The Mill Valley Chamber Board of Directors and staff. Missing: Hunter Moore, Susan Cunningham and Jim Revoir and Kathryn Olson. Photo by Gary Ferber.
THIS WEEK HAS ALREADY FELT LIKE A LIFETIME.
More than anything, as you navigate your business through the ever-changing turmoil of the shelter in place order to limit community spread of Coronavirus, please take care of yourselves. Exercise, meditate, read, do whatever makes you feel better physically, mentally and emotionally – and just make the time to focus on you and your family as much as possible.
Now onto business.
First off, there is an overwhelming amount of information below. Please review it carefully!
As you find your footing after these insane past few days, make time to communicate changes to your customers, using your social media channels to ensure that your communication is timely.
We're on it.
We are working our tails off to identify ways we can bring some relief to your business. We know that it all comes down to your access to cash right now so that you can make payroll and pay your expenses. Below is the latest info we have and, not surprisingly, it's ever-evolving. Let us know if you hear of a source of business relief that we haven't listed below.
First off, we are in constant contact with our partners at the City of Mill Valley on a number of initiatives. The Mill Valley City Council unanimously approving a resolution Monday night proclaiming a local emergency related to the Coronavirus. The move gives the city more regulatory power, provides access to funding for purchasing necessary supplies, liberalizes rules to do so and it facilitates a process to get reimbursed by the state and federal government for costs incurred related to Coronavirus, according to city officials.
The City and Chamber have formed a Business Support Task Force, which includes Chamber Board President and Piazza D'Angelo co-owner Felicia Ferguson; City Councilmember and Chamber liaison John McCauley; City Councilmember-Elect Urban Carmel; Acting City Manager Alan Piombo; City Finance Director Eric Erickson; City Senior Management Analyst Linn Walsh; and Chamber co-directors Paula Reynolds and Jim Welte. The committee's purpose is "provide findings and recommendations regarding immediate mitigation and relief of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on local businesses."
The committee met Wednesday and will be updating the community regularly on its progress. Prior to the meeting, the Chamber submitted a letter suggesting an array of forms of relief for local businesses, including:
Here's what we have so far:
More than anything, as you navigate your business through the ever-changing turmoil of the shelter in place order to limit community spread of Coronavirus, please take care of yourselves. Exercise, meditate, read, do whatever makes you feel better physically, mentally and emotionally – and just make the time to focus on you and your family as much as possible.
Now onto business.
First off, there is an overwhelming amount of information below. Please review it carefully!
As you find your footing after these insane past few days, make time to communicate changes to your customers, using your social media channels to ensure that your communication is timely.
- If you're closed until April 7 (the shelter in place order's window) or beyond, let them know. If you're open and are altering your services (curbside pickup, delivery etc.), hours of operation or anything else about your business at this time, be sure that you're customers know that, in detail. Let us know, too. This Enjoy Mill Valley blog post is constantly being updated and is getting a ton of traffic – your customers and neighbors want to know what you are up to!
- If you want to educate yourself more about Coronavirus or want to answer questions from your customers, here's some guidance from the CDC.
- Food-serving businesses. Governor Newsom called for the closures of bars, nightclubs, brewpubs and wineries to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Restaurants are only allowed to offer delivery/take out. Consider re-deploying staff to delivery and order intake, call your insurance agent to see what necessary changes you may need to make to reflect the changes in your staffing and operations. Orders could also be provided through technology applications like Uber Eats, Grubhub or Doordash. Each of these businesses will have their own policies and fees you will need to review.
- Retailers. Most of you are closed during the shelter in place. This a is a great time to invest in your business by creating, or improving your ecommerce stores, both helping to stem the tide right now and diversifying your sales channels for the long-term. You could also add an online store on a new platform to augment sales during this disruptive time, such as Esty, Amazon Marketplace, Bonanza, Ebay Store, Wish, Shopify. Here is a helpful article for small businesses to evaluate the pros and cons of different online marketplace options.
We're on it.
We are working our tails off to identify ways we can bring some relief to your business. We know that it all comes down to your access to cash right now so that you can make payroll and pay your expenses. Below is the latest info we have and, not surprisingly, it's ever-evolving. Let us know if you hear of a source of business relief that we haven't listed below.
