Dear Small Business Owner.
We know this is a tough time for your business but you are not alone. We are pulled together some business resources to assist you overcome the COVID-19 Crisis and get your business ready to Thrive. You can contact us 24 Hours A day with a call or Text Message and we will get back to you within 24 hours to assist you with your business needs.
We are in this together, Long Beach United.
On March 19, 2020, the City’s Health and Human Services Department (Health Department) instituted the ‘Safer at Home’ Order. The Order is effective March 19, 2020 through April 19, 2020, unless otherwise specified. The Order outlines specific business closures.
This Order requires that Essential Businesses prepare, post, and implement a Social Distancing Protocol at each of their facilities at which they are maintaining operations. Social Distancing Protocols are intended to provide workers with the necessary supplies, tools and equipment to protect the worker and the public they are serving. Retail Food and drug stores remain open and their employees have become front-line responders to the local health emergency due to COVID-19. Many of the most vulnerable City residents, including those 65 years and older or with underlying health conditions, have turned to food delivery platforms as a result of the Health Officer’s Safer at Home Order to meet many basic activities, such as obtaining groceries, toiletries and other essential items.
The Health Officer will continue to monitor the rate of COVID-19 disease spread, the severity of the resulting illnesses and deaths caused, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, and the effect of this Order. If needed, this Order may be extended, expanded, or otherwise modified to protect the public’s health. For Order details and specifics, please click on below links:
15, 2020 a Social Distancing Protocol at each of their facilities in the City frequented by the public or employees. The Social Distancing Protocol must be substantially in the form attached to this Order as Appendix A. The Social Distancing Protocol must be posted at or near the entrance of the relevant facility, and shall be easily viewable by the public and employees. A copy of the Social Distancing Protocol must also be provided to each employee performing work at the facility. All Essential Businesses shall implement the Social Distancing Protocol and provide evidence of its implementation to any authority enforcing this Order upon demand. To the extent feasible, Essential Infrastructure shall comply with this Section. The Social Distancing Protocol must explain how the business is achieving the following, as applicable:
who work from home. Essential Businesses must follow guidance for businesses and any industry-specific guidance issued by the CDC and the Health Officer related to COVID-19.
Face Coverings should not be used as a substitute for other evidence-based measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Face Coverings should be used in addition to, but not in place of, other evidence-based measures (e.g. social distancing; frequent hand washing practices; avoiding touching our eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; avoiding being around sick people).
Failure to comply with any of the provisions of this Order constitutes an imminent threat and menace to public health, constitutes a public nuisance, and is punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both. To protect the public’s health, the Health Officer of the City of Long Beach may take additional action(s) for failure to comply with this Order. Violation of this Order is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment, fine or both under California Health and Safety Code Section 120275 et seq and Chapter 1.32 of the Long Beach Municipal Code.
Pursuant to Long Beach City Charter Section 109, Sections 8634 and 41601 of the California Government Code; Sections 101040 and 120175 of the California Health and Safety Code; and Chapters 8.08 and 8.26 of the Long Beach Municipal Code, these Orders and Directives as issued by the Health Officer shall be enforceable by the Chief of Police of the City of Long Beach to ensure compliance with and enforcement of this Order and the Directives set forth herein.
Further, and in addition to the criminal penalties set forth herein, these Orders and Directives as issued by the Health Officer shall be enforceable by the City Manager of the City of Long Beach. For the duration of the declared health emergency, the City Manager is permitted to designate and authorize appropriate employees of the City to issue Administrative Citations and levy civil fines and penalties to those individuals, businesses, and others who are in violation of the Orders and Directives contained herein in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 9.65 of the Long Beach Municipal Code.
Supported by Cal State Long Beach, Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Small Business Coaching, Virtual Workshops, Assistance with Loan and Grant Applications. Coaching Available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Arabic.
We are the 501(c)3 set up set up by the Long Beach workforce board to support populations who fall outside traditional workforce services. We drive innovation in the workforce system.
Skills4Care: the non-profit arm of Long Beach based Cambrian Homecare is the employer of record in our first market. They also work with families taking on caring responsibilities.
Beyond Jobs: This non-profit emerged from British government programs that created new marketplaces for hourly labor. We draw on their technology and expertise.
Pacific Gateway -Workforce Center
4811 Airport Plaza Dr., Ste. 120
Phone: 1-562-570-3702
Please remind businesses that the City of Long Beach City Council passed an Ordinance that temporarily prohibits evictions for commercial and residential tenants.The temporary prohibition of evictions is currently through May 31, 2020.
Tenants must notify landlords of their inability to pay rent and provide supporting documentation that shows financial hardship due to COVID-19.
For details, The City’s press release can be found here.
Price gouging is a concern right now, especially as there are currently limited supplies at some larger grocery stores. California’s anti-price gouging statute, Penal Code Section 396, prohibits raising the price of many consumer goods and services by more than 10% after an emergency has been declared. Your business can also face price gouging.
More information can be found here:
The California Small Business Development Center Network has created a helpful resource guide for businesses. The resource guide covers the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, State Employment Development Department resources, and information on business interruption insurance.
The resource guide can be found at the following website:
U.S. Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
Governor Newsom Signs Executive Order Providing Relief to California Small Businesses. Yesterday, Governor Newsom signed an executive order that will provide tax relief for small businesses. The executive order allows the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to offer a 90-day extension for tax returns and tax payments for all businesses filing a return for less than $1 million in taxes. This means small businesses will have until the end of July 2020 to file their first-quarter returns.’
Over the last few days, the Economic Development Department has shared information about the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan and the Paycheck Protection Program. Unfortunately, unscrupulous actors have already started taking advantage of small business owners that are interested in applying to these programs. CAMEO, California’s statewide micro-enterprise network, has put together a good summary of things to look out for and the SBA’s contact information:
As a reminder, we encourage any businesses that need help completing their SBA applications to setup an appointment with the Long Beach Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
or sign-up online
https://longbeachsbdc.org/
Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) offer the chance for property and business owners to join together to pool funds to be used for agreed upon improvements in their respective business districts. The City of Long Beach supports a BID as a tool for strengthening small businesses, creating and retaining jobs, attracting new businesses, improving quality of life, and revitalizing commercial corridors across the City.
What BIDs Do:
BIDs create vibrant, clean, and safe business districts. They deliver services and improvements above and beyond the baseline services provided by the City. Working with the City and community, BID Associations responsible for managing BIDs are a powerful voice for their business districts.
BID services vary, but generally include the following:
Location:
6082 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90805
Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm