Business Resources

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Please click here for the Alameda Business Reopening Guide.

Please click here for more information on the Commercial Streets Program.

Upcoming

The following webinars are open to the entire Alameda business community.  Thank you to our partners at the Downtown Alameda Business Association, West Alameda Business Association, Greater Alameda Business Association, and Alameda Chamber of Commerce.

• Small Business Development Center Live Q&A, Monday + Wednesday at 10:30am: The SBDC is hosting a series of live Q&As at 10:30am on Mondays and Wednesdays to address questions related to COVID-19, with a focus on SBA loans such as the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan.  Please click here to register in advance, and here to review recordings of previous webinars. 
• Tuesdays @ 2, Tuesdays at 2pm: **There will be no Tuesdays@2 on 11/24 - the next Tuesdays@2 will be on 12/1** The Downtown Alameda Business Association is hosting a weekly "Town Hall" style series for Alameda businesses. This series is designed to be an informative opportunity for you to hear a status update directly from City leadership.

Join Online:
https://alamedaca-gov.zoom.us/j/86706819088?pwd=NEVZSTJjd3E3OHc5K2JzcmRiRWtFUT09

          Password: Tuesday     
          Meeting ID: 867 0681 9088

Dial by phone: 1-669-900-9128     Meeting ID: 867 0681 9088     Password: 7407901 

• Digital Bootcamp: Expand Your Online Presence, Multiple Dates, November 2020: A four-part series by the California Business Development Center to expand your online presence by launching and growing your online e-commerce store. Business owners will develop skills to drive traffic, grow on brand exposure, and reach larger audiences online while developing a strong understanding of the key elements needed to build and expand a robust e-commerce portal for their business. Please click here for more information to sign up.

• COVID-19 Import / Export Regulations Protocols and Pivoting to International Commerce, Tuesday, November 17 at 3:00PM: This workshop will provide information regarding the different Import / Export regulations that impact your International Commerce Business. Please click here for more information and to sign up.

• Post COVID-19 Business Imperatives, Thursday, November 19 at 3:00PM: Prepare your small business to meet all your goals and objectives post COVID-19. Learn what it takes to get through all different types of business cycles and keep your small business alive. Please click here for more information and to sign up.

• Building your Business Beyond Borders, Tuesday, November 24 at 3:00PM: The Covid-19 crisis has brought about changes to every business that is here to stay. It is important to recognize these changes and ensure that your business is prepared for the future. This webinar will provide tips on how to seek the silver linings in the Covid-19 crisis and take on the challenges of adopting new and improved techniques for the long term.  Please click here for more information and to sign up. 

• How to Manage and Forecast Cashflow in a COVID World, Tuesday, December 8 at 1:30PM: This 1-hour Webinar will focus on proven strategies and practical techniques to help small business owners manage and forecast cash flow. At the end of the webinar, participants will have access to a custom template they can use to forecast cash flow for up to 12-months in the future.  Please click here for more information and to sign up.

• California Employment Law Update: What Every Employer Needs to Know as We Head into 2021, Thursday, December 10 at 3:00 PM: California’s Governor recently finished signing into law many new employment-related bills, some that have already gone into effect and others going into effect on January 1, 2021.  The new laws are related to COVID-19, leaves of absences, discrimination and independent contractors.  Please join us for a 1 hour complimentary webinar led by employment law attorney and workplace investigator Shivani Sutaria to learn about these news laws and what you can do to ensure compliance.  Please click here to sign up.

   

Previous

• Guidance for Commercial Tenants During the COVID-19 Pandemic, On October 20, in partnership with the Alameda Chamber of Commerce, the City of Alameda hosted a webinar for businesses interested in learning  more about lease negotiations during the COVID-19 pandemic, including an overview of Alameda’s commercial eviction moratorium, followed by a question and answer session.

• Path Forward: Navigating the Return to Work Webinar: On October 8, in partnership with the Alameda Chamber of Commerce, the City of Alameda hosted a webinar for businesses looking to reopen safely and keep employees and customers healthy and informed. This webinar discusses ways small businesses can prepare for a safe, successful, and sustainable reopening of their companies.

