In an effort to keep you informed of developments related to COVID-19, the City of Pasadena offers the following information to the Pasadena business community. Our goal is to disseminate accurate public health information, offer recommendations to prepare for and slow the spread of the virus, and provide links to resources for additional information. Please disseminate this information with your businesses, community partners, etc.
Be Prepared For The Next Round of Federal Funding for Small Businesses
The feds are expected to replenish the loan program for small businesses. Do you know what documents are needed to apply? Join the Pasadena Small Business Development Center for a webinar on Thursday, April 23rd at 11 am as they provide an overview of the application process with plenty of time for Q&A so that businesses are prepared when the funding goes live. For more information, click here.
Got Questions About Relief Funding Options?
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosts a daily webinar at 3:00 pm with a Q&A on the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Business owners must register once in order to participate on the calls. To register, please go here: https://smallbizla.org/covid19/
Local Stimulus Utility Rebate Checks- In the Mail
This week, eligible PWP electric customers began receiving their rebate checks this week from the City of Pasadena. The rebate check is for an amount of the Underground Utility Surtax (UUG Surtax) that was paid by electric customers for the past two-year period, from April 2018 through March 2020. The rebate checks do not need to be repaid. PWP's current electric customers can find out the amount of their rebate by logging onto their utility account. For more information, click here.
City Extends Deadlines for Lane Use and Related Matters
On March 30th, City Council adopted a resolution to authorize the City Manager to extend certain time limits imposed by the Pasadena Municipal Code related to land use matters approved prior to July 1, 2020. For more information, click here.
Top 3 Things Business Owners Can Do Now
With news and information churning out on the daily, here are 3 things that business owners can do now to keep the lights on. For more information, click here.
Face Coverings Required for Essential Businesses
Just a reminder, facial coverings are REQUIRED for employees of essential workers, along with customers patronizing essential businesses. For more information, click here.
Employee Rights Webinar To Help Workers Who Have Been Laid Off
The Foothill Workforce Development Board (FWDB) will host another webinar on Monday, April 27, 2020 at 1 PM to help Pasadena workers impacted by COVID-19. If you have been laid off and have questions about unemployment and health insurance or financial and job services, join this webinar for helpful information and get on-the-spot answers to your questions. To participate, go to https://zoom.us/j/6967524809. Dial-In Option: 1-669-900-6833 (US Toll) or 1-346-248-7799 (US Toll). Meeting ID: 696-752-4809.
What Does Reopening A Restaurant Look Like After the Order has Lifted?
Many restaurants are asking what reopening will look like in Pasadena after the order has lifted. While there is no date certain for lifting the order, the Pasadena Public Health Department has indicated that food facilities that have temporarily closed must contact the Environmental Health Office at (626) 744-6004 for approval once the stay-at-home orders are lifted. In most instances, approvals to reopen will be granted over the phone. Prior to calling, operators should conduct a self-inspection to verify the following:
- Utilities are on and all equipment is working properly
- Water heater is adjusted to produce hot water of 120F or greater at the ware washing sink
- All refrigeration units are equipped with working and accurate thermometers
- The facility is vermin-free and has recently been treated by a licensed pest control company
In some instances, an inspection will be required prior to reopening. This will occur of the facility changed ownership while closed, if the menu changed, or if equipment was added, removed, or replaced.
Virtual Marketing Opportunity for Pasadena Businesses
Pasadena businesses with free engaging content are encouraged to take advantage of a marketing opportunity to include your business in the "Connect Pasadena" directory of virtual content. Since it's launch, the directory has been featured on NPR, NBC Los Angeles, and Pasadena Now.
The online directory can be found at https://www.visitpasadena.com/virtual-activities/. “Connect Pasadena” is intended to provide Pasadenans with a variety of content to keep them active, entertained and enlightened while safe at home, as the community continues to practice safe social distancing during COVID-19.
To submit virtual content for inclusion visit http://www.cityofpasadena.net/virtual-connect. Content must meet certain criteria.
Free Pasadena-branded Video Conference Backgrounds
Show some civic pride on your next Zoom meeting with some Pasadena-esque video conference backgrounds. Download your favorite image and upload to your video conference platform... for free! For more information, click here.
Local Store Marketing Tool To Help Your Business
The City of Pasadena is pleased to offer Pasadena businesses an additional marketing tool to target potential customers, especially in planning for future marketing campaigns. Businesses interested in repositioning or finding and attracting new audiences can do that with the help of a local store marketing tool. The LSMx program is intended for small and/or independent business owners and provides customer and trade area insights. Here is a demo video. To learn more and to sign-up to access this FREE tool, Pasadena businesses should click here.
Helpful Links For State Business Resources:
- The State Employment Development Department (EDD) has a dedicated webpage for worker and employer issues related to COVID-19. Info for workers includes: unemployment & disability insurance, paid family leave, reduced work hours, etc. Info for employers includes: tax assistance, potential closure or layoffs, and workplace health & safety.
- EDD Tax Assistance - Employers experiencing a hardship as a result of COVID-19 may request up to a 60-day extension of time from the EDD to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest. Call the EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center 1-888-745-3886 (toll-free).
- OnwardCA is a new resource for the people of the state of California impacted by COVID-19. For more information, click here.
- The Small Business Finance Center (SBFC) partners with Financial Development Corporations to provide loan guarantees and direct loans for small businesses that experience capital access barriers. For more info about loan programs can be found here.
Helpful Links Regarding COVID-19:
- City of Pasadena Novel Coronavirus page
- City of Pasadena COVID-19 Information for Businesses
- Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Information Page & Business Toolkit
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Novel Coronavirus page
- Center for Disease Control Guidelines for Workplace, Home & School
- Before travelling, please visit the Department of State Travel Advisory page
- Please call 211, the LA County hotline, for any health and human services needs.
- Follow the City of Pasadena on Social Media for frequent updates: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
Sign-Up for Business Briefing Updates:
Please encourage your merchants, business owners, and associates to subscribe to receive these business updates related to the City of Pasadena's response to COVID-19. To subscribe, click here.
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We appreciate our business community's patience, understanding, and support |