One more Pasadenan has died from complications associated with the Coronavirus and 30 additional cases of the virus were reported on Thursday, bringing the total cases to 293 and the death toll to 29, according to Pasadena officials. In addition, a National Guard medical unit has been dispatched to Brighton Care facility. LA County also announced that Coronavirus is the leading killer of county residents. 
Governor Gavin Newsom announced a program of the State of California and FEMA to pay restaurants to feed senior citizens. Governor Gavin Newsom today announced a series of initiatives to support vulnerable older Californians who are isolating at home during California’s stay at home order. California is launching a first-in-the nation meal delivery program, a partnership to make wellness check-in calls, and the expansion of Friendship Line California to help combat social isolation. These actions will support the approximately 1.2 million Californians over the age of 65 who live alone. This first-in-the-nation program will ensure vulnerable older Californians have consistent access to nutritious meals while staying safe at home. The Restaurants Deliver: Home Meals for Seniors program will enlist community restaurants to prepare meals that will be delivered to older Californians who are isolating at home during California’s stay at home order. The program will also support local restaurant workers and owners who have lost business during the pandemic. The program will be administered by local authorities and will serve older Californians who are ineligible for other nutrition programs. The Administration will keep updated information on the COVID-19 website on which localities are participating. The program will apparentlhy be administered through the City of Pasadena. I will send information on participation as soon as the City of Pasadena announces how locally owned restaurants can participate.
SBA will resume accepting PPP loan applications on Monday, April 27 at 10:30AM EDT from approved lenders on behalf of any eligible borrower. The PPP has supported more than 1.6 million small businesses and protected millions of hardworking Americans in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and each territory. During its initial run, the SBA and Department of the Treasury were able to process more than 14 years’ worth of loans in less than 14 days. With the additional funds appropriated by Congress, tens of millions of additional workers across the nation will benefit from this critical relief. SBA encourages all approved lenders to process loan applications previously submitted by eligible borrowers and disburse funds expeditiously. All eligible borrowers who need these funds should work with an approved lender to apply. Borrowers should carefully review PPP regulations and guidance and the certifications required to obtain a loan. Information is found online at www.sba.gov/paycheckprotection.
Now, I owe you all an apology. I promoted the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation grant program robustly and many tried to take advantage of the opportunity. Unfortunately, I like so many others was hobbled in my application process when the website crashed after 15 seconds. Subsequent attempts to log on and apply were more than frustrating. Ultimately, once the site came back up, the US Chamber Foundation announced it had accepted all the grants it could. Again, I am sorry if you wasted your time trying to apply for the US Chamber Foundation grant.
Also, there are a lot of crooks, scammers, thieves and others who want to separate you from your 
Be wary and be careful.
Now - another opportunity (as with the LA County and US Chamber grant programs) you should anticipate a huge demand and (even with Facebook) connection and server challenges:
Los Angeles-area small businesses are now able to apply for Facebook's Small Business Grants Program. This initiative is part of Facebook’s pledge to offer $100M in small business grants worldwide.
To be eligible to apply, you must:
- Be a for-profit company
- Have between 2 and 50 employees
- Have been in business for over a year
- Have experienced challenges from COVID-19
Facebook is working with Ureeka, a third-party partner to select and distribute grants. Ureeka’s application will ask you to share your contact information, a brief summary about your business and how you would use the cash grant, for example to continue paying employees or help with rent costs.
To complete the application, you’ll also need at least one of the following documents:
- Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
- Partnership documents
- Business license
- Proof of incorporation
- Official registration
Don't delay! Applications are now open and will be available for two weeks. Read more program information from Facebook or begin your application.
LISC also has a grant available for small businesses. These are intended to support women -owned and minority owned small businesses. You can find the information here: https://www.research.net/r/LISCreliefgrant
Salesforce has $10,000 grants available to for-profit small businesses. You can find informtion here: https://grants.ureeka.biz/salesforce
You can find information about CalCAP for Small Business, the CA Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development Loan Loss Reserve Program here https://usc.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=31787144ce2462a3ba7347651&id=d731f9db2a&e=4f33bdf795
Again, these will be very competitive grants. I urge you to apply, but be prepared for long waits to connect and a very large pool of businesses applying.
