 The City of Berkeley’s Office of Economic Development (OED) will share the state of the local economy, notably its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, with Berkeley City Council on March 22 via a presentation of the citywide 2021 Economic Dashboard.
Attend the March 22 Berkeley City Council meeting virtually to learn more about Berkeley's economic recovery or see the 2021 Economic Dashboard on OED's website.
Celebrating the herd at Caribou Bio
In celebration of International Women's Day (March 8) last week, the Berkeleyside article, “Innovative cancer treatments taking shape in West Berkeley” spotlighted Co-founder, CEO, and President Dr. Rachel Haurwitz, whose research and development (R&D) company is turning CRISPR genome-editing technologies into cell therapies for cancer patients. The story is part of the #DiscoveredinBerkeley campaign which spotlights local businesses enriching our community and building a better world.
Read Berkeleyside's article about Caribou Biosciences on the DiscoveredinBerkeley website and follow @DiscoveredinBerkeley on Instagram to see more about innovative Berkeley businesses.
Updating City zoning definition for "R&D"
In March 2020, Berkeley City Council asked the Planning Department to develop a new definition for Research & Development (R&D) that reflects evolving business practices and provides flexibility for R&D establishments to occupy spaces that meet their business needs. On March 22, Berkeley City Council will hear the Planning Department's proposal to update the zoning definition of R&D.
For details, see page 637 of the March 22 City Council agenda and share your perspective on the proposed definition with City Council by emailing council@cityofberkeley.info or attending the virtual meeting. For more background on R&D business activities in Berkeley, see OED's June 2, 2021 presentation to the Planning Commission (slides 10-25).
Apply now for Civic Arts Grants for Festivals and Individual Artist Projects taking place between July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023! Festivals can access up to $15,000 in funding to support events in Berkeley ranging from small-scale gatherings to large-scale established festivals. Berkeley-based artists can receive grants of $4,000 to produce new work in a variety of disciplines including visual arts, dance, music, theater, and literary arts.
Learn more on the Civic Arts Grant Program page and submit an application by 11:59 PM on March 31, 2022. Have more questions? Contact: civicarts@cityofberkeley.info
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The Alameda County Green Business Program, part of the California Green Business Network (CAGBN), invites all Berkeley businesses to complete the free Green Business Certification (or Re-certification) by March 31 to receive custom ad designs at no cost that can be used to promote the business throughout Earth Month (April)! CAGBN will also highlight green certified businesses and boost the custom ads through both local and statewide social media (Instagram + Facebook) and paid digital advertising. Certified businesses also get access to an Earth Marketing Toolkit filled with tips on innovative ways to promote your business during Earth Month and beyond.
Learn more about becoming a Green Business and register online to begin the certification process now so you don't miss the chance to earn free custom ad designs as well as other costs savings, marketing, technical assistance, and recognition benefits. Or contact Rilynn Misa and let her know you want to complete your certification by March 31.
California State law, SB 1383, aims to keep food and other compostable materials ("organics") out of landfills to reduce emissions that contribute to climate change. Effective January 1, 2022, businesses must subscribe to compost and recycling collection service, set up color-coded and labeled indoor bins, and ensure proper sorting. Certain food generating businesses must also donate surplus edible food to feed people.
Need help implementing recycling and composting at your business?
Learn more here and apply for free indoor compost bins (up to $500 value). Check out the County’s resources page for how-to training videos and educational flyers. To set up compost or recycling service or to find out more about the City’s collection programs, visit www.CityofBerkeley.info/zerowaste or contact Customer Service at 510-981-7270.
The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size, or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying during one of three application periods each year. Applicants are analyzed based on 12 different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment, and strategic importance to the state or region.
Learn more and apply during the current application period (March 7 -28, 2022).
Tax Credits for Hiring Employees
The State and Federal government are offering several tax credits for hiring. Learn more about the:
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New Employment Credit (for hiring Qualified Full-Time Employees, such as people who were unemployed for longer than 6 months immediately preceding hire, Veterans separated from U.S. Armed Forces in the preceding 12 months, Earned Income Tax Credit recipients, Ex-offenders and recipients of CalWORKS or county general assistance)
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Homeless Hiring Tax Credit (for hiring currently or recently homeless people or those who are receiving services from a homeless services provider)
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Work opportunity tax credit (WOTC) (for hiring American job seekers who have consistently faced barriers to employment, such as veterans, ex-felons, summer youth employees, SNAP recipients, long term unemployment recipients, and more)
The California Rebuilding Fund is a public-private partnership to support California’s small businesses—especially those located in economically disadvantaged and historically under-banked areas of the state. Businesses who employed 50 or less full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) and had gross revenues of less than $5 million or below in 2019 are eligible to apply for loans up to $100,000 with a low, fixed interest rate of 4.25%. Offered by trusted California non-profit lending organizations with interest-only payments due for the first 12 months, they provide a source of capital to help small businesses get back on their feet.
Click here to learn more and fill out a pre-application to match with a participating community lender. Please note: completing a pre-application will NOT affect your credit.
In case you missed it...
With pandemic restrictions easing, tourism is picking up again! January's #DiscoveredinBerkeley article in Berkeleyside highlighted the exceptional experiences, meeting locations, and food & drink that Berkeley hotels offer locals—in addition to superb visitor lodging.
Read Berkeleyside's article about the Aiden by Best Western @Berkeley, Graduate Berkeley and Hotel Shattuck Plaza on the DiscoveredinBerkeley website, as well as Berkeleyside's story about the Residence Inn by Marriott in Downtown Berkeley and their rooftop bar, Study Hall.
In celebration of Black History Month and the hard-working, talented business owners that contribute to quality of life in Berkeley, February’s DiscoveredinBerkeley article in Berkeleyside highlighted how Rasa Caffe brings people together over hand-crafted chai blends, specialty milks, locally sourced coffees, and delicious pastries.
Read Berkeleyside's article about Rasa Caffe in Berkeley’s Lorin District on the DiscoveredinBerkeley website and share the image posted @DiscoveredinBerkeley on Instagram.
Participate in the Berkeley Bucks eGift Card, powered by Yiftee! to increase sales opportunities for your business at no cost. With over 95 participating merchants and more than $21K sold already, it’s easy to set up and redeem the Gift Cards.
To learn more about the program and how to join, contact Jeffrey Church at Visit Berkeley.
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