News & Events
Covid Relief Funds Available for Restaurants
The Renaissance Entrpreneurial Center is providing assistance for food service businesses to apply for the Restaurant Revitaliization Fund (RRF). The fund will provide payments equal to pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also has a recorded webinar on RRF eligibility, how to apply and application assistance available. Non food related business could also find Covid-19 relief assistance options on the SBA site.
Green Business Prebate Opportunity
Need help making energy efficient upgrades? Installing low flow toilets and sinks? Switching to less toxic cleaning chemicals? San Mateo County is committed to reduce economic barriers for business owners in low-income areas to become Green Business certified by piloting a “prebate” program. Instead of requiring business owners to lay out cash for improvements, the Green Business Program will pay directly for equipment, supplies or services. Up to $500 per business is available to help businesses complete or exceed the 12 measures in the Entry Level (Efficiency Tier) recognition category. Prebates can be used to install energy efficient lighting, hire a plumber to fix a leak or replace toilets, purchase safer cleaning supplies, and many other business needs.
To qualify, small business owners must live in one of the following zip-codes:
- Daly City: 94014 and 94015
- East Palo Alto: 94303
- Menlo Park: 94025
- Unincorporated Mid-Coast: 94038
- Pescadero: 94060
- Redwood City/North Fair Oaks: 94061, 94063
- San Mateo: 94401, 94403
- South San Francisco/San Bruno: 94066, 94080
Prebates available on a first come, first save basis until funding runs out. To learn more about the prebate please contact Lawrence Nussbaum.
Energy Efficiency Assistance & Financing
Have an energy efficient upgrade you would like to take on?
The San Mateo County Energy Watch (SMCEW) connects small and medium-sized businesses with programs that provide energy audits, technical assistance, installation support, and financial incentives for projects such as lighting, HVAC, and refrigeration upgrades.
The SMCEW team also support small businesses in their energy efficiency planning with benchmarking services using Energy Star Portfolio Manager, a free service that analyzes your energy use over time and offers recommended actions.
To help pay for energy efficiency upgrades, the Energy Watch Program can connect you with PG&E’s 0% interest On Bill Financing loan (for projects above $5,000). Looking to finance a smaller project. You may qualify for a loan for a 0% interest microloan for $2,500 or less via a partnership between BayREN Business and the Mission Asset Fund (MAF).
Read more about this program here, or contact the SMCEW team for more information.
SMC Model Foodware Ordinance: Half Moon Bay Implementation Date Approaching
Did you know that one of the biggest contributors to plastic pollution is the foodware that holds your to-go meal? To address the problem of plastic pollution and protect public health, San Mateo County has adopted a model “Disposable Foodware Ordinance” that is being adopted by cities within the County. The first Ordinance to go into effect is the City of Half Moon Bay Foodware Ordinance which starts being enforced on July 9th, 2021.
Half Moon Bay's Ordinance specifically will require restaurants and other food facilities to eliminate disposable plastic foodware and replace it with reusable foodware or fiber-based compostable products without harmful chemicals like PFAS. Coffee cups, beverage cups, bowls, take-out containers, utensils, and straws are just some of the common to-go items that are affected. Restaurants will also not be allowed to distribute accessories like utensils, straws, or condiment packets without a specific request from the customer.
Check out the new County of San Mateo's Foodware Aware Campaign Website where you can learn about the Ordinance, access a vendor guide for compliant products with special discounts, and sign up for the Half Moon Bay Foodware Aware Webinar and Expo, which will be held on May 26th, 2021.
* Requirement of reusable foodware is specific to the City of Half Moon Bay’s Ordinance only and is not a requirement in the County of San Mateo’s Ordinance.