• Best Practices in Retail and Restaurant Re-opening: On May 28, in partnership with the Alameda Chamber of Commerce, the City of Alameda hosted a webinar to help retailers and restauranteurs plan for re-opening. Representatives from the California Retail Association and California Restaurant Association presented information and best practices from across the state, followed by a question and answer session. 

   

   

• Next Steps for SBA Loan Recipients: On May 21, 2020 the City of Alameda hosted a webinar for recipients of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). Representatives from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) gave a presentation on the rules and regulations associated with the PPP and EIDL programs, and answered participant questions.

•  Preparing for the New Normal: On May 6, the City of Alameda hosted a webinar to assist small businesses in preparing for the future in the midst of uncertainty.
  

• Navigating Human Resources During COVID-19.  On April 17, 2020, the City of Alameda hosted a webinar to assist businesses in navigating questions around human resources related to COVID-19. 
• SBA Disaster Loans and Grant Funding: Please click here to watch the March 30 webinar hosted by the West Alameda Business Association, on the topic of SBA Disaster Loans and Grant funding. 

Alameda County CARES Grant Program

Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Emergency Loan Advances

Alameda businesses are eligible for disaster assistance loans of up to $2 million from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Eligible businesses may also qualify for a forgivable, emergency advance of up to $10,000.  This loan advance will not have to be repaid, and funds will be available within three days of a successful application. Businesses may be eligible for the funds even if their loan application is declined or pending.

Please click here for more information about EIDL loans, and here for more information about emergency loan advances. You may also contact the SBA disaster customer service center via phone at 1-800-659-2955 or e-mail at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

California Small Business Loan Guarantee Program

The State of California has allocated $50 million for loan guarantees to small businesses to help eliminate barriers to capital for individuals who do not qualify for federal funds, including low wealth and undocumented immigrant communities. Please click here for more information.

California Capital Access Program for Small Businesses (CalCAP)

The CalCAP  program encourages banks to make loans to small businesses that may otherwise have difficulty obtaining financing. If you own a small business and need a loan for working capital, start-up costs, or expansion, you maybe eligible for this program. Loans are available up to $5 million. Please click here for more information.

Private/Non-profit Grant Opportunities

• Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund: Verizon and LISC are teaming up to provide grants of up to $10,000 to businesses facing immediate financial pressure because of Covid-19—especially entrepreneurs of color, women-owned businesses and other enterprises in historically underserved communities who don’t have access to flexible, affordable capital.  Please click here for more information. 
• Hello Alice COVID-19 Business for All Emergency Grant: Hello Alice is offering $10,000 grants to small business owners impacted by COVID-19. Please click here for more information.
• Kiva Zero-Interest Loans: Kiva offers zero-interest loans of up to $15,000 to small businesses.  Please click here for more information.

City of Alameda Taxes, Fees and Licenses 

Business License and Business Improvement Area fees: Payment of Business License and Business Improvement Area fees is deferred for sixty (60) days - from July 1 to September 1, 2020.

Transient Occupancy Tax: Payment of Transient Occupancy Tax is deferred for sixty (60) days, for the months of March, April, and May 2020, for local hotels and other businesses that require TOT collection.

State of California Taxes

Paycheck Protection Forgiveness

Paycheck Protection Program loans that were forgiven through the federal CARES Act and subsequent amendments will not be treated as income subject to California taxes. Please click here for current available information (more detailed information to be provided when available).

Main Street Hiring Credit 

This tax credit applies to California companies that had 100 or fewer employees at the end of 2019 and then experienced at least a 50% drop in gross receipts during the second quarter of 2020. Those businesses will receive a $1,000 tax credit for each qualified employee hired between July and the end of November, up to $100,000 per business. Please click here for more information.  Information on applications and approval process are expected in fall of 2020, and will be posted here when available.

State Payroll Tax Extension

Employers may request up to a 60-day extension from the EDD to file state payroll reports and/or deposit payroll taxes without penalty or interest. A written request for extension must be received within 60 days from the original delinquent date of the payment or return.  Employers may call the EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center for more information at 1-888-745-3886/TTY: 1-800-547-9565.

Deferred Payment of Sales Tax

Effective April 2, 2020, small businesses with less than $5 million in taxable annual sales can take advantage of a 12-month, interest-free, payment plan for up to $50,000 of sales and use tax liability. Please click here for more information.

