COVID-19 Business Resources and Relief Information

MILPITAS BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

• Business representatives needing assistance with technical assistance such as loan eligibility, purpose of funds, repayment plan, SBA supporting information required, etc., please write directly to staff via email at BusinessAssistance@ci.milpitas.ca.gov.

BUSINESS RESOURCE GUIDES

• Small Business Crisis Hotline Guide 
• Coronavirus Emergency Funding Guide

CONSTANT CONTACT MESSAGING

• Messaging to the Milpitas Business Community
  • Jan 21, 2021 – Message #43
  • Jan 15, 2021 – Message #42
  • Dec 28, 2020 – Message #41
  • Dec 22, 2020 – Message #40
  • Dec 15, 2020 – Message #39
  • Dec 08, 2020 – Message #38
  • Dec 05, 2020 – Message #37
  • Dec 04, 2020 – Message #36
  • Dec 01, 2020 – Message #35
  • Nov 25, 2020 – Message #34
  • Nov 24, 2020 – Message #33
  • Nov 16, 2020 – Message #32
  • Nov 12, 2020 – Message #31
  • Nov 03, 2020 – Message #30
  • Oct 14, 2020 – Message #29
  • Oct 08, 2020 – Message #28
  • Oct 08, 2020 – Message #27
  • Sep 18, 2020 – Message #26
  • Sep 11, 2020 – Message #25
  • Aug 23, 2020 – Message #24
  • Aug 14, 2020 – Message #23
  • Aug 05, 2020 – Message #22
  • Jul 29, 2020 – Message #21
  • Jul 15, 2020 – Message #20
  • Jul 10, 2020 – Message #19
  • Jun 23, 2020 – Message #18
  • Jun 19, 2020 – Message #17
  • Jun 11, 2020 – Message #16
  • Jun 05, 2020 – Message #15
  • Jun 04, 2020 – Message #14
  • Jun 02, 2020 – Message #13
  • May 27, 2020 – Message #12
  • May 22, 2020 – Message #11
  • May 18, 2020 – Message #10
  • Apr 26, 2020 – Message #09
  • Apr 23, 2020 – Message #08
  • Apr 21, 2020 – Message #07
  • Apr 18, 2020 – Message #06
  • Apr 15, 2020 – Message #05
  • Apr 13, 2020 – Message #04
  • Apr 04, 2020 – Message #03
  • Mar 21, 2020 – Message #02
  • Mar 11, 2020 – Message #01

Click here to be added to the Constant Contact distribution list.

PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM

• The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. The U.S. Small Business Administration will forgive loans if all employee retention criteria are met, and the funds are used for eligible expenses.

U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION LOANS

• The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance Program offers qualified entities working capital loans to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue. The U.S. Small Business Administration is currently accepting new Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications from all qualified small businesses, including agricultural businesses, and private nonprofit organizations. 

MAIN STREET LENDING PROGRAM

• The Federal Reserve has announced that it is establishing a Main Street Lending Program to support lending to small and medium-sized businesses that were in sound financial condition before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA)

• Not all businesses are the same, and some workers may face different levels of risk within the same business. OSHA maintains detailed guidance in its publication, Guidelines on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19.

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC)

• The CDC has a dedicated page for businesses on COVID-19-related information.

CALIFORNIA SMALL BUSINESS COVID-19 RELIEF GRANT

• Governor Newsom announced the creation of a $500 million grant fund for small businesses impacted by the pandemic. Eligible small businesses and non-profits can apply for grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to cover costs incurred due to COVID-19, including payroll, rent and mortgage payments, and expenses related to reopening business operations. Grants do not need to be repaid, and businesses who have received PPP and EIDL funds may apply. The deadline for the first round of funding is Wednesday, January 13 at 11:59pm. Grants will not be distributed on a first come, first served basis; instead, once meeting the eligibility requirements, the grant will be reviewed on key factors including geographic distribution, industry sectors most impacted, and underserved small business groups. Click here for further details. Businesses can apply through one of several Santa Clara County partners which can be found here.

CALIFORNIA REBUILDING FUND

• The California Rebuilding Fund is an economic recovery 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. The full eligibility requirements can be found by clicking here.

CALIFORNIA IBANK LOANS

• California IBank has low-interest and state-guaranteed business loans and microloans for small business borrowers who have been impacted by regional disasters and who need term loans or lines of credit for working capital.

CA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS: COVID-19

•  The California Department of Public Health has published a comprehensive list of guidance documents for employers, health care professionals, school administrators, and other sectors, as well as guidance on the latest Stay At Home orders.

EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT (EDD)

• California EDD has programs to help both employers and employees deal with the costs of illness, caring for ill family members, shorter hours and closures. Employers can even request an extension on their payroll reports and payroll taxes.  Layoff alternatives for businesses by utilizing partial claims and work share.

EVICTION MORATORIUM INFORMATION FOR LANDLORDS AND TENANTS

• For small business tenants who qualify for protection under the County’s ordinance, the County’s eviction moratorium has been extended through March 31, 2021. Small business tenants have up to 6 months after the moratorium expires or terminates to repay at least 50% of the past-due rent, and up to 12 months after the moratorium expires or terminates to repay in full the past-due rent. Civil fines and penalties, monetary damages and injunctive relief may be imposed on landlords who seek to retaliate or deny small business tenants of their rights and protections under the ordinance.

