But first:
Almost two weeks ago George Floyd was killed by a police officer who kneeled on his neck, choking the unarmed and handcuffed African-American man, for more than 8 1/2 minutes. For two of those minutes, Mr. Floyd apparently was dead. The video, which we have all seen by now, is horrific. The resulting demonstrations and protests across the country have expressed justifiable outrage over Mr. Floyd's treatment and death. In some instances, including here in Southern California demonstrations have enabled some elements to loot, vandalize and steal. I am heartened to see community members coming out to protect their local businesses in East LA, Santa Ana, Long Beach and elsewhere. Not just business owners, but their customers and neighbors stood together to repel vandals and protect their neighborhood shop and restaurants.
Here in Pasadena there have been ongoing demonstrations by rightfully outraged residents. There have been a very small number of attempts at looting here, but Pasadena Police have responded quickly and intervened before anything could be stolen. In one instance, windows were broken and in another four women from Los Angeles were arrested after a Pasadena Police officer was alerted and intervened. At the same time, demonstrators here have remained focused on Mr. Floyd's death and calling for necessary reforms. In Pasadena, legitimate protesters have not tolerated vandalism, theft or damage and have not allowed their message to be clouded by illegal acts. 
The video of Mr. Floyd's killing at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer while three others stood by without intervening to save his life exposes to all of us the grave injustices that many of our residents face on a daily basis. It is horrible to watch, but also provides an opportunity for all of us to support change and act to ensure necessary improvements are made for the betterment of all of us as Americans. Improvements to law enforcement are necessary, along with education reform and broadened economic opportunity for all. We can do something to help achieve a better America for everyone.
COVID-19 NEWS:
From the LA Times: The Senate on Wednesday passed legislation giving more flexibility to recipients of the Paycheck Protection Program, which has provided thousands of restaurants and other small businesses around the country with funds intended to keep them afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The largely bipartisan bill, which overwhelmingly passed in the House last week and is now headed to President Trump, is expected to be signed into law soon. Once enacted, it will loosen key rules regarding how businesses are allowed to spend their PPP money and on what terms they’ll be required to repay it.
Under terms of the new bill, the minimum portion of PPP funds that must be spent on employee payroll would be lowered to 60% from 75%. The remainder can be spent on rent, utilities and other business-related expenses.
The amount of time loans can be used has been extended to 24 weeks from eight, while those businesses whose loans aren’t converted into grants now have five years for repayment instead of two years.
Gyms, Spas, Yoga Studios may be able to re-open soon:
From the LA Times: Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday said his administration will release guidelines “in a week or so” for allowing gyms, yoga studios and other fitness facilities to reopen, though stringent safeguards will need to be adopted to protect customers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Newsom cautioned that the state directives will be tailored to the unique characteristics of each business, from large fitness chains to small studios, and will rely heavily on the advice of public health officials in each county.
The governor made the comments during an online roundtable with fitness professionals and business owners Wednesday morning, saying he hopes to allow them to be back in business as soon as possible.
FREE MOBILE APP LISTING FOR PASADENA AREA BUSINESSES:
On June 1, 2020, a free mobile application for restaurants was unveiled to the community. Pasadena Be Local Strong lists Pasadena area restaurants that are open for business. There are no charges to restaurants to be listed and no cost to for users to download the app. The application is a collaboration between Small World Communication and the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce as part of Small World’s Be Local Strong initiative. The app can be accessed online at https://pasadena.belocalstrong.com/.
Businesses that want to be listed on the site can go to: https://belocalstrong.com/home/submit-your-listing/ and put in their information. Right now, the app only lists restaurants, but retail and service businesses will be added soon. The app is available to any retail or service business in the greater Pasadena area. Membership in the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce is not required to be listed.
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Some Local resources you may need (and can support local businesses as you do):
The Print Spot is offering free Open/Closed/Taking Orders signs for any business that wants it. To pre-order, please email Paul@pasadena-chamber.org. THESE ARE FREE FOR PASADENA CHAMBER MEMBERS COURTESY OF THE PRINT SPOT.
The Print Spot can also provide 6 feet distance floor indicators, along with signs reminding emloyees to wash hands as well as traffic directional signs for those narrow hallways. These are not free but The Print Spot is always competitive. Call The Print Spot at 323-269-4218; printspot323@gmail.com www.goprintspot.com.
Please follow the guidelines and maintain social distancing. If at all possible, when you are in 
public and could interact with anyone at all, please wear a mask. You can make your own or purchase a mask through s number of Chamber members. Face protection can be purchased through Pasadena Chamber member Beck and Call. Click here to email for info. They can create branded PPE equipment for you and your business.
