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As our county – and state – recovers from the pandemic, we want to ensure it is an inclusive recovery that benefits all California businesses. That's why we're pleased to share about initiatives that are designed to do just that, such as the Source Diverse Source Local public-private collaboration (just below). This month's edition also includes a lineup of grant funding information, training resources and upcoming events.
Patience Ofodu, Interim Executive Director, WDBCCC
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Initiative to Help Small Business Prepare for Contracts With Big Business
Prepare for Your Next Job With One-on-One Help From a Career Coach
Relief for Renters and Landlords
Learn How to Promote Your Business on Facebook
Restaurant Revitalization Fund Sample Application, Program Guide
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Taking Application after Reopening
Paycheck Protection Program Extended Through May 31, 2021
Q&A With Board Member Stephanie Rivera
Nominations Now Open for East Bay Innovation Award
Labor-Market Update
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Are you a small business, entrepreneur or startup that needs to learn the basics of selling to big business? Source Diverse Source Local is dedicated to helping you. The initiative is designed to develop new and existing small businesses through procurement-readiness programs to obtain manufacturing, government, and/or corporate contracts.
Source Diverse Source Local is a public-private collaboration to strengthen inclusive procurement programs and build a resilient California-based supply chain. Learn more about this initiative, which includes United, Lockheed Martin, Prologis, Google and UPS as its corporate supply chain partners.
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PREPARE FOR YOUR NEXT JOB WITH ONE-ON-ONE HELP FROM A CAREER COACH |
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If you are looking for a job and need help figuring out your next move or what opportunities are out there for you, WDBCCC’s individualized services can help. Through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program, you can work one-on-one with a career coach and may benefit from:
- Skills assessments
- Needs-based funding for job training
- On-the-job training opportunities
- Job search assistance
- Networking opportunities
- Skills upgrade
- Skills certification (fees may apply)
Our America’s Job Center of California/EASTBAY Works locations offer workshops on basic computer skills, social networking, job search, résumé development, and interviewing.
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RELIEF FOR RENTERS AND LANDLORDS |
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If you need help paying for rent or utilities due to COVID-19’s impact on your finances, you may be eligible for assistance. Contra Costa County tenants and landlords impacted by COVID-19 can apply for the COVID-19 Rent Relief program. More than $75 million in federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 is available to Contra Costa County residents in need of rental relief.
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LEARN HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS ON FACEBOOK (SHORT VIDEO TRAININGS) |
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Facebook has resources for promoting your small business, and you can get started on the Get Digital CA! website, which features three videos under 10 minutes each that will teach you how to:
- Establish Your Presence on Facebook and Instagram
- Create a Virtual Storefront with Shops
- Attract Customers with WhatsApp Business
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RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION FUND SAMPLE APPLICATION, PROGRAM GUIDE |
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This program will provide restaurants 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.
Check out the:
The RRF team has also activated the hotline for questions at
844-279-8898.
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SHUTTERED VENUE OPERATORS GRANT TAKING APPLICATIONS AFTER REOPENING |
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The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant reopened last week after being suspended temporarily due to technical issues. It is now taking applications for grant funding from live venue operators or promoters, including theatrical producers, live performing arts organization operators, museum operators, movie theater operators and owners and other eligible entities.
Call for Assistance: For SVOG application portal technical assistance, such as a password reset, browser suggestions, or how to use the multi-factor authentication with an app and the QR code, applicants can call 1-800-659-2955 or, for the deaf and hard-of-hearing 1-800-877-8339 and follow the prompts to SVOG assistance.
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PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM EXTENDED
THROUGH MAY 31, 2021
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The Paycheck Protection Program, a funding program that helps small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll, has been extended. The U.S. Small Business Administration may accept applications until May 31, 2021, subject to availability of funding. Borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness.
Learn about program changes announced by President Biden to make access to PPP loans more equitable.
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Q&A WITH BOARD MEMBER STEPHANIE RIVERA |
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Stephanie Rivera joined the WDB in July 2020 and serves on the Executive Committee and the Business & Economic Development Committee.
Q: What is your profession, and how does it intersect with workforce development?
A: I have a background in community health in underserved areas and clinical operations. With my Masters in Public Health and work experience in various organizations, workforce development is the key to success for the future. There are specific health care roles that have historically been hard to fill, including community organizations. In 2006, I chaired the School to Career Partnership Board in West Contra Costa and the keen understanding of health care, business development and communities became very clear.
Q: Why do you choose to serve on the WDBCCC?
A: In my role as the Director of Community Health Improvement for John Muir Health, with the focus on social determinants of health, I felt compelled to be of service to Contra Costa County.
Q: What aspects of your board service are you most passionate about?
A: I am most passionate about providing choices to individuals in their future. It is not just youth, but those who are making a career change out of choice or necessity. Ensuring that the business community can grow and be supported is also a passion.
Q: How do you see the WDB assisting in Contra Costa's economic recovery from the pandemic?
A: I see the WDB being a big part in Contra Costa’s economic recovery from the pandemic in many forms. Advocacy, financial assistance and infrastructure are the three areas that are important for the WDB to support the recovery from the pandemic.
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NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN FOR EAST BAY INNOVATION AWARD |
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Do you know an extraordinary company or organization that contributes to the East Bay’s legacy of innovation? If so, now is your chance to put them in the running for the spotlight. The East Bay Economic Development Alliance is now accepting nominations for the 2021 East Bay Innovation Awards through May 28.
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Other Upcoming Events:
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May 6 & May 20, 2021 – WDB and California Economic Development Department’s laid off/furloughed employee resources webinar for individuals who have lost their job or been furloughed because of the pandemic. Get your questions about insurance workforce services, unemployment insurance (UI) and healthcare coverage answered.
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