Click here for City of Oxnard COVID-19 Updates
Our thoughts are with all who have been impacted by the recent outbreak of COVID-19. For businesses impacted by the COVID-19, please visit the following websites to learn about resources for the business community:
Register Your Business at www.vcreopens.com
Businesses (including essential ones) are required to register at www.vcreopens.com before you reopen/are permitted to reopen.
If your business was already permitted to be open and in operation, you must register and complete the County of Ventura Business Attestation Form at www.vcreopens.com to confirm you have met certain health and safety requirements.
Read the list of Essential Infrastructure Workers here. Business owners with no internet access can call the COVID-19 Hotline at 844-VC-OPENS, to schedule an appointment and complete their registration over the phone. Questions? Please call the Ventura County COVID-19 Hotline at 844-VC-OPENS or email: covidcompliance@ventura.org.
Tips for Creating Your Worksite Specific COVID-19 Prevention Plan – Section 2 Employee Training
To complete the registration at www.vcreopens.com, one of the steps requires that businesses must create a Worksite Specific COVID-19 Prevention Plan and post it at their business before opening.
Templates to create your Prevention Plan, are located at www.vcreopens.com by industry (completed sample template also available on website). Businesses may create their own written plan, if it is approved by the County.
Section 2 of the Prevention Plan focuses on Employee Training. You can find information to train your employees on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/
CARES Act, Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Bill
The CARES Act established several new funding opportunities for small businesses through the Small Business Administration (SBA):
- Eligible recipients may qualify for a loan up to $10 million determined by 8 weeks of prior average payroll plus an additional 25% of that amount.
- Loan payments will be deferred for six months.
- If you maintain your workforce (or re-hire laid off workers by 6/30), SBA will forgive the portion of the loan proceeds that are used to cover the first 8 weeks of payroll and certain other expenses following loan origination.
- More information here.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Loan Advance
- Economic Injury Disaster Loans provide small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
- The Loan Advance will provide up to $10,000 in economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Funds will be made available within three days of a successful application. This loan advance will not have to be repaid.
- If you have already applied for a Disaster Loan you can go back into your application to request an Advance Loan as well.
- More information here.
- Under this program, the SBA will pay the principal and interest of new 7(a) loans issued prior to September 27, 2020.
- The SBA will also pay the principal and interest of current 7(a) loans for a period of six months.
- More information here.
- Allow small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 with less paperwork. These loans will be repaid in full or in part by proceeds from the EIDL loan; up to $25,000; fast turnaround.
- More information here.
Coronavirus Business Resources & Guidance
Below is a list of agencies that provide business guidance:
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC)
The EDC has developed a Business Resource Guide that is updated daily to reflect guidance and benefits including loan opportunities, extensions for filing payroll taxes, assistance for employees, and more.
Utilize EDC and the Small Business Development Centers’ no-cost business consulting to provide guidance during this time. To better serve you, communications can be scheduled remotely by email at info@edcollaborative.com, or phone the Business Resource Hotline at 805.409.9159.
Visit https://edcollaborative.com/
Employment Development Department
The EDD provides a variety of support services to employers and employees affected by the Coronavirus including information on Disability or Paid Family Leave benefits, Unemployment Insurance benefits, and other Employer Information, including tax filing extensions in California. Visit EDD to learn more.
Whether you are self-employed or a W2 employee, if you have lost hours or wages due to the impact of the Coronavirus, file for unemployment benefits. Apply for unemployment here.
Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz)
Go-Biz has compiled guidance from California Agencies and Departments for use by California employers and employees.
SCORE
SCORE provides one-on-one mentoring and helps with the SBA loan application. Visit the Santa Barbara/Ventura local chapter at https://santabarbara.score.org/
WEV (Women’s Economic Ventures)
WEV provides financial support and assistance to businesses experiencing economic hardship as a result of the Coronavirus. Call WEV’s Response Line 805-456-2342 (Spanish 805-908-0096) to leave a message and receive a call back within one business day. Haz clic aquí para obtener información y para la solicitud en español.