The best bet is still applying for an SBA CARES Act loan through your bank. Congress is on the verge of approving additional funds for the program. If you haven't already applied, please contact your bank and start the application process.
Here is a good source of information on financing available to businesses:
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
https://smallbizla.org/covid19/
You can also check for updates on our website here: http://www.pasadena-chamber.org/covid-19
Here are some specialized grants that are available:
On April 2, 2020, the FCC announced that it will provide $200M in funding to eligible educational institutions, hospitals, clinics, and health centers to support the provision of connected care services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant application window opened Monday, April 13, 2020.
Telehealth products and services covered by the grant funding:
- Telecommunications Services
- Information Services
- Devices and equipment
Only qualifying non-profit healthcare providers are eligible for funding under this program. Read the FCC Report and Order Telehealth Relief for COVID-19: Navigating the FCC Grant Process.
HERE IS SOME INFORMATION FROM THE JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION ON RESTAURANTS
Market intel is becoming clear that the outlook of restaurant owners has only worsened since the PPP program was put in place. The survey attached from the honorable and respected James Beard Foundation found the percentage of restaurant owners in cities with mandatory closures who don’t believe they could survive more than a month of closure increased from 17% to 28% after the CARES Act passed. “Immediately following the opening of the PPP application, independent restaurants should have been gaining confidence, not becoming more anxious, which is what we’re seeing from this data,” James Beard Foundation CEO Clare Reichenbach said. “The fact that restaurants are now more fearful of losing their livelihood than before PPP opened shows just how futile the program has been in helping this industry.” 'How Long Can We Do This?' With government relief not sufficient to keep restaurants alive, they are trying to keep the lights on by pivoting to takeout and delivery service. But industry leaders say the sales from those services are unsustainable. Download the report here (be warned, this is scary!): http://www.pasadena-chamber.org/sites/default/files/media/Covid_Restaurant_Survey_James_Beard_Foundation.pdf
HERE ARE WEBINARS, CONFERENCE CALLS and more that could be helpful:
The Department of Labor’s Final Rule updating the overtime exemptions are here. There has been dramatic changes and amendments made to the provisions under FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act). Some changes include increase in the annual salary an employee. The new rule raises the annual salary threshold for exempt employees primarily in the Executive, Administrative, & Professional categories. Employees are required to be paid overtime premium if they fall under the new guidelines. These latest regulations demand a complete re-examination of definitions and classifications of all employees, payroll payment practices & administration. It also requires careful implementation to prevent violations that could result in fines and penalties. Many companies will experience added employees classified as non-exempt and a resulting increase in payroll costs, record keeping and reporting. This webinar is designed to guide you with the New FLSA Overtime Rules and avoid any legal and financial pitfalls. Please join us for this informative session titled "New DOL Overtime Rules For Employers– New Regulations To Mitigate Legal & Financial Risks In 2020" on Thursday, May 07, 2020. Please use this REGISTRATION LINK to register yourself to participate in this webinar.
AALRR Workshops Small and midsize businesses are encouraged to check out these online workshops to discuss sourcing opportunities and how to prepare for what comes next. The webinars will take place weekly for the next few weeks on Wednesdays at 10:00 am for 30 minutes. RSVP
Bolton & Company are offering handy recaps of the bewildering tax developments facing businesses this April. Many thanks! Read the Latest Update
Here are some Chamber members who can assist with information and advice:
Legal Advice and Assistance from Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo and Hahn & Hahn LLP
Tax and Accounting Services from KPMG and Lucas Horsfall
Banking Loans and Financial Assistance from Cathay Bank, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, City National Bank, and Citizens Business Bank
Utilities help from Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Company
Internet and Cell Phone Service from AT&T, Verizon and Charter Communications