The California Small Business Covid Relief Grant Program Round 1 application period begins Wednesday, December 30th at 6:00 a.m. and ends January 8th at 11:59 p.m. We strongly encourage you to get prepared and submit your application quickly. There is an automatic grading system for the first round of the appropriations- applications will not be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. However, we know that the funds will be allocated quickly and the need current need of small businesses in our state will exceed what funding in available. Be sure to:
- Review the eligibility requirements listed on the Relief Grant Website.
- Review the requested documentation on the Relief Grant Website.
- Seek assistance with your application should you require it.
<Access the California relief Grant Website>
Trisha Funk, Director of The Women’s Business Center at JEDI, will be hosting a live Q&A sessions via Zoom to answer your personal application questions on the following dates:
- December 28th, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
- December 30th, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
- December 31st, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
As part of an end-of-year pandemic relief package, Congress has passed several changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and created a “Second Draw” PPP for small businesses who have exhausted their initial loan. Changes also impact eligibility for initial PPP loans, the loan forgiveness process, and the tax treatment of PPP loans.
Congress has also made changes to other programs – including Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL Program), the Employee Retention Tax Credit, a Venue Grant program, and SBA loan programs –that will benefit small businesses.
The US Chamber of Commerce has created a page that clearly outlines these changes and how small businesses will be affected. Click the link below to find answers to your questions.
Guide To Federal Emergency Loans
Three important new California labor laws were passed this fall. SB 1159- Workers’ Compensation COVID-19 Presumptions, AB 1867: Supplemental Paid Sick Leave, and SB 1383: California Family Rights Act Expansion.
SB 1383 significantly expands the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) to include all employers with five or more employees — effectively eliminating the New Parent Leave Act, the obligations of which will be folded into the expanded CFRA. This expansion will have a major impact on small businesses. It brings into the fold many employers who have never had to deal with administering these benefits, so it is important for them to get up to speed on this law as it will take effect on January 1st.
We encourage you to listen to this helpful podcast featuring Cal Chamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Erika Frank, who is joined by employment law experts Matthew Roberts and Bianca Saad as they highlight these three important new labor laws.