First off, we are in constant contact with our partners at the City of Mill Valley on a number of initiatives. The Mill Valley City Council unanimously approving a resolution Monday night proclaiming a local emergency related to the Coronavirus. The move gives the city more regulatory power, provides access to funding for purchasing necessary supplies, liberalizes rules to do so and it facilitates a process to get reimbursed by the state and federal government for costs incurred related to Coronavirus, according to city officials.
The City and Chamber have formed a Business Support Task Force, which includes Chamber Board President and Piazza D'Angelo co-owner Felicia Ferguson; City Councilmember and Chamber liaison John McCauley; City Councilmember-Elect Urban Carmel; Acting City Manager Alan Piombo; City Finance Director Eric Erickson; City Senior Management Analyst Linn Walsh; and Chamber co-directors Paula Reynolds and Jim Welte. The committee's purpose is "provide findings and recommendations regarding immediate mitigation and relief of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on local businesses."
The committee met Wednesday and will be updating the community regularly on its progress. Prior to the meeting, the Chamber submitted a letter suggesting an array of forms of relief for local businesses, including:
- Obtain property tax payment relief for business owners from the County—delay or spread out payments over six months.
- Deferred City Business License fee payments through end of fiscal year. New business license fees usually begin going out in the mail in June, city officials said.
- Partnering with private foundations and/org government agencies to create an emergency, interest-free small business loan or grant program.
- Explore accelerating the Downtown Sewer Project while business is slow. Indications are that, given the fluidity of just about everything in the construction business, it is highly unlikely that the process, and subsequent work, could be expedited right now. Stay tuned.
- Urge commercial property owners to provide rent relief where possible.
- Collaborate with the regional partners, County Tourism Board and Marin Economic Forum to support our businesses.
Here's what we have so far:
Property Tax Relief. With personal and federal taxes now delayed until June/July, we are lobbying County of Marin officials to allow for delayed property tax payments, with the subsequent hope that commercial property owners would pass along some of that relief to their tenants. With property taxes due April 10, we are hoping to garner a response to this request ASAP. The California Franchise Tax Board has extended filing deadlines for affected taxpayers until June 15 per an executive order from Gov. Newsom. Each county would have to extend the deadline for its property owners.
Evictions. Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order to help prevent evictions during the coronavirus outbreak. The order gives local governments the authority to halt evictions for renters and homeowners, but stops short of creating a statewide moratorium. In Marin, there is a countywide effort on this front to halt evictions "for residential and commercial tenants that are related to loss of income from COVID-19 until May 31." A resolution goes before the Marin County Board of Supervisors on March 24.
What if I can’t pay my income taxes? Individuals can defer paying up to $1 million in federal income taxes for 90 days because of the coronavirus, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a press conference Tuesday. He said the level was set at $1 million because that covers a lot of pass-through businesses, whose business income is taxed at the owner’s individual rate. Corporations would be able to defer up to $10 million in tax payments for 90 days. “The deferrals would occur on an interest-free and penalty-free basis,” Mnuchin said. The IRS has some online resources.
Payroll Tax. The CA Employment Development Division (EDD) is granting a 60-day extension to file state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest for employers experiencing hardship from COVID-19. For the most up-to-date information, visit CA EDD’s COVID-19 resource page.
Grants.
Facebook has announced a program of cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries affected by COVID-19 pandemic. MORE INFO.
Cash?
The White House announced plans to send cash payments directly to Americans to replace lost wages over the next two weeks, as part of a $1 trillion stimulus proposal. The plan includes $500 billion for two waves of direct payments to taxpayers on April 6 and May 16 that would vary by household income and size. Another $300 billion would help small businesses meet payroll, the New York Times reported. Politico reported that the checks could amount to $1,000 each. Senate Democrats' proposal calls for immediate $2,000 payments to all adults and children in the U.S. below a certain income threshold. If enacted, people would get a second check for $1,500 in July and a third for $1,000 in October if the public health emergency continues.
Loans.
PG&E has placed a moratorium on shut offs due to any nonpayment.
