Business Update Email – July 22, 2022

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July 22, 2022

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This is an update from the City of Oakland’s Economic & Workforce Development Department (EWDD) highlighting available resources for businesses and our partner organizations who support them.

For additional information about worker benefits, grants, loans and support services available, please visit our Business & Worker Resource web page. The site is updated regularly as more information becomes available, so please check it often.

If you need individualized business assistance, remember you can book a free, 30-minute appointment at 6 different Neighborhood Business Assistance locations.

City Grants to Hire Teaching Artists

The City of Oakland announced that applications will be available on Monday, July 25, for the Creative Economies of Belonging: Jobs, Networks, Catalysts grant program. This one-time program will distribute grants to Oakland-based nonprofit organizations to restore teaching-artist jobs cut during the pandemic. The program guidelines and grant application will be posted at https://bit.ly/3P4dBUg on Monday, July 25, when the application portal opens. Applications will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 22, 2022.

To assist applicants, two How-To-Apply webinars are scheduled:

Thursday, August 18, 2022, Noon – 1 p.m.
Tuesday, August 23, 2022, 4 – 5 p.m.

Register for the webinars at https://bit.ly/3P4dBUg.

The program relies on a competitive panel process to determine award recipients. To be eligible for a grant, the application must be an Oakland-based nonprofit organization that employs teaching artists. Among the criteria being reviewed by the panel is a racial equity category that seeks to direct these grants to Oakland nonprofit organizations within communities impacted by racial disparities. No dollar match is required for the grants.

Comments Sought on Flex Streets Draft Parklet Guidelines

OakDOT is seeking public review and comment on the draft Parklet Guidelines until Sunday, July 31, 2022. These guidelines will go into effect for all existing and future parklets starting July 2023. Please review the guidelines and share your feedback here.

OakDOT’s staff is also offering open office hours throughout the month of July:

Tuesday, July 26, 1:30 – 3 p.m.

During these open office hours, stakeholders can connect with OakDOT staff (online or via telephone conference call) about questions or comments regarding the draft parklet guidelines.

Take the Community Pledge

As we collectively work to help small businesses and the local economy recover from the pandemic, the City of Oakland encourages residents and workers in Oakland to recommit to the community, reconnect with each other and rediscover what makes Oakland great by taking the Community Pledge. Recommit to spending your dollars locally to support Oakland’s economy and its beloved small businesses. Oaklanders can reconnect and rediscover Oakland through upcoming community events.

Microbusiness Grants

The California Office of the Small Business Advocate has awarded funding to the Chabot - Las Positas Community College District for the Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program to provide $2,500 grants to microbusinesses in the counties of Alameda, Amador, Contra Costa, and El Dorado.

Eligible, microbusinesses are those that:

have fewer than 5 employees and earn less than $50,000 per year
were in operation in 2019 and are still in operation
were impacted by the COVID-19 public health restrictions
were the primary source of revenue for the business owner
did not receive a California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant.

Applications will be accepted until Friday, August 12. Learn more at: https://sites.google.com/swccd.edu/clpccd/home

Get a Free Website Redesign for Your Small Business

Hack the Hood helps future tech workers develop skills by providing small businesses and nonprofits with a free website redesign. With a website, you can establish your online presence, gain new customers and sell services or products. Businesses are responsible for the domain registration and web hosting fees, typically $130 per year. The small business website redesign is offered during Hack the Hood’s upcoming summer program starting July 2022. Apply today at https://www.tfaforms.com/4979728.

Resources for Re-Opening

Visit the City’s Planning Resources for Business Re-Opening website for the latest information on resources to support re-opening, including:

State’s SMARTER Plan
Make a vaccination appointment (for Alameda County residents)
Information on Vaccine Planning for Alameda County
Employer Vaccination Toolkit
Alameda County Community Testing Sites
State’s Mask Guidance and Face Coverings Q&A
Interim Guidance for Ventilation, Filtration, and Air Quality in Indoor Environments
County Workplace Guidance
City of Oakland’s Flex Street Initiative
State’s Shared Portal for COVID-19 Case Reporting

These are just highlights of available resources. For information about worker benefits, grants, loans and support services available, please visit our Business & Worker Resource web page.