How Small Businesses Can Temporarily Adapt

Fire and Small Business Resources

Photo: Dagmar Dolatschko

The most recent updates are added at the top. (Last Updated: 8/26/20)

California Fire Resources:

• State/Federal:
  • Northern California Wildfire Relief Resource Page
  • Federal: Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621- 3362 or 1-800-462-7585 TTY
  • Airbnb Open Homes – NorCal Fires. Access emergency housing in NorCal if you’ve been affected by wildfires & offer emergency housing in NorCal if you have extra space. (August 
• Santa Cruz County: 
  • CZU August Lightning Complex Fires Information and Resources
  • Incendios forestales Complejos de Relámpago de Agosto Información y Recursos
• San Mateo County – SMC Wildfire Response
• Santa Clara County – 2020 Wildfire Information
• Monterey County – 2020 Wildfires Info & Resources

Local, State, and Federal Guidance to Businesses:

• Facebook’s grant program for Black-owned small businesses, application ends August 31st
• Versión en español de SBA.gov/espanol. El sitio en español incluye gran parte del contenido de SBA.gov, así como varias herramientas populares basadas en la web, incluido la herramienta de Plan de Negocios y la herramienta de Estándares de Tamaño. (Añadido 26 de Mayo)
• PPP Loan Forgiveness Application (Added 5/20)
• SBA’s Coronavirus Relief Options
  • Article (with critical links) explaining Payment Protection Plan(PPP) & Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program and Advance(EILD) Application here.
    
    • How to Ensure Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness. (Added 5/14) 
  • Free guidance:
    • Small-business development centers
    • Women’s business centers
    • SCORE
  • SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to California Small Businesses Economically Impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) info. here. Disaster Loan information here: disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/
  • Getting cash for your business under the new CARES act. 
  • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance for self-employed, independent contractors, or people who have limited work history, etc. Applications open April 28th.
  • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (accepting applications April 28th!) – for business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, limited work history, etc
• Check your local Economic Development Departments for information:
  • Santa Cruz
  • San Benito County
  • San Francisco
  • Central Valley CA
  • Los Angeles

Webinars/Videos: 

• CAGBN’s Business Recovery and Resiliency Free Webinar Series: RSVP here. Multiple dates 11am-12/12:30pm: 5/20, 5/27, 6/3, 6/10 & 6/19(NEW!). (Webinar information & recordings can be found here)
  • “Pivoting and Loan Forgiveness” webinar recording (5/20)
  • “Marketing, Social Media & Recovery Messaging” webinar recording (5/27)
  • “Sustainability, Safety, Savings” (6/3)
  • “Beyond Crisis Management” covered tips for negotiating rent, how property managers are adapting, and telework. (6/10)
  • June 19th, 11 am – 12 pm: Healthier Cleaning and Disinfection (6/19 NEW!)
• Video: Como aplicar para el Préstamo de Asistencia de Emergencia por Desastre de la SBA (added 5/7)
• Video: Coping with COVID — Forms Needed to Apply for Disaster Assistance (added 5/7)
• Webinars en Español del Small Business Majority 
• All Webinars and on demand videos from Small Business Majority (English and Spanish)
• Webinars: Resources for Small Businesses and M/WBEs Impacted by COVID-19 (All webinars will take place Tuesdays and Thursdays 11am – 12pm; Please request interpretation services, in 12 languages, upon RSVP at least two days before each session.)
• English & Spanish statewide webinar covering policy updates & other resources from the Small Business Majority related to COVID-19 here.

COVID-19 Resources:

