Biweekly Third District Update

With ICU beds rapidly filling up across California, Riverside County is now under a regional stay-at-home order issued by the state that will last for at least three weeks. The order took effect Dec. 6 after our region’s ICU availability fell to less than 15 percent. Southern California has  7.7 percent availability at the moment; Riverside County’s availability is 4.1 percent.

ICU availability will be re-evaluated in three weeks, and the restrictions will be lifted if Southern California’s numbers meet or exceed 15 percent. The restrictions close the following industries:

- Indoor playgrounds (State rules closing outdoor playgrounds have been rescinded)           

- Wineries, bars, breweries and distilleries

- Family entertainment centers

- Cardrooms and satellite wagering

- Limited services

- Live audience sports

- Amusement parks

- Hair salons and barbershops                            

- Personal care services                                      

- Museums, zoos, and aquariums                         

- Movie theaters (except drive-in)                       

The order allows outdoor political meetings and religious services; indoor operation of retail stores with a capacity limit of 20 percent (except for grocery stores, which have an indoor capacity limit of 35 percent); and restaurant takeout and delivery.

To see the full Regional Stay-At-Home order and a map with ICU availability percentages, click here.

Riverside County COVID-19 Update

As of Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, there have been 111,053 cases of COVID-19 in Riverside County. There have been 1,551 deaths and 69,676 recoveries. For more detailed data on the County’s COVID-19 cases, visit www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus. For state updates, visit www.cdph.ca.gov, and for national updates, visit www.cdc.gov.

DATE CHANGED - Virtual Town Hall for Women Business Owners

• Join Vikita Poindexter, National Association of Women Business Owners California (NAWBO-CA) president, and California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara for a virtual town hall on insurance issues for Women Business Owners during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency.
• With many businesses experiencing tremendous economic loss, it is imperative for you to have up to date information on services and resources.
• The event will be held 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16.
• Register in advance for the webinar by clicking here.

New State Financial Assistance Programs

• The State has announced two new financial assistance packages to help small business owners affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• First, the State will provide $500 million in new COVID-19 Relief Grant funding for small businesses. CalOSBA will establish this program. To receive an update when the application opens, sign up here.
• Next, the California Rebuilding Fund is providing millions of dollars in loans to small businesses. For more information and to fill out the pre-application, click here.
• In addition to these programs, there will be an automatic three-month extension for taxpayers filing less than $1 million in sales tax on their return; an extension to existing interest- and penalty-free payment agreements for companies with up to $5 million in taxable sales; and expanded interest-free payment options for larger businesses particularly affected by significant restrictions on operations based on COVID-19 transmissions.

Program Offers Assistance for Vets at Risk of Being Homeless

• If you are a veteran who is homeless or at risk of being homeless, the Inland Empire Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program can help you find employment opportunities to get you back on your feet.
• Services offered include employment opportunities, employment preparation training, technical skills classes and certifications, on-the-job training opportunities, career counseling, career services, networking opportunities and partner services such as housing, transportation, mental health services, substance abuse services and veterans’ benefits assistance.
• The following documentation is required: photo identification, social security card or right-to-work documents and DD214 or proof of service letter.
• For eligibility requirements and enrollment, email HVRP@goodwillsocal.org or call David Torrez at 909-659-4849.

REMINDER: Tax Credit for Small Businesses – Application Window is Limited!

• This year, qualified small business employers can apply for a small business hiring credit against California state income taxes or sales and use taxes.
• The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) has started accepting applications online for tentative small business hiring credit reservations.
• The credit reservations are allocated to qualified small business employers on a first-come, first-served basis.
• This credit only applies to California small businesses that meet the following qualifications:
  • Employed 100 or fewer employees as of Dec. 31, 2019; and
  • Suffered a 50 percent decrease or more in income tax gross receipts when comparing second quarter 2020 to second quarter 2019.
• The reservation system is scheduled to close Jan. 15, 2021 or when the funding is depleted, whichever comes first.
• Request your tentative credit reservation online by visiting this link.