Business Roundtable – 5/25/2021 – 10:00 am

MISSION: success in two stages of 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. City budget will be presented to Council on 6/15; budget will be balanced thanks to federal funding ($6.5M); future budgets will need to rebuild revenue sources; Trolley will start on 7/4 and operate only on weekends until Labor Day; long term viability of Trolley will depend on outside sources; funding of MCCVB will be calculated on “Pay as you Go” instead of previous mechanism; Conference Center has a 225 people group scheduled for June, with good indication for future bookings.

2. General Conversation: JEA Associates: Sacramento Report: June 15 is big day for end of tier system; mask questions remain for indoor events, workers; business groups trying to get Cal-OSHA to back off mandate through July 31; hearing on June

3. Hospitality & Tourism. “Now is the Moment” national advertising campaign, to repeat again in the Fall; masks rules are explained in flyers produced by County hospitality committee; Wharf will have visitor kiosk thanks to City and Wharf Association partnering; marketing to long-distance travelers seeking mid-week and off-season boost; international travel marketing will follow in months; Monterey Bay Aquarium had smooth limited opening; will anticipate 3000 visitors per day next week (7-day per week); online reservation only.

4.“Office of the Future.” Inaugural panel series successful; hybrid event with 5 expert panelists on systems, technology, ventilation, furniture and office sharing; next event will focus on staffing, human resources; Hilton Garden Inn provided excellent venue.

5. Retail. Downtown Monterey will see Farmers Market starting today with less vendors; MFD will offer vaccinations; huge uptick from Bay Area expected this weekend; Barnyard has music series; Saturdays Farmers Market going on now; leasing impacts look positive throughout the Peninsula.

6. Health Care. Montage is continuing vaccination clinics; children 12-years old to 17-years old have access to Pfizer vaccines.

7. Community Foundation for Monterey County. Latest news: promote vaccination goals for the County; focusing on sectors needing help the most; reinforcing the national goals with a local twist to make it better.

8. Financial, SBA, Loans & Grants. Updates and links: see below.

9. Non-Profit sector. United Way: Relief programs wrapping up; helping people schedule vaccinations; coordinating home-delivery of meals; emergency rental assistance program had 2600 applications; new landlord portal to be set up soon.


Next teleconference will be held Tuesday, June 8 at 10:00am.

Small Business Financial Relief Resources:

  • California Relief Grant: Program is currently closed, awaiting additional guidance from the State on allocation of an additional $1.5B to assist California small businesses with grants.
  • Restaurant Revitalization Fund: After an overwhelming response to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, the application portal is now closed for new applications. Reopening the portal would require additional congressional allocations.
  • Paycheck Protection Program: SBA is currently offering PPP loans originated only by participating community financial institutions including Certified Development Companies (CDCs), SBA Microlenders, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) until May 31, 2021 or until remaining funds are exhausted. Lendistry.com is the only California lender that we have found is still accepting PPP applications.
  • Shuttered Venue Operators Grant: SBA is still accepting applications for this grant until funds are exhausted.
  • Monterey County Small Business Relief Program – Round 3 CARES Grants: Monterey County Workforce Development Board still accepting grant applications through 11:59 p.m. on May 30, 2021.
The Arts Council for Monterey County (Arts4MC) has awarded seven $2,500 scholarships to graduating high school seniors pursuing a higher learning degree in an arts field. These scholarships are creating an investment in our students right at the beginning of their artistic and academic career, thanks to donations through Monterey County Gives!
MPCC LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
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