting Chairman Andrew Do, First District. “We
California Department of Public Health Seeks to Accelerate Vaccine Distribution
ByPreston Young-January 12, 2021 The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued recommendations for accelerating the pace at which COVID-19 vaccines are distributed to Californians. Currently, the state’s population is divided into four prioritization groups which outlines when and who receives the vaccine. The CDPH’s most recent recommendations to local health departments and providers states that COVID-19 vaccines should be immediately administered to individuals in all tiers of Phase 1a.
Identifying New Export Markets for 2021
Every year, the U.S. Commercial Service helps thousands of U.S. companies export goods and services worth billions of dollars. Achieving your global sales goals is easier when you have current, reliable, actionable market intelligence. Learn the best way to approach your market intelligence search, using resources created by the export experts at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. You’ll find out which markets worldwide show the most demand – right now – for your
Orange County Opens Coronavirus Vaccinations to Anyone 65 and Older
Any Orange County resident age 65 and older is now eligible to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, county health officials said Tuesday, Jan. 12. People age 75 and older – as well as city and county fire department personnel – were recently given preference by the OC Health Care Agency as it starts up the vaccination campaign’s second stage, Phase 1B. But after reviewing some alarming statistics on who is hospitalized and in intensive care because of COVID-19, the county’s vaccine task force late
Airline travelers to U.S. must pass COVID-19 tests under new rule effective Jan. 26
By Bloomberg,Jan. 12, 2021,2:45 PM The U.S. will require proof of a negative COVID-19 test before allowing visitors to fly into the country from other nations in an effort to help airlines regain at least some of their most lucrative international travel — a rule that airlines had lobbied for. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday that it approved the new anti-pandemic measure, which will take effect Jan. 26. It requires travelers to be tested within three days before leaving for
City of Fullerton Launches Survey on Hunt Library
The City of Fullerton is working with Arts Orange County and Heritage Future to revitalize the Hunt Library in order to provide literacy, arts and culture programming that will bring residents and visitors together in a beautiful place for inspiration, creativity, learning and social gathering. This survey is intended to help guide our program planning by collecting input from members of the community such as you. Your responses will help shape the plan. The survey should take a total of 15 minutes to
Several OC Cities Ask to Lower Housing Goals
By Alicia Robinson | arobinson@scng.com | The Orange County RegisterPUBLISHED: January 9, 2021 at 4:59 p.m. | UPDATED: January 11, 2021 at 12:37 p.m. As local governments finalize housing goals for the next eight years, four Orange County cities are trying to not only reduce the state-mandated number of new homes they must plan for, they’re proposing Santa Ana shoulder more of the county’s burden by taking a bigger number. It’s part of the every-eight-years process of the state projecting how many new
SBA and Treasury Announce PPP Re-Opening; Issue New Guidance
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced today that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday, January 11, and Second Draw PPP Loans on Wednesday, January 13. The PPP will open to all participating lenders shortly thereafter.
SBA Re-Opens PPP to Community Financial Institutions First
Community Financial Institutions get dedicated access starting today WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, re-opened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal today at 9 am ET. SBA is continuing its dedicated commitment to underserved small businesses and to addressing potential access to capital barriers by initially granting PPP access exclusively to community financial institutions (CFIs) that typically serve these
California's Return to Work Webinar
On January 25-27, 2021, the California Workforce Association, in partnership with the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, the Employment Development Department, and the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), will host a series of California’s Return to Work webinars to provide vital workplace safety information to businesses throughout California. The two-hour interactive session is designed to give employers and workforce professionals the latest information on
Learn more about the Economic Aid Act & PPP Relaunch
The SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to help businesses recover from declared disasters. The SBA’s Orange County / Inland Empire District office, in collaboration with SCORE, invites you to join us to learn more about the Economic Aid Act and the PPP Relaunch. In this webinar, we will cover the application process, required forms and guidance, and conduct a Q&A session for attendees.Please Join UsJanuary 12: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PSTJanuary 12: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm PSTJanuary 13: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Governor Gives Preview of Business Recovery Plan
$575 Million More for Small Business Grant Program his week, Governor Gavin Newsom released a preview of his budget plan to help California businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor’s Equitable Recovery for California Businesses and Jobs plan contains business and workforce recovery elements, including adding $575 million to the $500 million previously allocated for the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant. CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg welcomed the
Newsom's State Budget Earmarks Billions in COVID-19 Help for Workers and Schools
Los Angeles Times By John Myers, Sacramento Bureau Chief Gov. Gavin Newsom sent a budget to the California Legislature on Friday that calls for a swift and expansive boost in the state government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, earmarking much of an unallocated tax revenue windfall for efforts to help workers and businesses, boost public health and speed up the reopening of public school classrooms. In all, the proposal dedicates more than $14 billion to coronavirus relief efforts in
Paycheck Protection Program Reopens January 11
On January 8, 2021, the U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Department of Treasury, announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11, 2021 for new borrowers and some existing PPP borrowers. The initial wave of loans issued on Monday, January 11, and Wednesday, January 13, will only be available to community financial institutions, but the PPP will open up to all eligible lenders shortly after.SBA has provided information for small business
US Trade Deficit Jumps to $68.1 Billion in November
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. trade deficit jumped to $68.1 billion in November, the highest monthly deficit in 14 years, as a surge in imports overwhelmed a smaller increase in exports. The November gap between what America buys from abroad compared to what it sells abroad rose by 8% from the October deficit of $63.1 billion, the Commerce Department said Thursday. The increase reflected a 2.9% increase in imports of goods and services to $252.3 billion on a seasonally adjusted basis. That jump swamped a
COVID-19 Pandemic PTO Trends
Jessica Mulholland January 7, 2021 As the COVID-19 pandemic continues into 2021, the importance of paid time off (PTO) for employees remains — despite some mixed feelings about actually using that PTO. The pandemic has changed how both employees and employers feel about benefits, according to benefits and absence management firm The Hartford, whose Future of Benefits Study polled U.S. workers and human resources benefit decision-makers in early March 2020 just before the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S.,
CalChamber Asks Cal/OSHA to Delay Enforcing Emergency COVID-19 Rules
ByRobert Moutrie -January 7, 2021 The California Chamber of Commerce is urging the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) to delay enforcement of the emergency COVID-19 rules. The emergency regulations went into effect on November 30, 2020, less than two weeks after the Cal/OSHA Standards Board voted to adopt them. They apply to all employers with employees working outside the home (except health care employers covered by the Aerosol Transmissible Diseases standard) and were
Governor’s Recovery Plan to Add $575 Million to Small Business Grant Program
Yesterday, Governor Gavin Newsom released a preview of his budget plan to help California businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor’s Equitable Recovery for California Businesses and Jobs plan contains business and workforce recovery elements, including adding $575 million to the $500 million previously allocated for the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant. CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg welcomed the Governor’s announcement on help for small businesses.
Newsom proposes $600 payments to Californians in need and extending COVID-19 eviction moratorium
By PATRICK MCGREEVY STAFF WRITER, LOS ANGELES TIMES JAN. 6, 2021, 10:10 AM, SACRAMENTO With a state law protecting California tenants from pandemic-related evictions expiring at the end of this month, Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed Wednesday to extend the protections and expedite distribution of $2.6 billion in federal rental assistance for low-income tenants. Newsom said the budget he was releasing Friday would include the rental assistance money and a $600 state stimulus check to low-income residents.
Governor’s Recovery Plan is Clear: Stop Increasing Taxes!
