Business Roundtable – 3/16/2021 - 10:00am

MISSION: Success in two stages during the Coronavirus threat:
1) Response to the immediate threat
2) Economic recovery when the threat diminishes.

Recap


Response to immediate threat

1.   City of Monterey. Recap of current measures within the City. The County of Monterey is now officially moving to the RED TIER! Please see the link below to find all details about what is open as of tomorrow Wednesday March 17, 2021: https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/

2.   Hospitality & Tourism. Monterey Peninsula Water Management District Ordinance 186 is the “2020 COVID-19 Urgent Exterior Restaurant Seat Facilitation Ordinance” which suspends a standard district rule for water use capacity for restaurants that remove interior seats and increase exterior seats as a response to State guidelines for reopening (May 12, 2020); the water district staff is planning to recommend an extension of this ordinance at its April meeting; testing is still most important for our business community to move to a lower tier.

3.   General Conversation with Dan Baldwin, President/CEO Community Foundation of Monterey County. Update on the efforts of the collaborative initiative in Monterey County. The Collaborative started last Fall when need for coordination, alignment and a centralized place to align everybody’s efforts became apparent; CFMC hired a coordinator (Gina Bartlett) to create the infrastructure for all working groups to prevent scattered activities; in December 2020, the County allocated $4.9M for a Community Health Worker program: 100 “trusted messengers” hired for 6 months, “VIDA” (Virus Integrated Distribution of Aid) whereby health workers serve as navigators, help with vaccinations, quarantine services; a landscape study is conducted to determine where all vaccination and testing sites are available; identifying the gaps thus getting resources to put to work; caution is urged for the next 2-3 months; optimism now cannot lead to complacency.

4.   Retail. Downtown Monterey: Retail activity is steady; first ribbon cutting in 1 year was welcome sign to the community; Sports Center re-opening will help traffic; Del Monte Shopping Center: activities show readiness for indoor dining; Apple Store is open, no appointment needed; theater getting ready to open.

5.   State of California. Sacramento Report. Legislature moving on to general budget matters; schools getting State and Federal funds for re-opening; many counties are moving to RED TIER today.

6.   Financial, SBA, Loans & Grants. PPP (Round 2) still open to everyone but deadline to apply is March 31st; CA Relief Fund is also still open for rounds 3 and 4; Targeted Advance grants (through EIDL) to specific businesses: SBA will initiate the contact if eligible; watch out for scams: only respond to email showing: firstname.lastname@sba.gov

7.   Non-Profit sector. United Way through website: https://www.unitedwaymcca.org/211 check new emergency rental assistance state program; may cover up to 12 months in arrears (rent + utilities); eligibility: $77K or less for household income and COVID impact; property owner must forgive 20%; majority of 2-1-1 calls inquire about vaccination clinics and setting up appointments.

8.   Transportation. MST to provide free bus day to get vaccinated: https://mst.org/news_items/mst-offers-free-day-pass-for-getting-vaccinated/

9.   Construction. Graniterock Tech Talks: https://www.graniterock.com/popular-event/tech-talks-2021 pavement preservation is next topic; women in construction week; housing construction is up, non-housing construction is down; public works is constrained in our region.

10. Utilities. 3CE (formerly MBCP) points at Electrifying the Agricultural Sector: https://www.3cenergy.org/ag-electrification/ ; vendor portal to submission; EV incentive; Chamber GAC will consider support for proposed Local Business Preference for 3CE contracts.
 
Next teleconference will be held Tuesday 3/23/2021 at 10:00am. 


Community Update
As of today, March 16th, Monterey County has moved from Purple to Red risk level.

This means some reduced restrictions for businesses:
  • Retail operations can increase capacity from 25% to 50%
  • Restaurants, places of worship, movie theaters, and more can open indoors at 25% capacity (or 100 people, whichever is fewer)
  • Gyms can open indoors at 10% capacity
  • Personal services can open indoors with modifications
  • Cultural ceremonies can take place with 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer
  • Schools can open for in-person instruction when a county remains in this tier for two weeks.
Ribbon Cutting
At Board & Brush Creative Studio, our goal is to turn you into a “DIY master” by educating you to understand and appreciate the beauty of raw materials—the wood, the knots, the color variations and the simple imperfections that will make your project unique.

Hone your own passion for décor & DIY projects; we hand you the tools & direction, you create the friendships and craft.


498 Alvarado Street
Monterey, CA 93940
Key Business Interests
California Relief Grant Program - Lendistry

Starting today, this grant is open to nonprofit cultural institutions. Later rounds will open to all businesses.
If you’re interested in applying for this grant, you must submit a new application starting March 16. Please click HERE to apply. Please view the resource guide for additional details.

If you have questions you can reach the Lendistry Team at 866-759-5320.
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant

Emergency assistance for eligible venues affected by the COVID pandemic.
The Shuttered Venue Operations Grant is for organizations that receive the majority of their revenues selling tickets to attend live performances of various types.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans

Advance funds of up to $10,000 will be available to applicants located in low-income communities who previously received an EIDL Advance for less than $10,000, or those who applied but received no funds due to lack of available program funding. Applicants do not need to take any action at this time. SBA will reach out to those who qualify. Applicants may qualify if they:

  1. Are located in a low-income community, a mapping tool is available at https://sbaeidl.policymap.com/app. and
  2. Can demonstrate more than 30% reduction in revenue during an 8-week period beginning on March 2, 2020, or later.
Member Features
Please forward this e-blast to your colleagues, customers, clients, friends, family and fellow community members!