|
|
🌷 Welcome to April with Biz Buzz! 🌼
Spring is in full bloom, and so is our lineup of resources, updates, and exciting area events for you to explore this month!
In this newsletter:
- NEW: Downtown Digest & Updates to the Economic Development Website
- Discuss Disability Access for Small Businesses
- Outsmart Disaster with the California Office of the Small Business Advocate
- Silicon Valley Clean Energy Updates
- To Go Plastic Free!
- Sign Up to Participate in the Peninsula Area Restaurant Week April 19 - 27th
- Development Permit Site Launched
- Update on the CalTrans El Camino Real Pavement Project
- Resource Spotlight! SBDC Business Bootcamp
Downtown Digest & Updated Website
To help residents, business owners, and visitors stay informed about ongoing, current, and future Downtown initiatives and projects, the City launched the Downtown Digest. This monthly newsletter will provide updates on all things downtown. View the monthly newsletters and subscribe here.
The City has also created a redesigned Downtown website: MountainView.gov/Downtown. This “one-stop-shop" will be regularly updated to ensure everyone has the most current Downtown information. Community members can also send questions or comments to Downtown@mountainview.gov.
We know the Downtown is a priority for the Mountain View community, which is why we want to make it as easy as possible to track projects, ask questions, and provide feedback.
|
Discuss Disability Access for Small Businesses
Join the California Commission on Disability Access (CCDA) and the Civil Rights Office to discuss disability access tips to ensure a business is ready to accommodate all customers. CCDA promotes disability access through dialogue and collaboration with stakeholders, including the disability community, business communities, and all levels of government.
WHO: The Disability Access for Small Business session is designed for small business owners and those in the disability community.
WHEN: April 11, 2024 from 3 PM - 5 PM
WHERE: Join in-person at the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors Chamber, 168 W Alisal, Salinas, CA OR join online via Zoom (identify your method of attendance when you register).
Register Here to participate in the session in-person or online. For more information, please contact:
Phil McPhaul, Operations Manager
California Commission on Disability Access
PHONE: (916) 319-9610
EMAIL: phil.mcphaul@dgs.ca.gov
Closed captioning will be provided. Accommodations, such as American Sign Language, language interpretation, Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) and Braille, are available upon request with a minimum of seven (7) days’ notice prior to the webinar event.
Is your business prepared to Outsmart Disaster?
The California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) launched a statewide campaign, Outsmart Disaster, to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies.
CalOSBA says to “Know Your Contacts.” Document any people, businesses, or other entities that are integral to your business’s success (employees, customers, contacts, suppliers, and vendors).
Review the Know Your Contacts Fact Sheet, and remember:
- Use the OFB-EZ “Know Your Employees” form to record information about all employees, including the business owner, so that each person can be contacted at any time.
- Use the OFB-EZ “Know Your Key Customers, Contacts, Suppliers, and Vendors” form to record information about current and alternate suppliers and vendors, as well as customer and other key contacts.
- Develop a Crisis Communication Plan so you are able to communicate with your employees and key contacts during and after an emergency.
If you would like some support, CalOSBA can help! Simply reach out to your Resiliency Training Coordinator at OutsmartDisaster@gobiz.ca.gov for direct support.
|
 |
|
Silicon Valley Clean Energy Updates
Small-to-Medium Business Rebates Available Now! Gas water heaters and space heating systems are typically the biggest source of building emissions, and they contribute to poor air quality at work and in the community. Right now, you can get a rebate for a new heat pump water heater and new heat pump HVAC system. Get up to $20,000 in rebates. Learn more and reserve your rebates online at svcleanenergy.org.
|
To Go Plastic Free!
Mountain View restaurants are encouraged to take advantage of the City’s To Go Plastic Free partnership with the ReThink Disposable Program while assistance is still available. This free initiative helps your business comply with Mountain View’s Foodware Ordinance and will end in a few months (through June 2024).
The law prohibits disposable plastic containers such as cups, clamshells, bowls, condiment cups and certain accessory items including straws. The goal is to reduce waste by replacing disposable plastics that end up in the landfill with compostable containers to be turned into a valuable renewable resource.
The ReThink Disposable team has already assisted 25 Mountain View businesses this year. They will work with your business to select compostable take-out products and provide you with free, City-funded compliant materials for your most used takeout items (up to a $200 value).
