Business Resources

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, Wednesdays at 10:30am: The SBDC is hosting a series of live Q&As at 10:30am on 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: 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.

https://alamedaca-gov.zoom.us/j/83105449641     

Dial by phone: 1-669-900-9128     Meeting ID: 831 0544 9641

• Restaurant Revitalization Fund Webinar, Monday, May 10 at 10am:  The Restaurant Revitalization Fund provides emergency assistance for eligible restaurants, bars, and other qualifying businesses impacted by COVID-19 to keep their doors open. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023. Learn more about this funding tool, offered by the US Small Business Administration.  Please click here to register.  

• How to Make your Business Virtual: 3:00PM, Tuesday, May 18: Do you have questions about how to transition your business virtually? Are you looking to transition your business virtually and improve your online reputation? In this webinar presented by the Alameda County SBDC, learn business strategies to create your ideal virtual business. Please click here to register.

• Coronavirus Economic Updates: 12pm, Wednesday May 19: In this webinar presented by the Alameda Chamber of Commerce, Professor Doris Stevenson will compare the recovery of the US economy with that of Alameda county. The pandemic economy continues to be characterized by a very unequal recovery, but the overall picture for US economic growth is bright in 2022. Please click here to register.

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• Cal OSBA – Small Business Programs:  This webinar provides more information about State of California programs for small businesses, including Covid Relief Grants and loans and financing programs, as well as new initiatives such a Get Digital California and the Source Diverse Source Local program.  The webinar is hosted by the City of Alameda and the Alameda Chamber of Commerce.

• Small Business Resources and Covid-19 Updates: Want to learn more about the latest financial and technical assistance available to assist businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic? This webinar provides an overview of current resources for businesses, with a focus on PPP, EIDL, and other SBA programs. Presenters include representatives from the Alameda County SBDC and the NorCal SBDC, and the webinar is hosted by the City of Alameda and the Alameda Chamber of Commerce.

• Paycheck Protection Program 2, and More: Overview and Technical Assistance:  Interested in learning more about the new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)?  Have questions about the loan process, eligibility, or forgiveness of your previous loan?  This 90 minute webinar with representatives from the Small Business Administration, Alameda County Small Business Development Center, and East Bay SCORE provides all this and more.  This webinar includes a lengthy Q&A session, plus additional information about the Shuttered Venues grants, new EIDL grants, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, and more.  

• Work-Related Stress Webinars:  Things to know about Maintaining Mental Health for Small Business Owners, Sole Proprietors, and Employees. These discussion webinars are geared for small businesses owners and people who work in front-line, public-facing positions.  The webinars will be led Elizabeth Dandenell, LMFT, Founder of the East Bay Center for Anxiety Relief. 
  • What are the signs of stress?
  • Emotional well-being and mental health practices.

• Providing Support for Employees 
• Federal Stimulus Overview: Upcoming Aid for Businesses, Wednesday, January 13 at 11AM: Last month the federal government passed a new, $900 billion stimulus package in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In this one-hour webinar hosted by the City of Alameda and the Alameda Chamber of Commerce, hear from Vartan Djihanian, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, about what was included for small businesses, including new rules for existing programs, and the timing to apply.  

• Federal Stimulus Updates and Other Resources for Business Impacted by COVID-19.  Are you looking for information on loans, grants, and other resources to help your business survive during our current shelter in place order?   Watch this webinar to hear directly from the Small Business Administration, the Alameda Small Business Development Center, and East Bay SCORE about new and on-going opportunities to help your business bridge the gap. 

• California Employment Law Update: What Every Employer Needs to Know as We Head into 2021: 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.  This 1 hour webinar led by employment law attorney and workplace investigator Shivani Sutaria provides more information about these news laws and what you can do to ensure compliance.  
  
• 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. 

Restaurant Revitalization Fund

The Restaurant Revitalization Fund will provide restaurants, bars and other eligible businesses with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.

Applications open May 3, 2021, and the SBA has announced that there will be a 21 day priority period for applications from small businesses owned by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Following the 21-day period, all eligible applicants can submit applications – but applications will be “first come, first served” so it is important that you prepare to apply now.

You can prepare to apply by reviewing the sample application, program guide and cross-program eligibility chart on SBA COVID-19 relief options. You will be able to apply through SBA-recognized Point of Sale Restaurant Partners or directly via SBA in a forthcoming online application portal. Registration with SAM.gov is not required. DUNS or CAGE identifiers are also not required.

Please click here for more information.

California COVID-19 Relief Grant

The State of California has announced four new rounds of funding through the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant program to support small businesses and non-profits that have struggled due to the pandemic.

• Round 6: Wednesday, April 28th at 9:00 AM through Tuesday, May 4th at 5:00 PM; Notifications will begin Friday, May 7th
  • Eligible applicants: current waitlisted small businesses and/or nonprofits not selected in Rounds 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and new applicants that meet eligibility criteria.
  • Eligible grant award: $5,000 to $25,000
  • Details: Applicants not selected to receive a grant in Rounds 1, 2, 3 & 5 do not need to re-apply and will be automatically moved into Round 6. New applicants will need to apply on this website.

Paycheck Protection Program - NOW OPEN

The Small Business Administration's (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provides loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. SBA is currently offering:

• PPP First Draw Loans for first time program participants.
• PPP Second Draw Loans for certain businesses who have previously received a PPP loan.

You can apply for a PPP loan from any SBA-approved lender.  If you don't have an existing relationship, Lender Match can help you find a participating lender.

California Rebuilding Loan Program

The California Rebuilding Fund is a loan program to support California’s small businesses—especially those located in economically disadvantaged and historically under-banked areas of the state.

Businesses who employed 50 or less full-time equivalent employees and had gross revenues of less than $2.5 million or below in 2019 are eligible to apply for loans up to $100,000. 

Please click here for more information, or to apply.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Emergency Loan Advances

Alameda businesses are eligible for disaster assistance loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

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

• Kiva Zero-Interest Loans: Kiva offers zero-interest loans of up to $15,000 to small businesses.  Please click here for more information.

Lawyers in the Library

Have a question about an employment problem? Need help with a landlord/tenant matter? Check out the Lawyers in the Library program at the Alameda Free Library.

This countywide service is staffed by volunteer attorneys and hosted by local libraries. Volunteers provide free brief individual consultations and referrals on a wide variety of issues including landlord tenant disputes, probate matters, employment problems, and other general consumer issues.

The Alameda Free Library will coordinate 15 minute appointments by phone on the second Tuesday of each month between 5:00pm-7:00pm. To register, please fill out the online appointment form on the Lawyers in the Library webpage and library staff will be in touch to schedule your appointment. Print forms are available at the Main Library during Library Takeout hours, Monday 2:00pm-7:00pm and Tuesday-Friday 12:00pm-5:00pm. 

 Please click here for more information and to sign up.

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 free business counseling services, including help to businesses applying, or considering applying, for federal or state economic assistance.  Counseling is available in multiple languages.  Temporarily, because of COVID-19, all counseling sessions are conducted by telephone, video or email, rather than face-to-face.  East Bay SCORE is open Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and can be reached at 510-273-6611 or info@eastbayscore.org.  Please click here eastbay.score.org  for more information or to request counseling through its website.

• 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.

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

Please click here for the Alameda Business Reopening Guide.

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

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 Building services, please send your request to:  permits@alamedaca.gov or leave a message at 510-747-6800
• For Planning services, please send your request to:  planning@alamedaca.gov or leave a message at 510-747-6805
• For inspection services, please call the inspection line between 7:30 a.m.and 8:30 a.m. at 510-747-6830
• To submit an application click on the following link: Submit Application Online

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.