CA SMALL BUSINESS COVID-19 RELIEF GRANT

Office of the Small Business Advocate Announces New Funding Rounds CA Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant  

The additional $1.5 billion expansion, for a total of $4 billion, makes California’s small business relief program the largest in the country The funding will support small businesses and nonprofits that have struggled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

If your business has not applied for this grant, New Applications will be accepted starting September 9th. If you need assistance with your application, please contact the Madera Chamber of Commerce at (559) 673-3563

California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), part of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), announced today that there will be three additional rounds for the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program following Governor Gavin Newsom signing into law the largest economic recovery package in state history.  

“With three new rounds to aid equitable economic recovery, California is keeping its promise to small businesses, families and individuals to push back on the pandemic-induced financial hardships and create the environment for small businesses to come back better than before,” said Tara Lynn Gray, Director of the Office of the Small Business Advocate.  

Guided by a principle of equity, the program provides a crucial financial recovery resource to traditionally underserved small businesses and nonprofits. As of today, in the first six funding rounds of the program, 180,939 small businesses and nonprofits have been awarded for a total of $2,034,395,811 in grant funding. Additional data can be found at https://business.ca.gov/coronavirus-2019/.  

The additional $1.5 billion expansion, for a total of $4 billion, makes this the largest small business grant program of its kind in the country and provides grants up to $25,000 for small businesses impacted by the pandemic. The three new competitive funding rounds will be conducted by CalOSBA’s selected intermediary, Lendistry. 

In accordance with the signed legislation (SB 151), there will be a closed round for existing eligible applicants who were waitlisted in previous rounds.  These applicants do not need to reapply. There will be at least one additional round for nonprofit cultural institutions. Additional information can be found at CAReliefGrant.com and below:

Round 7: Waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds Selection Window: Tuesday, August 3 through Thursday, September 16  

Eligible applicants: New applications will not be accepted in this round. This is a closed round and only available to eligible applicants who were waitlisted in certain previous rounds.  Selection does not guarantee approval or an award. If you were waitlisted, you do not need to reapply.    

Eligible grant award: $5,000 to $25,000

Details: This is a closed funding round; no new applications will be accepted. Round 8: Nonprofit cultural institutions only Application window: Friday, August 27 through Wednesday, September 8  

Eligible applicants: Only nonprofit cultural institutions of any revenue size that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com Eligible grant award: $5,000 – $25,000  

Details: Approximately $16 million remain under the Nonprofit Cultural Institutions Program. Eligible nonprofit cultural institutions must complete a new application even if they already applied in Rounds 1, 2, 5 or 6; nonprofit cultural institutions that applied in Round 4 do not need to reapply.  Grants will only be available to nonprofit cultural institutions that did not receive funding in any previous rounds. Grants will be prioritized based on the documented percentage revenue declines based on a reporting period comparing Q2 and Q3 of 2020 versus Q2 and Q3 of 2019.

Round 9: New Applicants and Waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds Application window: Thursday, September 9 through Thursday, September 30  

Eligible applicants: Current waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds and new applicants that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com

Eligible grant award: $5,000 – $25,000

Details: Applicants not selected to move forward in the review process in Rounds 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, or 7 do not need to re-apply and will be automatically moved into Round 9. New applicants need to apply at CAReliefGrant.com.

The California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program is administered by CalOSBA through a competitive bid award to its intermediary, Lendistry, and its statewide network of community-based lenders and partners. Many of the state-supported small business centers, which prioritize the expansion of technical assistance to underserved business groups, are also available to help small businesses with the application process in multiple languages and formats.   

For more information on grant requirements and eligibility, along with links to application tips and webinars, visit CAReliefGrant.com.

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE WITH GRANT THIS PROGRAM…CONTACT MADERA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 559.673.3563

COVID-19 – WORKPLACE SAFETY STANDARDS

Physical distancing and capacity limits for businesses and activities are over. While California retired most industry-specific guidance, all employers are still responsible for maintaining safe, low-risk environments for employees and customers.

COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards

Employers must follow California’s COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS). The revised ETS reflect the state’s current COVID-19 public health guidelines. Visit saferatwork.ca.gov to learn more about COVID-19 workplace requirements.

Providing N95 Respirators – Employers must provide unvaccinated employees with N95 respirators upon their request and at no cost. California is providing a one-month supply of N95 respirators to small businesses. Contact the Madera Chamber of Commerce at (559) 673-3563 for more information.