Doomsday. What can I do if I have to shut down my business permanently?If you are facing potential layoffs or closures, you can get help through the Rapid Response program. Rapid Response teams will meet with you to discuss your needs, help avoid layoffs where possible, and support your workers through the process. Services can include upgrades to current worker skills, customized training, career counseling, job search assistance, help with filing unemployment insurance claims, and info about education and training opportunities. For more info, contact Sylwia Palczswska at SPalczwska@workforcealliancenorthbay.org or by phone at 707-699-1947 or Stacey Caico at Scaico@workforcealliancenorthbay.org or by phone at 707- 530-2322.
If you've made it this far, by the time you've read all this, a whole universe of possibilities – good, bad and in between – could arise, so stay connected to all of our communication channels. And be good to yourselves and your people.
Email us anytime.
Easy application process for loans between $5,000 and 20,000. If the Bank’s accepted credit score is met, only one application and minimal supplementary documentation is required.
• To meet all your financing needs, larger loans up to $150,000 are available subject to additional documentation and underwriting.
• Line of credit with a 2-year maturity and a $100.00 loan documentation fee to open
Evictions. Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order to help prevent evictions during the coronavirus outbreak. The order gives local governments the authority to halt evictions for renters and homeowners, but stops short of creating a statewide moratorium. In Marin, there is a countywide effort on this front to halt evictions "for residential and commercial tenants that are related to loss of income from COVID-19 until May 31." A resolution goes before the Marin County Board of Supervisors on March 24.
What if I can’t pay my income taxes? Individuals can defer paying up to $1 million in federal income taxes for 90 days because of the coronavirus, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a press conference Tuesday. He said the level was set at $1 million because that covers a lot of pass-through businesses, whose business income is taxed at the owner’s individual rate. Corporations would be able to defer up to $10 million in tax payments for 90 days. “The deferrals would occur on an interest-free and penalty-free basis,” Mnuchin said. The IRS has some online resources.
Payroll Tax. The CA Employment Development Division (EDD) is granting a 60-day extension to file state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest for employers experiencing hardship from COVID-19. For the most up-to-date information, visit CA EDD’s COVID-19 resource page.
Grants.
Facebook has announced a program of cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries affected by COVID-19 pandemic. MORE INFO.
Cash?
The White House announced plans to send cash payments directly to Americans to replace lost wages over the next two weeks, as part of a $1 trillion stimulus proposal. The plan includes $500 billion for two waves of direct payments to taxpayers on April 6 and May 16 that would vary by household income and size. Another $300 billion would help small businesses meet payroll, the New York Times reported. Politico reported that the checks could amount to $1,000 each. Senate Democrats' proposal calls for immediate $2,000 payments to all adults and children in the U.S. below a certain income threshold. If enacted, people would get a second check for $1,500 in July and a third for $1,000 in October if the public health emergency continues.
Loans.
- The State of California's Office of Emergency Services is making Small Business Administration Disaster Loans of up to $2 million available to businesses impacted by COVID-19. You can find more information on those programs here. While the SBA loan process has been described as cumbersome, time consuming and hard to qualify for in years past, the SBA announced this week that it is relaxing its criteria to receive an SBA loan. There are a ton of great FAQs and answers HERE, and the Marin SBDC, run by the fantastic Miriam Hope Karell, is built for moments like these and can help your through the application process. Miriam has a great, timely update for loan seekers: "It is now 2-3 weeks to get approved (again only if they submitted everything correctly) and then once someone signs the paperwork, it usually takes 5 days to receive funds. It is one year for deferment for first payment. If someone applies and gets a loan and then realizes they need more funding, then can submit for an increase of funds." These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.
- Bank of Marin: Easy application process for loans between $5,000 and 20,000. If the Bank’s accepted credit score is met, only one application and minimal supplementary documentation is required. To meet all your financing needs, larger loans up to $150,000 are available subject to additional documentation and underwriting. Line of credit with a 2-year maturity and a $100.00 loan documentation fee to open. Business Term Loan features fully amortized installments over five-year term. This enables your business to better forecast future obligations. Variable interest rates tied to the Prime Rate as published in the Wall Street Journal. Link your line of credit or term loan to your Bank of Marin digital banking account for 24/7 access to advances and payments. MORE INFO.
- Redwood Credit Union (for members only): In an effort to provide financial relief to RCU Members and small businesses who have been impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic, we are offering the following programs (effective immediately with an end date to be determined): Unsecured Personal Loan for Members (including Business) of between $500 - $5,000, terms 3-12 month, interest rate 0.00% and loan payments will be amortized over the term of the loan with no interest added. RCU is also offering Disaster Relief Payment Assistance and is enhancing its payment deferral program to provide extended payment relief for those Members that need it by allowing. RCU is also waiving all late fees for three months, through May. MORE INFO.
- KIVA is another small business lender. Here's what they're doing to help small businesses dealing with the impact of COVID19.
- California IBank has low-interest and state-guaranteed business loans and micro-loans for small business borrowers who have been impacted by regional disasters and who need term loans or lines of credit for working capital.
- On the local front, many local businesses have already had to pare back staff because of the shelter in place order. If you or any business owner you know is staffing up – we're looking at your, grocery stores – let us know by email and we'll help make the right connections.
- Am I eligible for unemployment benefits? If your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to coronavirus, you can file for unemployment insurance. Benefits in California generally range from $40-$450 per week for up to six months (or possibly more than six months if you are working reduced hours and getting reduced benefits).
- Normally, state unemployment and disability benefits do not begin until a week after you file, but Gov. Gavin Newsom’s March 12 executive order waived the normal one-week waiting period before for people who are unemployed and/or disabled because of coronavirus.
- Also: “If a person is temporarily out of work and plans to return to the same employer, they do not need to meet the usual requirement of looking for work while they are collecting unemployment benefits,” Employment Development Department spokesman Barry White said. “EDD will inform them if they are not required to look for work each week. As it stands now, if a person is not connected to a certain employer with a job to return to, they are required to look for work while collecting benefits.” MORE INFO.
For more on state disability, paid family leave and unemployment, see . - If you have other benefits or questions for employers and workers impacted by COVID-19, the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency can help with unemployment Insurance and other tools for affected workers.
- The Employment Development Department (EDD) provides a variety of resources for employers who anticipate a reduction of work hours or potential closure or layoffs as a result of Coronavirus. Employers experiencing a hardship as a result of Coronavirus may also request up to a 60-day extension of time from the EDD to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest. For questions, employers may call the EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center at (888) 745-3886.
- Sick Leave: The California Industrial Relations Department administers the state’s paid sick leave law, which requires almost all public- and private-sector employers to give almost all employees in California at least three paid sick days per year. If they have leave available, employees can use it “for absences due to illness, the diagnosis, care or treatment of an existing health condition or preventative care for the employee or the employee’s family member. Preventative care may include self-quarantine as a result of potential exposure to COVID-19 if quarantine is recommended by civil authorities,” the department says. MORE INFO.
PG&E has placed a moratorium on shut offs due to any nonpayment.
Doomsday. What can I do if I have to shut down my business permanently?If you are facing potential layoffs or closures, you can get help through the Rapid Response program. Rapid Response teams will meet with you to discuss your needs, help avoid layoffs where possible, and support your workers through the process. Services can include upgrades to current worker skills, customized training, career counseling, job search assistance, help with filing unemployment insurance claims, and info about education and training opportunities. For more info, contact Sylwia Palczswska at SPalczwska@workforcealliancenorthbay.org or by phone at 707-699-1947 or Stacey Caico at Scaico@workforcealliancenorthbay.org or by phone at 707- 530-2322.
If you've made it this far, by the time you've read all this, a whole universe of possibilities – good, bad and in between – could arise, so stay connected to all of our communication channels. And be good to yourselves and your people.
Email us anytime.
Easy application process for loans between $5,000 and 20,000. If the Bank’s accepted credit score is met, only one application and minimal supplementary documentation is required.
• To meet all your financing needs, larger loans up to $150,000 are available subject to additional documentation and underwriting.
• Line of credit with a 2-year maturity and a $100.00 loan documentation fee to open