Business Roundtable – 6/16/2020 – 10:00am

MISSION: Success in two stages during the Covid-19:
1) Response to the immediate threat
2) Economic recovery when the threat diminishes.

Recap
Response to immediate threat

  1. City of Monterey. Budget on agenda.
  2. Hospitality & Tourism. WeatherTech Laguna Seca Raceway: Rolex Historical Monterey Motorsports Reunion August race cancelled. 400 participants are expected in Driver’s Appreciation August 8-9. Track rentals approved since June 1, 2020. People are abiding by protocols. Races are on schedule during busy September-December period. Results of first opening weekend: Quick rebound in leisure tourism (+75% during weekend). Restaurants and wharf businesses are seeing surge of activity. Wharf promoted free masks and observed high compliance. Idea about drive-in at Fairgrounds for July 4th. A drive-in experiment was successful in Carmel Sunset Center. Interest in similar event at the Monterey County Fairgrounds.
  3. State of California. Sacramento report. Governor is positive about direction and business re-opening in Stage 3. Rate of infection remains stable. Legislature in budget process to identify funding to cities. Potential of tax credit to individual and families ($4,000.00)
  4. Health Care. Jump in positive cases within Monterey County: due to more testing and spread of the virus. CHOMP has no COVID-19 patients. Tested 2500 and found 28 positive results. Can hospitals help small businesses with PPE supplies? No availability on hospital inventory.
  5. Community Foundation. Moving from Relief to Recovery. Small Business Relief Fund: Batch #1 approved and in deployment this week ($225K).
  6. Financial, SBA, Loans & Grants. SBA EIDL is now resuming. Also, low rates are applicable: 3.75% and 2.75% for non-profit.
  7. Retail. Status after first week of opening. Cannery Row stores sales compare to 2019 and hotels show 90-100% occupancy during weekend. Flat during weekdays. Cannery Row/Sardine Factory/Inns of Monterey was awarded first Safe Travel Award Stamp by the World Travel Council.
  8. Non-Profit sector. “Great Plates” program up and running in County. Extended through July. Grant application panel for Coalition of Homeless Service Providers. A new funding stream. SCORE coaches new businesses, produces webinar on cash flow planning during crisis.
  9. Education. MPC update: Transitioning in engaging classified employees to return to campus. Students expected to come back within 2 months. College to expand facilities (nursing, auto tech, first responders.)
  10. Legal. n/a
  11. Human Resources. Greater potential for employees to get coronavirus. Have a procedure and policies in place.
  12. Transportation. MST report. Ridership has increased. Capacity constraints with social distancing. Modification of schedules to fit work shifts.


Economic Recovery

  1. Recovery Plans. 
  2. Training at Conference Center.
  3. Photoshoot.

Next teleconference will be held Tuesday 6/23/2020 at 10:00am
BUSINESS INTERESTS

The SBA announced Monday a reopening of the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Advance program portal to all eligible applicants experiencing economic impacts due to COVID-19


View the latest recap from TPO. For questions or additional information please contact michaelles@tpohr.com.

Precautions Still Essential As Monterey County Reopens

As the shelter-in-place order is modified and more businesses and activities reopen or resume, many people have questions about what is “safe” for them to do and what precautions they should continue to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Dr. Martha Blum, medical director of infection prevention at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, provided this guidance, based on information from Monterey County’s Health Department, the state of California, and the CDC.
Upcoming Webinars
Cash Flow Management During a Crisis: How to Use Federal COVID-19 Programs

Thursday, June 18, 2020 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM PDT
 

Are you looking for federal financial resources for your small business, but don't know where to start? Have you already received aid, but are unsure how to manage it and track it? In this   free webinar, you will learn about the PPP as well as tax credits and deferrals available for you, your employees and your business. Our presenter will review how to use your basic financial statements and provide cash flow management tips. There will be time for a 15 minute Q+A after the presentation.
 
Topics Include:

*Basic Financial Statements 
*Cash Flow Management Tips
*Payroll Protection Program (PPP)
*Employer Payroll Retention Credit
*Paid Sick Leave Credit
*Paid Family Leave Credit
*Net Operating Loss Changes
*Payroll Tax Payment Deferral
*Income Tax Return & Estimated Tax Date Changes
 

SAFE TRAVELS
CANNERY ROW, SARDINE FACTORY, AND INNS OF MONTEREY RECEIVE “SAFE TRAVELS” STAMP FROM WORLD TRAVEL & TOURISM COUNCIL
First-ever Global Safety and Hygiene Stamp Recognizes Rigorous Safe Travel Protocols 
 
Monterey, CA – June 11, 2020:  The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched the world’s first-ever global safety and hygiene stamp initiative, awarding Cannery Row tourism destination, the Sardine Factory restaurant, and Inns of Monterey hotel group the “Safe Travels” stamp. Cannery Row is the first tourism business on the Central Coast to receive this designation recognizing the implementation of rigorous safety protocols. Likewise, the Sardine Factory is the first restaurant and Inns of Monterey the first hotel group in Monterey approved for the Safe Travels program. The Inns of Monterey hotel group includes the historic Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa, Monterey Bay Inn, Spindrift Inn, Victorian Inn and Wave Street Inn.
 
“Over the past few months we’ve worked closely with the WTTC and Monterey County Health Department to enact safe protocols among Cannery Row area business that will keep visitors safe when they visit this incredible area,” said Ted Balestreri, Chairman and CEO of the Cannery Row Company. “We appreciate the WTTC stamp recognizing our hard work and attention to safety.”
 
Eligible businesses such as hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, restaurants, outdoor shopping, and transportation and airports may use the Safe Travels stamp once they implement all health and hygiene protocols outlined by the WTTC. 
 
WTTC Safe Travels protocols include following guidelines for restarting operations, establishing staff preparedness training, demonstrating protocols are in place for enhanced cleanliness and hygiene best practices, implementing requirements outlined by health authorities, and integrating innovation. The Safe Travels protocols also follow guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At this time, only 700 tourism organizations in the world have received the Safe Travels designation.
 
The goal of the program is for travelers to be able to recognize governments and businesses around the world that have adopted the standardized safety and hygiene protocols outlined by the WTTC, helping consumers feel comfortable with where they travel, and bringing back confidence to the travel & tourism industry.
 
The Safe Travels program has been embraced by the world’s major tourism groups including the United Nations World Tourism Organization. Trip.com and Expedia have also supported the Safe Travels initiative.
 
Please forward this e-blast to your colleagues, customers, clients, friends, family and fellow community members!