As discussed in my earlier blog this week, in September, Governor Newsom publicly expressed his opposition to new state tax increases. Yesterday, he unveiled his Equitable Recovery for California Businesses and Jobs, that proposes tax relief to small businesses, further emphasizing his message that increasing taxes is not on the agenda. The Equitable Recovery for California Businesses and Jobs plan contains business and workforce recovery elements, including adding $575 million to the $500 million
GO-Biz Now Accepting Applications for California Competes Tax Credits for 2021
Register for Free Application Webinars The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) is now accepting applications for the California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC). There are $80 million in tax credits available during this application period for businesses that are expanding and adding quality, full-time jobs in California that might not otherwise be created by the business or any other business. The deadline to submit applications is Monday, January 25, at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time)
COVID dangers intensify: California now in ‘deep dark part of the tunnel,’ top health official says
As a new, highly infectious coronavirus variant appears in California, state health officials try to speed up vaccine distribution. California moved into a dangerous new phase of the coronavirus pandemic in the new year’s first week as besieged hospitals ran short of oxygen and the state’s COVID-19 cases rose to more than 2.4 million. Six cases involving the more infectious U.K. coronavirus strain have been reported in Southern California. Los Angeles’ mayor said Sunday that the city’s residents are
Small Business Relief Bill Gains Support of Nearly One-Third of California Legislature
Bipartisan Coalition Co-Authoring Keep California Working Act Grows SACRAMENTO – The Keep California Working Act garnered more momentum in the Legislature with new co-authors announcing their support for the bill within the last week. With the new additions, a total of thirty-seven legislators are now supporting the measure. This milestone signifies an opportunity for the Legislature to work together on small business relief efforts. The Keep California Working Act, otherwise known as Senate Bill 74, is a
2021 New Year, New Laws
JAMES W. WARD Goodbye, 2020, and good riddance! As we enter 2021, the new year brings several new employment-related laws that employers should be prepared for, including:New COVID-19 reporting and safety requirements, including AB 685 and Cal/OSHA’s new COVID-19 emergency regulations;The substantial expansion of the California Family Rights Act to cover all private employers with five or more employees;More changes to California’s worker classification law, AB 5;California’s new pay data
Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans
What Small Businesses Need to Know About the New Pandemic Relief Package -- Changes to PPP and More As part of an end-of-year pandemic relief package, Congress has passed several changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and created a “Second Draw” PPP for small businesses who have exhausted their initial loan. Other changes impact eligibility for initial PPP loans, the loan forgiveness process, and the tax treatment of PPP loans. Congress has also made changes to other programs –
NOCE Launches New Dual-Certificate Personal Care Aide (PCA) Program
New PCA Program Awards both Personal Care Aide and ESL for Workplace Preparation Certificates in Just 18 Weeks to Facilitate Quick Skill and Job Attainment North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE) will launch a new dual-certificate Personal Care Aide (PCA) Program for the 2021 Spring Semester. Students enrolled will be awarded two certificates in just 18 weeks: Personal Care Aide Certificate and English as a Second Language (ESL) for Workplace Preparation, Advanced Certificate. Designed for English
SBDC to Host Webinars on COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program
The State of California has announced its COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program to help small businesses located in California who have been affected by COVID-19.In response, the Small Business Development Center will host informational webinars to provide more information about the grant program, eligibility, what the funds can be used for, how to apply, and necessary documents.Webinars Occur at 11:00 AM Daily:Dec 31 – English/FarsiJan 2 – English/VietnameseJan 3 – English/KoreanJan 4 –
SBA Extends COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Application Deadline through Dec. 31, 2021
The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced that the deadline to apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program for the COVID-19 Pandemic disaster declaration is extended to Dec. 31, 2021. The deadline extension comes as a result of the recent bipartisan COVID-19 relief bill passed by Congress and enacted by President Trump on Dec. 27, 2020. To date, the SBA has approved $197 billion in low-interest loans which provides working capital funds to small businesses, non-profits and
Trump Signs COVID Relief, Averts Federal Sshutdown
Associated Press: By JILL COLVIN, LISA MASCARO and ANDREW TAYLOR President Donald Trump has signed a $900 billion pandemic relief package, ending days of drama over his refusal to accept the bipartisan deal that will deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals and avert a federal government shutdown. The deal also provides $1.4 trillion to fund government agencies through September and contains other end-of-session priorities such as an increase in food stamp benefits. The signing Sunday,
Brief Look at 10 New Assembly Members
In the last issue of Alert, CalChamber gave brief profiles of the eight new members of the California State Senate. Now it is the Assembly’s turn. Here we will look at the 10 new members and answer the same questions: Who are they and how did they get here? To help answer these questions, we will use the California Target Book as our primary resource.New Members in Assembly • Assembly District 13: Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua (D-Stockton) has taken over from fellow Democrat Susan Talamantes Eggman,
Draft Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) Allocation Appeals Hearing
The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) will conduct a public hearing related to the filed appeals on the draft RHNA Allocation Methodology over the course of seven days in January 2021. The RHNA is mandated by State Housing Law to quantify the existing and projected need for housing by income categories for each local jurisdiction during specified planning periods. SCAG is in the process of developing the 6th cycle RHNA allocation plan which will cover the planning period of October 2021
Covered California 2021 Open Enrollment
2021 open enrollment for Covered California is here from November 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021. If you would like to enroll, renew, or change plans, visit the Covered California website or call 1-800-300-1506.
