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Welcome to the June Biz Buzz Newsletter!
As we step into summer, we're excited to bring you the latest updates and opportunities to help your business shine. This month's edition is packed with information on valuable workshops and upcoming grant opportunities, exciting events, and essential updates on new laws.
In this edition of the Biz Buzz Newsletter you'll find:
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Storefront Window Display Workshop: Free webinar on June 26th
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SB 478 Junk Fees Ban: Starting July 1, all businesses are required to disclose surcharges or services fees.
- Small-to-Medium Business Rebates
- Summer Events
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COMING SOON: Facade Improvement Grant
Storefront Window Display Workshop on June 26th
Join the City of Mountain View Economic Development Division for an exclusive Storefront Window Display Workshop, a FREE webinar on visual merchandising designed for local businesses. Learn the art of creating captivating storefront displays from VM Works CEO, Rose Balderian. Discover expert tips to make your windows stand out, attract customers, and boost the overall appeal of our shopping centers. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your business's visibility and charm. Register now!
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Date: Wednesday, June 26th
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Time: 10 AM to 11:15 AM
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Location: Zoom - Register Here
Registration is required. Sign up and learn practical tips and creative strategies to transform your storefront into a visual masterpiece, boosting foot traffic and sales.
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Effective July 1, 2024: SB 478 "Junk Fees Ban"
Beginning July 1, 2024, SB 478 (also referred to as the "Honest Pricing Law," "Hidden Fees Statute," or the "Junk Fees Ban") will require all businesses to disclose all mandatory fees or surcharges in the price of a good or service. It will be illegal to advertise or list a price for a good or service that does not include all additional required fees or charges other than certain government taxes and shipping costs.
Starting July 1, any surcharges or service fees need to be added to the price of the menu items to clearly advertise to customers the full amount that they must pay for the good or service. Please note, the law does not prevent businesses from imposing service fees, but instead requires that those fees are either include in the prices listed for goods or are for optional services.
How to prepare for July 1st:
- Update your printed and online menus to include service fees or surcharges associated with each menu item.
- Update your POS systems.
- Ensure that you are charging sales tax on any Living Wage Fee you are collecting.
Resources:
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Small-to-Medium Business Rebate
With Silicon Valley Clean Energy's Small-to-Medium Business Rebates Program, get up to $20,000 in rebates to update your old gas equipment to new electric equipment. Plus, get up to an additional $10,000 if your business is a non-profit.
In addition to space and water heating rebates, Silicon Valley Clean Energy is offering incentives for induction cooking. Whether it’s a small kitchen in a community center or a full-service restaurant, there is money available. Silicon Valley Clean Energy is now offering an extra $10k for non-profits and public schools (up to $30,000 per project)!
Silicon Valley Clean Energy's latest program updates can be found in their SMB 2024 digital toolkit. For the Spanish toolkit click here.
Learn more at SVCleanEnergy.org.
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Summer Events
Friday Concerts on the Plaza on June 7th
Dance into the summer season with Concerts on the Plaza! Join your family, friends and neighbors and bring your blanket or lawn chair down to the Civic Center Plaza, located at 500 Castro St., for a variety of musical performances. High energy dance band, The Cheeseballs, will kick off the 2024 lineup on Friday, June 7th, 6 - 7:30 p.m. at the Civic Center Plaza.
Food, beer, wine and other beverages will be available for purchase at the Bean Scene Cafe. Concerts will take place every Friday from June through September. For more event details, visit Concerts on the Plaza.
Music on Castro on June 5th and June 12th
Music on Castro continues every Wednesday as singer/songwriters perform live music on the 200 block of Castro Street. Come out to enjoy the free entertainment while shopping and dining downtown. See Rick Sanders Music on June 5th and David Landon on June 12th. Music will be on from 5pm to 6:45pm. Check out the full performance schedule at the Music on Castro webpage.
Taste of Mountain View on June 12th
The Chamber of Commerce's Taste of Mountain View is set for June 12. There is still a chance to buy tickets to enjoy the widely diverse - and delectable - cuisine that Castro Street is famous for, complemented by wines and beer from local wineries & breweries. Visit Taste of Mountain View for more information.
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Technology Showcase on July 24-25
Whether you are an entrepreneur, startup, or established business, the 9th Annual Technology Showcase is a unique opportunity for local Mountain View tech-oriented companies to showcase their ideas and products to a wide audience. Apply to exhibit and showcase your technology. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis until June 14, 2024. The event, located at the Civic Center Plaza at 500 Castro Street, will include:
- Wednesday, July 24th: Opening Panel (5 - 7PM)
- Thursday, July 25th: Exhibits (11:30 AM - 3PM) + Closing Panel (4 - 6PM)
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