Businesses and their employees are important parts of the fabric of our Santa Barbara community and we need your cooperation and partnership to get through this public health emergency.
Mayor Murillo formed this ad hoc Task Force to collaborate on input and recommendations for restarting the economy and local business sector. For more information click here: Business Advisory Task Force
Tips for Businesses/Employees
The Economic Development Collaborative has produced a comprehensive business resource guide which can be accessed on their website here.
CA State GO-Biz Programs
Main Street Small Business Tax Credit
Senate Bill 1447 was enacted on September 9, 2020, and allows a small business hiring credit against California state income taxes or sales and use taxes to certain California qualified small business employers that receive a tentative credit reservation.
On December 1, 2020, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) will begin accepting applications for tentative small business hiring credit reservation amounts through an online reservation system. Qualified small business employers must apply with the CDTFA for a credit reservation. The credit reservations will be allocated to qualified small business employers on a first-come, first-served basis. The reservation system will be available from December 1, 2020 at 8:00 a.m., through January 15, 2021. Within 30 days of receiving an application, CDTFA will notify each applicant via email whether a tentative credit reservation has been allocated to them and the amount of the tentative credit reservation.
Please note, this credit only applies to California small businesses that meet the following qualifications:
Small Business Relief Grant
Governor Newsom and the Legislature announced a package of assistance for small businesses impacted by COVID-19, including $500 million in grants. While the program is being created, please sign up here to receive an update when launched. Additional assistance announced: tax relief (click here); and recovery loans through the California Rebuilding Fund.
Information on Financial Assistance
On November 30, 2020, the State provided access to relief fund applications for businesses. The following website offers current information and guidance for businesses to apply for these funds.
https://covid19.ca.gov/Business-and-Employers/
Available information on this site includes:
As a note, these funding opportunities are different from the Federal Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). If you did not receive money from PPP, there are now other funding opportunities for your business.
Provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA Paycheck Protection Program will help you keep employees on the payroll! SBA will forgive the portion of the loans used for payroll, rent, utilities provided you keep your employees on your payroll or rehire them quickly.
Starting April 3, 2020, small businesses and sole proprietorships can apply. Starting April 10, 2020, independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply.
On November 17, 2020, the Santa Barbara City Council amended the City's Commercial TEMO to terminate the program on December 31, 2020. Repayment of deferred rent is required to begin on January 1, 2021, unless other arrangements have been made between landlord and tenant.
A copy of Ordinance No. 5976 is available for download HERE.
Retaurants and retailers with preexisting alcohol licenses can sell alcoholic beverages for off-site consumption via delivery and take-out temporarily, under the City's eighth revised executive order following guidance from the State Alcoholic Beverage Control's Notice of Regulatory Relief. This order will be in place through April 30.
Only essential businesses are permitted to stay open while the State’s Order is in effect.
For businesses who may have questions related to their operations can email LandUse@SantaBarbaraCA.gov
Preventing the spread of COVID
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, all essential businesses are required to do the following:
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, many offices are working from home in order to physically distance ourselves. The new work arrangement can be a challenging disruption to our normal routines.
Looking for resources to build or improve your organization's telework program?
Santa Barbara is fortunate to have a variety of Business Organizations who have additional business assistance and support that may be available. Please reference the following link to their websites.
State of California
https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/
Santa Barbara Score
santabarbara.score.org
Women’s Economic Ventures
wevonline.org/wev-covid-19-message/
Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce
sbchamber.org/covid19-resources
Santa Barbara County
readysbc.org/additional-resources/assistance-for-businesses/
California State Treasurer
treasurer.ca.gov/covid-19.asp
Economic Development Collaborative
edcollaborative.com
Businesses can provide an email to be included in any business related notices that the City may issue here.
If you are interested in connecting with the City of Santa Barbara on your preferred social networking and media sites for specific City agencies these are the official social media accounts for the City here.