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Is my business eligible to reopen?
Santa Barbara County has issuee their RISE (Reopening in Safe Environment) Guide as county guidance in addition to guidance issued by the State. As of May 26th, the County had their attestation approved by the state and passed a health order that allows the county to move into the early part of phase 3 of reopening, which includes hair salons, barbershops and places of worship.In-store retail in in-restaurant dining have also been allowed to reopen, assuming businesses can meet health and safety regulations issued by the county and state.
What does my business need to to do to reopen safely?
All businesses who are eligible to reopen (and those currently open) must follow the reopening process outlined by Santa Barbara County, which can be found HERE.
Additional Resources:- Reopening allowances/modifications (City of Santa Maria)
- No-Fee Encroachment Permit for Unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County (Santa Barbara County)
- Business operations guidance documents (CDC)
- CDC Reopening Guidance
- Health & Safety Signage for Businesses (Santa Barbara County)
- Interim business operation guidance by industry (OSHA)
- Locally sourced Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suppliers
- Charity Governance During COVID-19 Pandemic
My business has safely reopened and I want to let the community know.
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber is offering a variety of resources to our members to help promote our local business community:
What financial assistance is available to my business?
Federal Loans:
- Santa Maria Lenders providing SBA Loan Assistance
- SBA Guidance for Businesses & Employers to respond to COVID-19
- SBA Disaster Loan Assistance & Online Disaster Loan application
- SBA Fact Sheet - Economic Injury Disaster Loans
- Paycheck Protection Program FAQ's
- PPP Loan Forgiveness Guide (SBA & U.S Treasury)
Additional Financial Aid:- Employee Retention Tax Credit (US Chamber)
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (California EDD)
- Financial Resources for 501(c)6 Organizations (US Chamber)
Additional Resources:
- Federal Funding Preparation Guide (Economic Development Collaborative)
- Economic Recovery Assistance (Santa Barbara County)
- Corporate Aid Tracker
- Resources for companies facing working capital and international payment issues (US Exim Bank)
- Tips for dealing with Financial Insecurity (CoastHills)
I'm out of work. What jobs are available locally?
My business needs more employees. Where can I post job openings?
Businesses can post job availability on Santa Barbara County's Economic Recovery Page by emailing COVIDbiz@countyofsb.org and include the following information:
- Your company name,
- how to apply (if online or in person, please include your website and/or physical address),
- and if possible, the type(s) of jobs
If you are a Chamber member you can add your job postings on our Chamber website through your member login account. Any questions, email info@santamaria.com.
¿Dónde puedo encontrar recursos COVID-19 en español?
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Relief
- Connect businesses with essential information and assistance to enable them to weather the immediate disruption until an eventual reopening
- Maintain and encourage as much economic activity as possible within constraints of public health and business process disruption
Reopening
- Support protocols that allow for localized re-openings where conditions meet specified criteria
- Provide clarity to businesses about rules/conditions for reopening and operating, including allowed options, continuing restrictions, etc.
- Support businesses in their re-opening process and communication
Recovery & Reinvention
- Ensure businesses are aware of, and have access to, non-traditional forms of capital and financial support (e.g. grants, stimulus, etc.)
- Expand access to training and technical support
- Facilitate local economic activity (b2b, b2c, public investment, etc.)
- Identify and advocate for public policy and procedural changes to facilitate business activity
- Support businesses in re-hiring and/or replacing workers who do not return to work
- Support businesses in their redesign of business processes, product offerings, customer interfaces, etc.
Resilience
- Ensure community participates in, and benefits from, regional efforts to identify new opportunities to expand economy and/or mitigate areas of weakness
- Develop and implement long-term economic growth strategies
- Address pre-existing constraints (e.g. housing, higher education, collaboratives, etc.)
- Support long-term business resiliency strategies
- Capitalize, and build on, increased community support/collaboration evidenced during crisis