Recent News

If you have questions or concerns about impacts to your business please contact the City's Business Liaison Rebecca Unitt at runitt@cityofsantacruz.com.

SHELTER IN PLACE ORDER EXTENDED TO MAY 3:

The County of Santa Cruz has extended the Shelter in Place order to May 3, 2020. The new order can be viewed here and we encourage all businesses to review page 5 of the order for more detailed clarification of what is deemed essential and can remain open during this time.

The County has also prepared an updated FAQ document with many helpful answers about business operations during the Shelter in Place Order.

HOW TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES:

Several organizations have developed listings of restaurants available for take out and delivery and retailers available for online shopping.

• A coalition of local tech volunteers, along with Santa Cruz Works, have joined together to create a new website to support our local businesses: www.rideoutthewave.org
  This website is set up for you to buy gift cards, receive delivery of product and to take virtual yoga classes! If your business is not listed on the website please click the link below to add it to the site. The more people and businesses who participate, the more we can support our local business community and make a positive difference during these times: www.rideouthewave.org
• Edible Monterey Bay Magazine has developed a map and form to collect information about restaurants available for take out/delivery. View the map here.
• The Downtown Association has also pulled together a listing of retailers and restaurants open for businesses.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK AND LOCAL ORDERS:

Santa Cruz City Council approved an Emergency Ordinance to protect residential and commercial tenants at the March 24 Council Meeting: For additional details about the ordinance, please refer to the FAQ document in English & Spanish.

For information about changes to City Operations please visit cityofsantacruz.com/coronavirus

For updates and information relevant to the County's response to the Coronavirus and the Shelter in Place order please visit santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus

To help assist the community in answering questions about the COVID-19 outbreak, the County of Santa Cruz has established a call center to help direct questions to the proper channels. If you have questions, please call (831) 454- 4242 between the hours of 8 a.m.6 p.m., Monday-Friday.

For Statewide information visit the State's COVID-19 Response page.

BUSINESS RESOURCES AND GUIDANCE:

NEED HELP MAKING A PLAN FOR YOUR BUSINESS OR FIGURING OUT FINANCIAL OPTIONS ARE BEST FOR YOUR SITUATION?

Contact the Small Business Development Center (SBDC)! The SBDC has expert business consultants available to provide free, individualized and confidential one-on-one advising to help you develop a strategy to plan and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The SBDC is also available to help you understand the financial resources available and prepare applications for funding. Please visit their COVID-19 resources page for instructions on how to apply for SBA disaster loan funding and information on how to request one-on-one assistance.

CITY OF SANTA CRUZ FEES ADJUSTMENTS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19:

• City of Santa Cruz have made the following changes to some recurring fees to provide relief to businesses during this crisis:
  • Downtown Parking Permits will be automatically extended for the duration of the shelter in place order.
  • Cafe Extension License Fees will be waived for the duration of the shelter in place order.
• Santa Cruz Municipal Water Utility is offering a hardship declaration form to utility customers whose ability to pay their bills have been disrupted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Utility service will not be discontinued for non-payment. Customers are asked to pay what they can.

TAX EXTENSIONS/PAYMENT RELIEF:

• California Franchise Tax Board is offering special tax relief for California taxpayers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more and view the updated payment due dates here.
• CDTFA has the authority to assist individuals and businesses impacted by complying with a state or local public health official's imposition or recommendation of social distancing measures related to COVID-19. This assistance includes granting extensions for filing returns and making payments, relief from interest and penalties, and filing a claim for refund. Learn more and request assistance here.
• PG&E has initiated a moratorium on service disconnections for non-payment for both residential and commercial customers, effective immediately and until further notice.
• Santa Cruz County property tax deadlines cannot change because the deadline is set by State Code, but the Tax Collector's Office can waive penalties, costs, or other charges resulting from tax delinquency due to reasonable cause and circumstances related to this crisis. Learn more and request relief if needed here.

Funding Opportunities:

• Small Business Administration (SBA): Business in Santa Cruz County are eligible to apply now for Economic Injury Disaster Loans and must be sure to select “Economic Injury Application” when they begin the application. Find more information and apply online here: SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
  • Through the CARES Act businesses can also now apply for Economic Injury Disaster Advance Loans: Businesses in Santa Cruz are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. This advance will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Funds will be made available within three days of a successful application. This loan advance will not have to be repaid. Apply for the Loan Advance here.
• Facebook has announced a $100M grant program for small businesses. Applications aren’t open yet, but the company says this will include both ad credits and cash grants that can be spent on operational costs like paying workers and paying rent. It will be available to up to 30,000 businesses in the 30-plus countries where Facebook operates.
• State Treasurer's Office offers the California Capital Access Program (CalCAP) for small business. CalCAP is a loan loss reserve program which may provide up to 100% coverage on losses as a result of certain loan defaults. Find more information at the California State Treasurer’s Office website.
• CA Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBANK): offers loan programs for businesses affected by disasters in California. For more information on how to apply, visit the IBANK website.

EMPLOYER & EMPLOYEE RESOURCES:

• California Employee Development Department (EDD): COVID-19 Resources Page includes information about paid leave, unemployment insurance, disability insurance, extensions on tax payments, and other options.
  • EDD has also prepared a Coronavirus 2019 FAQs page to help answer questions about the benefits available.
• California Department of Labor and Workforce Development: Coronavirus Resources website includes guidance on benefits for workers including: paid family leave, disability insurance, unemployment insurance, paid sick leave, worker's compensation. See the chart available at the bottom of the page here detailing the different programs available and how to use them.

INDUSTRY SPECIFIC RESOURCES:

• Restaurant Specific Resources: Eater magazine has developed "A List of Relief Funds for Restaurants, Bars, and Food Service Workers"
  • ABC has issued regulatory relief designed to support the alcoholic beverage industry in its efforts to assist California in slowing the spread of the virus while assisting the industry in dealing with the economic challenges it is facing as a result: Learn about these changes here.
• Visit Santa Cruz: Covid-19 Information for hospitality & restaurant businesses
• Visit California: Impacts, talking points, and media statements for hospitality industry businesses
• Santa Cruz Works: Information to enable your business to convert your meetings to online
• Open for Business Hub: Listing of technology companies that are helping small businesses by enabling remote work throughout this period
• Freelance Artist Resources: This list is specifically designed to serve freelance artists, and those interested in supporting the independent artist community. View the resources here.