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Participate in the Berkeley Bucks eGift Card Program, powered by Yiftee! to increase sales opportunities for your business and keep dollars in our community. People will purchase the gift cards online and then email, text or print them for use in local shops, restaurants, etc. Any business that accepts Mastercard can join in to redeem the Berkeley Bucks eGift Card, at no cost to the merchant.
This program is led by Visit Berkeley, in partnership with the Berkeley Chamber, Downtown Berkeley Association, City of Berkeley Office of Economic Development, and other business districts citywide.
To learn more about the program and how to join, contact Jeffrey Church at Visit Berkeley for more information.
The City of Berkeley’s #DiscoveredinBerkeley campaign spotlights local businesses enriching our community and building a better world. Today's article in Berkeleyside shares how Berkeley business owners have invested in parklets and outdoor commerce areas not only to survive the pandemic and keep the community safe, but also to give patrons a more authentic, community-oriented dining experience. Standard Fare, Baker & Commons, Saul’s Delicatessen, Imm Thai Street Food, Hoi Polloi Brewing and Easy Creole are a few of the businesses livening our streets.
Read Berkeleyside's article about fresh-air eateries built during the pandemic on the DiscoveredinBerkeley website and follow @DiscoveredinBerkeley on Instagram to see more about innovative Berkeley businesses.
The Sept.1, 2021 City of Berkeley Health Order required certain businesses to verify proof of full vaccination for patrons who are at least 12 years old (with enforcement starting Sept. 10). It will also require employees of certain businesses to be vaccinated by Oct. 15. The order focuses on businesses with indoor environments where airborne droplets or particles containing the virus spread easily. See the full order for details and exceptions.
Find COVID-19 signage, guidance on verifying vaccine status, and a vaccine outreach toolkit on the City's website.
You can also find Q&A’s from the Sept. 8 City Briefing for Businesses here under the section on “resources”.
See the City of Berkeley COVID-19 website for local metrics, vaccine clinics, and health restrictions.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)'s COVID-19 Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance program and Supplemental Targeted Advance provide small grants to eligible impacted small businesses that do not need to be repaid. Applicants may be eligible to receive up to $15,000 in funding.
Both programs require the business address be in a low-income community, as defined in section 45D(e) of the Internal Revenue Code, of which there are many in South, West and Central Berkeley.
Learn more and apply for these forgivable cash advances.
Round 9 of the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant will support small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19 and the related health and safety restrictions. It will accept new applicants and waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds.
Learn more and apply by Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021.
Now you can receive Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event notifications for any address that is important to you or your business even if you aren’t the PG&E account holder. Stay informed about your suppliers, vendors, business facilities or rental units. Notifications are available in multiple languages and you can opt-out any time.
Sign up now even if you aren't a PG&E account holder. Note: PG&E account holders automatically receive PSPS alerts for their address(es).
Congrats to the 6 Berkeley finalists in the running for a 2021 East Bay Innovation Award! Selected by subject matter experts among more than 200 East Bay companies, they were judged on their innovation, product development, services and processes.
Recognized by category, they are:
Awards will be announced at a virtual ceremony on Oct. 14, hosted by Scott McGrew of NBC Bay Area, and featuring entertainment from local artists + raffle prizes.
Register to attend.
In case you missed it...
The Bay Area Council has partnered with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to get your input your workplace reopening plans and plan accordingly. As reopening plans change, it's important for employers to share their needs with transit agencies!
Please complete the September survey before Wed, Sept. 22, to inform transit agencies of your reopening plans.
If you live or work in Berkeley as a musician, actor, dancer or other type of artist OR if you’re an employee of an arts or cultural organization OR if you’re an artist or a cultural worker who’s been displaced from Berkeley over the past 5 years due to the high cost of housing, help the City of Berkeley identify risks specific to Berkeley’s arts and culture industry and develop strategies to preserve and create affordable housing solutions.
Fill out the online survey by Thurs, Sept. 23.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently launched a Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness portal on their website. Small business owners can apply for forgiveness directly through the SBA.
Borrowers can visit their website to file a request online or call live customer service (877-552-2692).
Financial support is available to renters who are having difficulty paying rent and to landlords who have tenants unable to pay rent. Renters must apply for state rental assistance before Sept. 30, when the statewide eviction moratorium expires.
Learn more and submit (or download) an application here.
As East Bay public transit riders return to in-office work and go back to school, AC Transit is extending a special offer of Fare-Free Fridays in September. They're excited to welcome back riders and show off improvements like enhanced cleaning and ventilation, contactless payment options, and masks and hand sanitizer available on board to keep bus operators and riders safe.
Learn more about schedules, services, and AC Transit's commitment to safety.
At the June 15 Berkeley City Council meeting, Council adopted new rules which allow parklets established during the pandemic to be converted to permanent outdoor commerce installations.
Visit the City of Berkeley’s Outdoor Commerce webpage for additional resources on obtaining Outdoor Commerce permits. Also, consider applying for grant funding to support existing outdoor commerce installations (while funding lasts)!
Starting July 1, the sales tax rate in Berkeley increased to 10.25%, as the countywide tax increase was approved by Alameda County voters in the Nov. 2020 election.
Read more in Kron 4.
Red Oak worked with the Alameda County Green Business Program, part of the California Green Business Network (CAGBN), to become the first carbon neutral and green-certified real estate brokerage in the Bay Area. After undertaking this "worthwhile venture that ultimately cost relatively little", the firm encourages other Berkeley (and East Bay) businesses and residents to do as much as they can to “green” their properties and offset their impact on the environment.
See the story about Red Oak's experience in Berkeleyside.
Click here to learn more about the Green Business Certification Program or find local Green Certified businesses.
The Berkeley Startup Cluster launched the Berkeley Ventures, Berkeley Values (BV2) Learning Lab and Pitch Competition event series to help Berkeley startups and innovation companies inform, cultivate, and pitch their ideas for equity and inclusion.
In June, 8 Berkeley startups pitched their ideas for advancing equity through their companies' products and workforce practices.
See the story about the competition -- and learn who won!
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