• • EPA’s List of Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2.
  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers: Plan, Prepare and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019
  • California Treasurer’s Office Small Business Resources Page. Contains a huge list of Federal, State, Local and Private resources for Small Business.
• Support for Utilities and Taxes
  • CA Public Utilities Commission: Utility Assistance and Utility Consumer Protections During California COVID-19 Outbreak.
  • IRS to delay the April 15 tax payment deadline by 90 days, read more.
• Resources for Workers
  • The Employment Development Department (EDD)  provides a variety of support services to individuals affected by COVID-19 in California. The waiting period is reduced.
    • English general info.
    • Spanish general info.
  • Unemployment Insurance (UI) Work Sharing Program. Employers can apply for the if reduced production, services, or other conditions cause them to seek an alternative to layoffs.
  • If you’re unable to work because you are caring for a sick or quarantined family member with COVID-19, you can file a Paid Family Leave claim, information here.
  • If a medical professional says you are unable to work due to having or being exposed to the Coronavirus — you can file a Disability Insurance claim here.
  • New FFCRA Paid Sick Leave regulations. 
• COVID-19 Safety/Reopening resources
  • COVID-19 and Reusables webinar recording
  • Reopening safely: Sample practices from essential businesses
    Open interactive popup
  • COVID-19 Reopening Guidance: A Guide for the Restaurant Industry
  • FAQ regarding the safety of reusable products.
  • Made in California – Re-opening with Safety in Mind (podcast)
  • CDC’s Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
  • Businesses and employers resources from CA.org
  • Cal/OSHA Safety and Health Guidance: COVID-19 Infection Prevention in Grocery Stores
  • Guidance for Face Coverings

Other Resources:

• COVID-19 Resources – Santa Cruz County and statewide resources including health, mental health tips, food assistance, shelter assistance, educational assistance for students, business resources, unemployment resources, and more. 
• Open for Business Hub. Option for enabling remote work throughout this period.
• National Restaurant Association. Industry-specific guidance for restaurant owners and operators regarding the coronavirus.
• Coronavirus Tech Handbook. A crowdsourced resource for technologists building things related to the coronavirus outbreak.
• International Council of Shopping Centers, ICSC. Retail industry-specific coronavirus information & resources.
• Facebook is offering $100 million in cash grants and advertising credits to help small businesses.
• IFundWomen is a startup funding platform providing access to capital through crowdfunding and grants, expert business coaching, and a network of women business owners that sparks confidence, accelerates knowledge, and ignites action.
• COVID-19 Resources for Undocumented Communities. (English and Spanish) (Added 3/26.)
• Tips for Working from Home
• CA Order – Stay Home Except for Essential Needs FAQ
• Commute.org’s Telework & FlexSchedule Toolkit. A 1-page summary. Quick tips for telework.

Have a resource to add? Email it to sorgelolson@environmentalin.com

How Small Businesses Can Temporarily Adapt

Author: Josephine Fleming, Executive Director of the California Green Business Network

As the president of a small business in Santa Cruz, and the Executive Director of a nonprofit serving small and medium-sized businesses across California, I have a deep appreciation of the dilemmas and decisions business owners face today. We are making decisions with many uncertainties, knowing they directly impact our employees, customers, and our own bottom line. 

Given our focus on costs and profit, and knowing that in the midst of this crisis we’re unlikely to increase revenue, we may well choose to cut staff. And frankly, for some that may be the only path. For other businesses, it may be time for a deep breath and to rethink options to stay afloat until more information is available. 

I propose that, instead of preemptively cutting staff expenses, business owners consider using this downtime to complete important, cost-saving projects that in busier times often get overshadowed by urgent tasks. 

I encourage business owners to use this time to consider how they can broaden their calculation of the bottom line to include people and planet — the so-called triple bottom line. If you’re a business owner that can keep staff even a few more days, why not: 

• Use this time to educate staff on clean and green practices and demonstrate your commitment to a green future.
• Research and purchase cleaning products that are hygienic without being toxic. 
• Schedule consultations with solar companies to start saving now on energy bills.
• Sign up for the myriad of online tools that help reduce your energy bills.
• Set up online billing and other paper-saving systems to save money and reduce waste.
• Research long-term cost-cutting as well as revenue-generating projects.
• Engage green experts at no cost to help you overcome the heightened public health needs of today without creating public and environmental health hazards tomorrow.

Our team continues to work to assist businesses to become Certified Green Businesses during this time, providing remote assistance through phone and web video. If interested, enroll here. For currently certified businesses, many of our Green Business Programs can offer remote review for your upcoming recertifications.

The latest research and trends in countries that first had cases of COVID-19 suggest that within the next couple of weeks, the scale of its reach will be more clear. That knowledge will help us all plan better. Meanwhile, let’s be creative. Let’s use what resources we have to create and invest in long term benefits for our people, planet and profit.