El Camino Real (SR 82)  Project  Update

The State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has begun a pavement and ADA improvements project on El Camino Real (State Route 82). The project will also include enhanced bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the City of Mountain View. The purpose of this project is to 1) preserve and extend the life of existing pavement, 2) improve ride quality, 3) update existing pedestrian facilities to comply with current ADA standards, and 4) improve safety and access for pedestrians at intersections. Work began in Palo Alto last week, and the full project is scheduled to be completed by Fall of 2025.

More information.

Traffic Advisory for work taking place in Palo Alto.

SB 478 - Junk Fees Ban

In October 2023, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 478 - the “junk fee ban” - into law. This law will go into effect July 1st, 2024 and will require all restaurants to disclose any surcharges or services fees to customers clearly and before the final bill arrives. “SB 478 is an advertising law — not a pricing law — so businesses are free to set their own prices and use the money however they choose as long as consumers know from the start what the price will be,” the Attorney General’s spokesperson writes. “Simply put, the price Californians see will be the price they pay.”

How to get ready:

1. Update your printed and online menus
2. Update your POS systems
3. Ensure that you are charging sales tax on any Living Wage Fee

Read the SB 478 Bill Language.

Disaster Preparedness & Resilience for Small Business Owners

Did you know California is the most disaster prone state in the US? Creating a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) can prepare your business to weather any event that could have significant physical and/or economic impacts.

Step 1: Know your risks - Identify and rank the potential risks (everything from geological risks, like earthquakes, to technological risks, like a hacking).

Step 2: Make a plan - Develop a plan that outlines which solutions/tools you will use to mitigate and respond to risks. Check out this Earthquake Readiness Toolkit.

Step 3: Identify the resources you will need to adequately respond to a risk.

California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) has launched a statewide campaign, Outsmart Disaster, to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies. Outsmart Disaster provides California businesses and nonprofits with the training and resources needed to prepare for and recover from all types of business interruptions. Learn more at https://outsmartdisaster.calosba.ca.gov/.

Workshop: Accounting/ Budgets for Business Start-up and Pre-planning

Date: February 21st, 2024

Time: 3PM - 4:30PM

Sign up now for this dynamic training workshop designed to equip small business owners and start-up enthusiasts with essential skills in Financial Data, Financial Modeling, and Forecasting. This overview session aims to provide practical insights and hands-on knowledge to enhance your financial decision-making capabilities. Training brought to you by the Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

Register Here.

Social Media Toolkit

Studies have shown that businesses that actively participate in the social media landscape experience higher sales, more patrons (online and in person), and greater customer loyalty.

This FREE toolkit, created by the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Mountain View, is specifically designed to help small businesses create a strong social media presence from scratch. With simple, step-by-step instructions, we will explore the key platforms where your business should have a presence, demystify the art of crafting engaging content, and provide you with valuable tips and strategies to maximize your impact on social media. Download the Toolkit.