Pasadena Chamber member Stark Spirits distillery retooled to manufacture approved sanitizer. You can find all the details here to get your cleaning and sanitizing products locally.
Maintco Corp. is a woman owned Pasadena Chamber member organization located in Burbank that caters to construction, maintenance and sanitation needs of varying industries. Maintco Corp. created its Maintco Certification Program that uses OSHA-approved processes to encourage a #SaferLA as businesses reopen and operate with the recent COVID-19 related restrictions and regulations. The 5-Step Maintco Certification Program Includes: Sanitizing the Facility - Maintco technicians will deep clean and sanitize all hard and porous surfaces using CDC-approved and EPA-registered sanitizers. Installing Air Filtration - Maintco’s certified technicians will install a CDC-recommended HEPA Filtration System into HVAC units to capture 99.97% of airborne allergens and viruses. Physical Protective Barriers - Maintco technicians will install translucent acrylic barriers or sneeze guards in areas requiring close physical contact. Touchless Technology - Maintco’s certified plumbers and electricians will install motion-sensored appliances and technology (toilets, hand dryers, lighting, air conditioning, door openers, etc.) throughout the facility. Visual Reminders - Maintco technicians will distribute informational and directional signs at entrances, restrooms, and other highly frequented areas.
Contact Lindsay via phone or email for information on how a Maintco Certification can help your business promote a #SaferLA. Email - lindsay.hornsby@maintco.com Cell - (951) 805-3371.
As the businesses are reopening in Pasadena and taking every effort to ensure safety and comfort of their staff and customers, I wanted to reach out and let them know that Shield48 reusable face shields are now available in Pasadena. Shield48 is a reusable face shield used as a personal protective equipment (PPE) and manufactured in Europe in cooperation with infectology and ICU specialists in conformity with the official guidelines from CDC and WHO. Each reusable face shield set includes 3 replaceable screens that can endure 100 cycles of sanitizing. Shields48 are comfortable to wear and ensure your protection all day everyday. References can be provided upon request. For local orders, please, contact Amalia at amalia@rosewalkglobal.com. We will be able to give a discount to members of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. Download the flyer here:
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT:
The Pasadena Chamber and the Pasadena Community Foundation have presented a proposal to the Pasadena City Council to fund a Storefront Small Business Relief Fund to help small, locally owned shops, restaurants and service providers with grants of up to $10,000. We originally asked for the City to seed the fund with $1 million to support 100 businesses. The City Council heard the proposal and sent it to the Economic Development and Technology Committee where the funding was slashed to $500,000. the Committee hears the proposal again on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at 4pm. You can find a copy if the agenda here: https://www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/city-council-economic-development-technology/ You can comment on Agenda Item 2A here: https://www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/public-comment/
Cities in our area, including El Monte, Pomona and Sierra Madre have used Community Development Block Grant funding to support local businesses. Monterey recognized the threat of large-scale closures of local businesses and funded a program similar to that being proposed by the Chamber and Community Foundation with $1 million. You can support our efforts by telling the Committee and the City Council how vital emergency funding is right now for your business or your neighbor's business. Again, you can comment online here: https://www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/public-comment/ or by email here sarobles@cityofpasadena.net
The City of Pasadena issues a weekly business update. You can access that here.
The City of Pasadena has implemented various expedited procedures and have modified regulations to facilitate the rapid re-opening of qualified dining and retail establishments. Modified regulations will grant certain restaurants the ability to temporarily expand dining areas in order to comply with COVID-19 related public health and safety protocols and social distancing requirements. Accordingly, several permitting processes have also been modified to be expedited in order to facilitate rapid re-openings. To learn more about these temporary regulations and processes, please visit COVID-19 Reopening Permits.
Beginning Wednesday, June 3, 2020, the City of Pasadena will launch expedited permit and plan check processes to facilitate the rapid reopening of qualified dining and retail establishments seeking to comply with COVID-19 protocols and social distancing requirements. The City will also allow certain restaurants to temporarily expand dining areas outdoors.
The expedited permits and plan check processes are now available through an online application portal. Through the portal, qualified restaurant and retail businesses can apply for express plan checks for structural and non-structural tenant improvements, administrative conditional use permits for alcohol sales, expedited design reviews for qualified retail and restaurants, and temporary outdoor dining permits. The online application portal has been created to facilitate submittal of these applications and to ensure streamlined departmental review within the expedited timeliness. To learn more about these temporary regulations and processes, or to submit an online application, visit www.cityofpasadena.net/reopening-permits.