California State Tax Extension

The State of California has extended their tax filing and payment deadlines to July 15th, 2020 in many cases. Please click here for more information.

Federal Taxes

Employee Retention Tax Credit

Fully refundable tax credits are available for equal to 50 percent of qualified wages that eligible employers pay their employees. This Employee Retention Credit applies to qualified wages paid after March 12, 2020, and before January 1, 2021.  Please click here for more information.

Federal Tax Extension

The IRS has extended the deadlines to file and pay federal income taxes to July 15, 2020. Please click here for more information.

Please click here for more information about tenant protection and resources in the City of Alameda.

Unemployment Benefits for Business Owners, Independent Contractors, and the Self-Employed

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program provides financial benefits to unemployed Californians who are business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, or otherwise not eligible for regular Unemployment Insurance. Please click here for more information. 

Business Counselling

• EAST Bay Score offers business counselling services, including help to businesses applying, or considering applying, for a loan from the SBA Disaster Assistance Loan program.  Temporarily, because of COVID-19, all counseling sessions by East Bay SCORE will be conducted by telephone, video or email, rather than face-to-face. They are open Monday through Friday, 9:30am to 2:30pm, and can be reached at 510-273-6611 or info@eastbayscore.org. Please click here for more information.
• The Alameda SBDC provides one-on-one counselling for small businesses, and a wealth of information about resources and programs, including this Small Business Survival Guide. Please click here for more information. 

Reduced Work Hours

Employers can apply for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Work Sharing Program if reduced production, services, or other conditions cause them to seek an alternative to layoffs.  The Work Sharing Program helps employers and employees:

• Minimize or eliminate the need for layoffs
• Keep trained employees and quickly prepare when business conditions improve
• Avoid the cost of recruiting, hiring, and training new employees
• Receive Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits
• Keep their current job
• Avoid financial hardships
• Please click here for more information.

Potential Closure or Layoffs

Employers planning a closure or major layoffs as a result of COVID-19 can get help through the Rapid Response program. Rapid Response teams will meet with you to discuss your needs, help avert potential layoffs, and provide immediate on-site services to assist workers facing job losses. For more information, refer to the Rapid Response Services for Businesses Fact Sheet (DE 87144RRB) (PDF) or contact Alameda’s One Stop Career Center 510-748-2208.  Please click here for more information.

Tools for Remote Work

The Open for Business Hub provides a summary of tech business which are providing free tools to assist businesses with remote work.  Please click here for more information.

Protect Your Workers

 Please click here for the latest Cal/OSHA Interim Guidance on Requirements to Protect Workers from COVID-19. 

Plan, Prepare and Respond to COVID-19

 Please click here for the latest CDC guidance on how to plan, prepare, and respond to COVID-19.

During the current shelter-in-place, the City of Alameda's Planning, Building and Transportation services will continue to be available by phone, email, and on-line. In-person inspections will be available.

• For service by email, please send your request to: permits@alamedaca.gov.   
• By phone, please call:
• 510-747-6800 for building permits or information
• 510-747-6805 for planning permits or information, or
• 510-747-6854 if you are having problems or do not know what to do
• If you are ready to submit an application, you may do so, online by clicking on the following link: Submit Application Online 
• Inspection procedures are unchanged. Please call the inspection line between 7:30 and 8:30 at 510-747-6830 to schedule an inspection.
• If you would like to speak with the Department Director Andrew Thomas, call him at 510-747-6881 or email athomas@alamedaca.gov

Please click here for more information.

Alameda Strong Community Grant Program

The City of Alameda, in collaboration with the West Alameda Business Association, Alameda Chamber of Commerce, and Downtown Alameda Business Association, has established the Alameda Strong community grant program to assist small businesses in Alameda with relief from the COVID-19 economic disaster. The goal of the Alameda Strong grant program is to mitigate barriers to capital for the most vulnerable Alameda small businesses and restaurants by providing one-time emergency working capital grants.

This grant program is not currently accepting applications. Please click here for more information.

COVID-19 Business Relief Grant Program

The COVID-19 business relief grant program provided one-time grants of $7,500 to assist small businesses in Alameda with relief from the COVID-19 economic disaster. This grant program is no longer accepting applications. Please click here for more information, including a list of grant recipients.