Alameda County Masking Requirement, Loans for Food & Wellness Businesses, Changes to the City's Proof of Vaccination Ordinance, Grants for Music Businesses, Free Website Redesign and more
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.
Alameda County Requires Masking
As of Friday, June 3, Alameda County will Require Masking in Most Indoor Public Settings. This Health Order directs that face coverings must be worn over the mouth and nose – regardless of vaccination status – in all indoor public settings, venues, gatherings, and workplaces, including but not limited to offices, retail stores, restaurants and bars, theaters, family entertainment centers, conference and event centers, and State and local government offices serving the public.
Individuals are not required to wear face coverings in the following circumstances:
While working alone in a closed office or room;
While actively eating and/or drinking;
While swimming or showering in a fitness facility;
While obtaining a medical or cosmetic service involving the head or face for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service.
Alameda County will not require masking in K-12 school settings through the end of the 2021-22 school year, but masking is still strongly recommended. Masks will be required in all other children and youth settings, including childcare, summer school, and youth programs, as practicable.
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.
Feed the Hunger Fund is supporting Oakland food and wellness businesses with loans of up to $100,000. Businesses must have a valid City of Oakland business license to qualify. The loans have a 5.5% interest rate and terms of up to 5 years. Food businesses include restaurants, markets, food trucks, etc., while Wellness businesses can be chiropractic and massage therapy, vitamin stores, etc. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact Meche Sansores at meche@feed-hunger.com or (415) 533-7171.
CalSavers Retirement Savings Plan
By June 30, 2022, employers with five or more California-based employees are required to have a retirement plan in place for workers – either through a private-market option, like a 401(k) or Simple IRA retirement plan, or through the state-run CalSavers program. Your employee count is calculated by averaging the number of employees you report to the Employment Development Department on your filings from the previous calendar year. The State law is meant to help more people save for retirement with a convenient payroll deduction and applies to both for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations with paid employees..
Employers can register through the CalSavers website or, if they are offering a qualified private-market alternative like a 401(k), file an exemption on the same site. After registering, the employer is required to add employees within 30 days of completing the registration.
Zoo Labs will award unrestricted grants to Bay Area BIPOC and BIPOC-led artist teams whose music-based business is contributing to the region’s arts and culture environment in positive ways. Awards will range from $5,000 to $50,000. Selected teams will also receive focused mentorship and community support.
To be considered for funding, applicants must:
be BIPOC-led and based in the Bay Area
have a solid team of two or more people, with at least one artist member
be preparing to launch or have an already established music business
show that they are at a critical juncture – one where receiving funding could make a big difference in accelerating the growth of their business.
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.
Changes to the City’s Proof of Vaccination Ordinance
At its meeting on Tuesday, May 17, the Oakland City Council voted unanimously to adopt changes to the Proof of Vaccination Ordinance. The requirement to show proof of vaccination to enter most indoor public locations was lifted. However, entry to Senior Adult Care Facilities and City of Oakland Senior Centers still requires proof of vaccination. While the requirement to show proof of vaccination to enter indoor events was removed, the revised Ordinance requires patrons attending a large indoor event (2,500 or more attendees) to wear a mask. See additional details on the changes at: www.oaklandca.gov/VaxOrdinance
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.