The City of Pasadena Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department will reopen the disc golf course at Hahamongna Park and the Alice Frost Kennedy Dog Park at Vina Vieja Park on Friday, June 5. With guidance from the Pasadena Public Health Department, additional safety protocols are in place and can be found on the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department website. Signage is posted at the entrance of the newly reopened recreation amenities advising visitors of these safety protocols and guidelines. It’s vital that visitors adhere to the safety guidelines to help keep these amenities open.
The City of Pasadena and the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau are collaborating on a new directory of Pasadena's small and independent retailers who are open for in-store customers, online shopping, and curbside pickup. This is a marketing opportunity for retailers to promote their business and merchandise while increasing brand loyalty and awareness with the public. To see if your business meets minimum criteria and to sign up, click here.
LA County's Department of Public Health has prepared a toolkit for dine-in restaurants, brewpubs, craft distilleries, breweries, bars, pubs and wineries offering sit-down, dine-in meals. The toolkit offers further guidance on: COVID-19 Prevention Practices; Physical Distancing Requirements; Infection Control; Protecting Employees; Protecting Customers and Resources to communicate with your staff and customers. Restaurants and other food facilities are encouraged to support takeout and delivery service when possible.f you still have questions about prevention practices and/or requirements, visit LA County's Department of Public Health (DPH) website or call (888) 700-9995 for more information.
Apply for Los Angeles County Development Authority's Small Business Recovery Loan Program
If your business is located within a quarter mile of a major transit stop, you might be eligible for a loan for up to $20,000 to help recover from COVID-19 impacts. The application period for this program has been extended thru 5 pm, June 19th. For more information and to apply, click here.
With the passage of the Flexibility Act, the PPP loan has become much more flexible.
- Click here to view all SBA COVID-19 Business Resources like a list of local PPP lenders and our SBA Q&A Zoom recordings
- Click here to register for our SBA LIVE: EIDL and Paycheck Protection Q&A webinars
SBA District and Regional Office Webinars on Disaster Assistance
SBA district and regional offices are offering webinars about Economic Injury Disaster Loans. These webinars explain SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and how you can apply for disaster assistance.Sign up for SBA newsletters using your zip code to get updates
Beware of Scams and Fraud Schemes
The Office of Inspector General recognizes that we are facing unprecedented times and is alerting the public about potential fraud schemes related to economic stimulus programs offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration in response to the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the largest financial assistance bill to date, includes provisions to help small businesses. Fraudsters have already begun targeting small business owners during these economically difficult times. Be on the lookout for grant fraud, loan fraud, and phishing.
CalPoly Pomona offers: Adapting and Thriving in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond
Biweekly, May 26 - June 30, 2020
Cal Poly Pomona's College of Business Administration is offering free one-hour workshops online, drawing from business experts and beyond.
Next week:
- June 9, 2020, 12-1 pm: Managing Your Personal Finances During Financial Crisis - Dr. Majed Muhtaseb
- June 9, 2020, 1-2 pm: COVID-19 Landlord-Tenant Legal Resources and Letter Drafting Techniques - Dr. Carrie Shu Shang
- June 11, 2020, 12-1 pm: Customer Research for Online Businesses in the Pandemic Era and Beyond - Dr. Trayan Kushev
FOOD FOR FIRST RESPONDERS
Domino’s Pizza of Pasadena delivered fifty pizzas to be distributed to clinic 
workers in Pasadena, including those testing for COVID-19 at the North Lake Avenue Kathryn Barger Health Center. The pizzas were donated as part of the Food for First Responders effort of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
"Matt Lessa from Domino's called me a few weeks ago asking about donating pizza to Huntington Hospital. I knew the hospital was not accepting outside food at their site from previous work through Food for First Responders," said Pasadena Chamber President and CEO Paul Little. "But Matt and I discussed it and found equally deserving agencies to donate lunch to. It is really gratifying to be able to do a little something to thank the people who have been working so hard to keep us safe and healthy over the past ten weeks or so."
Food for First Responders is an initiative of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Foundation to provide meals to thank healthcare workers during the COVID-19 crisis. The initiative has proved 300 take-out meals for Huntington Hospital COVID-19 unit workers as well as lunch and dinner for Exer Urgent Care Center Pasadena staff, lunch for staff at the Pasadena Public Health Department, Shriners Medical Center for Children and ChapCare.
The need for donations is ongoing. Anyone can donate at www.pasadenayouthworks.org/donate-first-responders or through the US Mail to Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Foundation, 44 North Mentor Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91106.