CAMEO
CAMEO (California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity) provides resources and live web events at https://cameonetwork.org/coronavirus-resources-for-business
Sign up for a free coronavirus-related webinar on our Coronavirus Business Webinars webpage.
Business Disruption Loans
Sources for loans and working capital:
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Low (EIDL) Interest Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to California small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Read more here. Up to $2 million assistance is available with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. *Contact the EDC for free consultation before applying.*
For additional information contact the SBA Disaster Assistance customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
Asistencia de Desastre de la SBA en Respuesta al Coronavirus (PDF)
SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years.
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela
Small Business Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program
The State of California Small Business Finance Center has released a Small Business Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program. This program, backed by IBANK, is intended to provide loans to businesses impacted by COVID-19.
Eligible Applicants:
- Small Businesses located in California with 1-750 employees that have been negatively impacted or experienced disruption by COVID-19
- Eligible Nonprofits
Qualifying small business owners may apply directly with a participating lender. Read more here.
State of California Small Business Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program
The State of California Small Business Finance Center has released a Small Business Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program. This program, backed by IBANK, is intended to provide loans to businesses impacted by COVID-19.
Eligible Applicants:
- Small Businesses located in California with 1-750 employees that have been negatively impacted or experienced disruption by COVID-19
- Eligible Nonprofits
Qualifying small business owners may apply directly with a participating lender. Read more here.
Economic Development Collaborative Disaster Loan
In addition to their traditional EDC loan funds, EDC is offering loans from $5,000 to $50,000; 4.25% interest; to give a cash flow boost to businesses impacted by reduced sales, supply chain disruption or other challenges related to the Coronavirus. Call 805-409-9159.
Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) Rapid Response Fund
Grant funding is available for small businesses, individuals and families living in Ventura County. Read more here. Schedule an appointment directly with an EDC SBDC Client Service Specialist at https://edcollaborative.com/covid19/.
Women’s Economic Ventures Quick Response Loan
WEV Quick Response Loans are available for financial support and assistance to businesses experiencing hardship. WEV loans up to $10,000 with no payments for the first three payment cycles; 4.5% fixed interest rate and 36 month repayment term to eligible businesses.
Call the Response Line (English 805-456-2342, Spanish 805-908-0096), or visit https://www.wevonline.org/loans-2/quick-response-loans/
CDC Emergency Loan
The CDC announced two emergency loans: a $50,000 microloan, and a $150,000 SBA 7a Community Advantage Loan. Read about the program and visit CDC online.
Jewish Free Loans (Applicants must be residents of Ventura and LA Counties only)
No interest quick response loans to those who have been impacted by COVID-19. Loans can be applied for business economic injury, childcare costs and much more. Visit www.JFLA.org for information.
Kiva
Kiva is a non-profit that offers 0% interest loans for US entrepreneurs. Visit Kiva at https://www.kiva.org/borrow
Employer Resources
Work Sharing Program
This EDD program allows employers to seek an alternative to layoffs – retaining their trained employees by reducing their hours and wages that can be partially offset with UI benefits. Visit the Work Sharing Program to learn more about its benefits for employers and employees, and how to apply.
Disability and Unemployment Insurance for Self-Employed Individuals
Whether you are self-employed or a W2 employee, if you have lost hours or wages due to the impact of COVID-19, we encourage you to file for unemployment benefits. Apply for unemployment here.
Payroll Tax Extension to File
Employers may request up to a 60-day extension from EDD to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit payroll taxes without penalty or interest. Visit the EDD website here.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), gives businesses with fewer than 500 employees funds to provide employees with paid sick leave and family and medical leave related to COVID-19.
Eligible employers can receive a credit in the full amount of the qualified sick leave and family leave wages paid for between April 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020.
Employers can be reimbursed immediately by reducing their federal employment tax deposits. If there are insufficient federal employment taxes to cover the amount of the credits, employers may request an accelerated payment from the IRS.
Read the Frequently Asked Questions here.