Employers may require employees to be vaccinated

An employer can require their employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as long as the employer:

  • Does not discriminate against or harass employees or job applicants on the basis of a protected characteristic, such as disability or national origin
  • Provides reasonable accommodations related to disability or sincerely-held religious beliefs or practices
  • Does not retaliate against anyone for engaging in protected activities, such as requesting a reasonable accommodation

Learn more about workplace safety and civil rights in the Department of Fair Employment and Housing’s FAQsPDF.

Find details about reasonable accommodations in the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Commission’s information about COVID-19 and EEO laws.

Request proof of vaccination

Employers requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination status for employees or patrons should follow the Department of Public Health’s Vaccine Record Guidelines and Standards:

  • Verify records through a private and confidential process.
  • Protect patrons from discrimination.
  • Do not create barriers to essential services or restrict access based on a protected characteristic.

Help employees get vaccinated!

Employers can assist their employees by:

  • Coordinating vaccination events with provider partners
  • Hosting a mobile or pop-up clinic
  • Helping employees book appointments
  • Providing employees with educational resources

Learn more about the Employer Vaccination Toolkit at saferatwork.ca.gov.

Madera Pomegranate, Fruit, and Nut Festival

The Madera Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Alliance Committee has announced that the 10th annual Pomegranate, Fruit, & Nut Festival will be held on November 6, 2021 at the Madera District Fairgrounds.

Sponsorship and Vendor forms available NOW! 

The following links will take you to our downloadable and digital registration forms.  Once you download to your computer, you can reopen to type directly into the form.  You will have to print when complete to sign and date before submitting.  You can also just print the forms and fill out by by hand.

SPONSORS, VENDORS AND EXHIBITORS click here for Registration Form

FOOD PRODUCT AND SERVICE VENDORS click here for Registration Form

For questions or additional information, please contact the Madera Chamber of Commerce at 559.673.3563 or email tjordan@maderachamber.com

Madera Downtown Old Timers’ Day Celebration

This year’s Old Timers’ Day is an important piece of Madera’s past. It preserves a tradition that was launched during the dark days of the Depression and shows no sign of going away. It was early in the year 1931, when someone conceived of an idea to initiate something called “Old Timers’ Day” in Madera County. What resulted was not only an outpouring of community spirit during those days of economic dislocation, but an annual tradition as well, one that is now 89 years old. In an incredible display of community cohesiveness, Maderans from all walks of life came together in that first Old Timers’ Day celebration to pay homage to their past. This year’s Old Timers’ Day Celebration begins with the Old Timers Day Parade will be on Saturday, September 25 at 10 am and ends with Booths in the Park at Courthouse Park. Parade Route: Lake Street heading west to G Street.

For Old Timers’ Day Parade Sponsorship Forms, Parade Entry Forms, and Booth in the Park forms, select your options:

Old Timers’ Day Parade Sponsorship Package- Click Here

For your printable Parade Application – Click Here

PDF fill in Parade Application – Click Here

The Celebration continues with “Booths in the Park”

The Madera Young Professionals invites the community to the Madera County Courthouse Park on Saturday, September 25, 2021 for post parade activities with “Booths in the Park”.  There will be food vendors, art and craft vendors, information booths, and tours are available at the Courthouse Museum and Historical Jail. Come out an enjoy a whole day of fun.

Application – Click Here

New Madera Business Now Open – Love’s Travel Stop & Country Store

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, the nation’s industry-leading travel stop network, is now serving customers in Madera, California.

“We’re excited to add another location on the West Coast and our 12th location in California,” said Tom Love, founder and executive chairman of Love’s. “Professional and four-wheel drivers now have another safe, clean and well-maintained stop in this vital corridor to help get them back on the road quickly.”

The Madera store, located off Highway 99, adds 94 jobs and 95 truck and 57 car parking spaces to Madera County.

In honor of the grand opening, Love’s and the Madera Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony.

  • Crowd for Ribbon Cutting
  • Love’s Manager and Chamber Board Certificate Presentation
  • Love’s Ribbon Cutting

The location is open 24/7 and offer many amenities, including:

  • More than 8,500 square feet.
  • Chester’s Chicken, Godfather’s Pizza and Arby’s.
  • Ninety-five truck parking spaces.
  • Fifty-seven car parking spaces.
  • Four RV parking spaces.
  • Nine diesel bays.
  • Seven showers.
  • Laundry facilities.
  • On-site Speedco.
  • Bean to cup gourmet coffee.
  • Brand-name snacks.
  • Fresh Kitchen concept.
  • Mobile to Go Zone with the latest electronics.
  • CAT scale.
  • Dog park.
madera california loves truck stop

Stay connected to Love’s operations by following the company on Facebook and Instagram.