CALIFORNIA CAPITAL ACCESS PROGRAM FOR SMALL BUSINESS (CALCAP SB)

• CalCAP SB encourages banks and other financial institutions to make loans to small businesses that have difficulty obtaining financing. CalCAP is a loan loss reserve program which may provide up to 100% coverage on losses as a result of certain loan defaults.

GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (GO-BIZ)

• GO-Biz has compiled helpful information for employers, employees, and all Californians as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic. For a complete list of resources, please visit the California COVID-19 Response website.

CALIFORNIA LABOR COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE

• The California Labor Commissioner’s Office has listed basic information with relation to employee leave options, compensation, and salary.

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FAIR EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING (DFEH)

• DFEH is the state agency charged with enforcing California’s civil rights laws. The mission of the DFEH is to protect the people of California from unlawful discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations and from hate violence and human trafficking.

GREAT PLATES DELIVERED PROGRAM

• On April 24, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the launch of a first-in-the-nation “Great Plates Delivered” program, a meal delivery service for California’s older adults. The State of California will pay restaurants to make, deliver meals to senior citizens.

EVICTION MORATORIUM INFORMATION FOR LANDLORDS AND TENANTS

• For small business tenants who qualify for protection under the County’s ordinance, the County’s eviction moratorium has been extended through March 31, 2021. Small business tenants have up to 6 months after the moratorium expires or terminates to repay at least 50% of the past-due rent, and up to 12 months after the moratorium expires or terminates to repay in full the past-due rent. Civil fines and penalties, monetary damages and injunctive relief may be imposed on landlords who seek to retaliate or deny small business tenants of their rights and protections under the ordinance.

MILPITAS TEMPORARY OUTDOOR DINING – No Longer Allowed Due To The Current Regional Stay At Home Order

• Starting June 4, 2020, the City of Milpitas will begin accepting applications from local restaurants to temporarily create or expand outdoor dining areas consistent with the current June 5 shelter-in-place Order. Links to the Guidelines and Application are available on the Planning Department website. No fee will be charged for registration, and same-day confirmation is expected for most applications.

NOVA JOB CENTER

• NOVA is committed to providing critical workforce development services to its customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. NOVA has created a special webpage during this pandemic with information about filing an unemployment insurance claim, job search assistance, resources on food, financial and mental health relief, list of
  companies that are hiring, and volunteer opportunities, among other community programs and services.

SILICON VALLEY SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER 

• The Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center provides expertise at no cost for small businesses related to access to capital, business trainings, marketing and promotions, and various other resources.

SILICON VALLEY CLEAN ENERGY (SVCE)

• SVCE is helping small, medium and large businesses switch from polluting natural gas to clean electricity through advancing and investing in electric vehicle infrastructure and building electrification.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS HUB

• Remote work is being aided by several technology companies that are offering free or expanded services for small businesses.

MILPITAS BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

• If you have any questions or need business assistance during COVID-19, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Economic Development team by sending a message anytime to BusinessAssistance@ci.milpitas.ca.gov.

PAYPAL BUSINESS LOANS

• PayPal offers financing to small businesses via two programs, PayPal Business Loan and PayPal Working Capital. The PayPal Business Loan program offers loans from $5,000 to $500,000 and is best suited for businesses with at least 9 months in business and $42,000+ in annual revenue. A PayPal Business account is required to fund your loan. The PayPal Working Capital offers loans from $1,000 to $300,000 and is best suited for existing PayPal customers that have had a PayPal Business account for at least 90 days and have processed $15,000+ within the last 12 months.

FACEBOOK GRANTS

• Facebook Small Business Grants Program is offering $15 million in cash grants and ad credits to Bay Area small businesses struggling due to COVID-19 with a specific focus on grants for businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans. The application process officially commenced in the Bay Area as of April 20. The application deadline is at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time on May 6.

VERIZON GRANTS

• Verizon Small Business Recovery is offering $10,000 grants to help small businesses fill urgent financial gaps until they can resume normal operations or until other more permanent financing becomes available.

SALESFORCE GRANTS

• Salesforce is offering Salesforce Care Small Business Grants of $10,000 to provide capital to help keep businesses afloat during the COVID-19 crisis. These grants will support small businesses as they work to replenish materials, pay salaries, or adapt their business model to overcome these challenging times.

HELLO ALICE EMERGENCY GRANTS

• To ensure Business for All, Hello Alice with the support of Verizon, Silicon Valley Bank, eBay, and others is offering $10,000 emergency grants, being distributed immediately to small business owners impacted by this pandemic.

KIVA LOANS

• Kiva is a non-profit that expands access to capital for entrepreneurs around the world. Kiva is offering up to $15,000 at 0% interest loans for U.S. entrepreneurs.

SILICON VALLEY COUNCIL OF NONPROFITS

• The Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits has also compiled resources specifically for nonprofit organizations.