Food businesses can continue to order the compostable products with a local vendor and get a discount on their purchases or visit the Foodware Purchasing Guide on the City’s website for a full list of products and vendor options.
The City and ReThink Disposable look forward to working with your business “To Go Plastic Free!” and move Mountain View closer to reaching our Zero Waste goals.
To get started, contact ReThink Disposable at ReThinkDisposable@CleanWater.org or 415-369-9260.
|
|
|
|
🍽️ Celebrate Peninsula Restaurant Week - April 19 - 27! 🎉
Support our local Mountain View restaurants! The fourth annual Peninsula Restaurant Week is here from April 19 - 27, presented by Embarcadero Media Foundation's Peninsula Foodist and The Six Fifty.
🌟 Why Participate? Join us in representing Mountain View's vibrant culinary scene during this nine-day food-focused event. Showcase your culinary expertise by offering special menu items and gain valuable exposure through our program's Instagram giveaway.
🎁 Gift Card Exchange: Participating restaurants can take part in the Instagram giveaway by providing gift cards. It's a fantastic opportunity to engage with diners and promote your establishment.
🔗 How to Participate: Ready to showcase your restaurant? Fill out the Peninsula Restaurant Week participation form online at PeninsulaRestaurantWeek.com.
⌛Sign up by April 5th to be entered to win a promotional ad on The Foodist!
Let's come together to savor the flavors of Mountain View and support our local eateries. Learn more and sign up today!
Development Permit Subsite Launched
The new Development Permits webpages was officially integrated into the main City website on Monday March 18th! This subsite represents a different way we are delivering permit information to the public. The pages are initially focused on single-family improvement projects and small-business related permits. However, we will continue to add and expand the content over time to include all aspects of development. Check out the new website online at DevelopmentPermits.MountainView.gov.
As part of the launch of these pages, it includes an online submission form for the public to provide comments, questions, complaints or really any written communication on their permit or project experience. The Community Development Department (CDD) will be overseeing the inbox and will be distributing emails to appropriate Departments to respond to as they are received. There is also key management staff contacts in Public Works, Housing, CDD, Community Services, and Fire listed on the website.
El Camino Real Paving and Pedestrian/Bicycle Improvements Update
CalTrans continues to work on the El Camino Real paving project from Palo Alto to Mountain View near Grant Road. The project includes repaving El Camino Real and adding new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) curb ramps, protected bike lanes, high visibility crosswalks, and three new Mountain View pedestrian crossings with hybrid beacons at Bonita Avenue, Crestview Drive, and Pettis Avenue.
CalTrans began in Palo Alto with the curb ramp replacements and other concrete work elements and is working their way into Mountain View with this same work. The concrete phase is expected to continue for the next three to four months, and then will be followed by the paving work starting this summer.
Learn more about the CalTrans El Camino Real Pavement Rehabilitation and ADA Improvements Project here.
|
|
Resource Spotlight: SBDC Business Bootcamp
Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is hosting a Business Bootcamp '24, an introductory course which provides basic knowledge of the business startup process as facilitated by the Silicon Valley SBDC. This 4-week program consisting of 3 hours of dedicated time each week, includes 90 minutes of classroom training and 60 minutes of work with a no-fee consultant provided by Silicon Valley SBDC Network. Learners are expected to complete all 4 classes, complete a business plan, and launch their business.
This program will go over a foundational, comprehensive knowledge base covering: Ideation and Concept Feasibility; The SBDC Network & Center; Business Entities; Business Licensing & Permits; Business Insurance; Elements of a Business Plan; Budgeting; Bookkeeping; Taxes; Human Resources; Networking; and other salient elements of starting a business.
The registrant can expect to be ready to finish a business plan with an SBDC Advisor, receive a certification of completion from the SBDC, and launch their business.
Register Here.
BOOTCAMP DATES and TIMES:
General Session 4/05/2024 3:00 PM- 5:00 PM (PDT)
Session #2 4/12/2024 3:00 PM- 5:00 PM (PDT)
Session #3 4/19/2024 3:00 PM- 5:00 PM (PDT)
Session #4 4/26/2024 3:00 PM- 5:00 PM (PDT)
|
|
|
Contact Us
The City of Mountain View Biz Newsletter supports businesses by providing the latest information and news about business resources, tools, funding sources and tips that can help businesses access opportunities for expanding sales and building capacity.
Read our newsletter in Spanish or Chinese. If you have any questions please email Econ.dev@mountainview.gov
|
|
|
|
|
