Your business makes our community a richer, more diverse, and more inviting place to live, work and raise a family. Thank you for your perseverance in overcoming the challenges presented by COVID-19. While the challenges we have faced have been unprecedented, we are making progress. Infections rates are declining, and as a consequence, Governor Newsom is loosening restrictions and restoring individual freedoms.
A lot has gone on since our last economic development update. For many, keeping up with the latest infection rates and current restrictions has been challenging. To simplify the process, on August 28th Governor Newsom revealed the State's latest reopening guidelines. With this new plan, two county-level COVID-19 testing variables will serve as the basis for business and personal restrictions. The first variable is the number of daily new COVID cases per 100,000 residents. The second variable is the number of positive COVID test results, as a percentage, out of all COVID test results within that particular county. Depending on the number of (i) daily new cases and (ii) the overall percentage of positive COVID test results in each county, that county will be placed in one of four "county risk levels."
On Wednesday, August 12th, The City of Cathedral City, along with the Riverside County Business & Community Services and SBDC held a one hour webinar on Small Business Update, discussing Economic Injury Disaster Loan, Payroll Protection Program, Riverside County Small Business Grant, Reopening and Recovery and Resources available for your business.
Since our May 2020 Economic Development update, a lot has occurred. The governor allowed California to move into the Reopening Stage 2.5 that allowed more businesses to reopen. Unfortunately, COVID-19 infection rates climbed quickly, and now, many previous restrictions were put back in place.
As our economy has reopened, the number of COVID-19 infections has dramatically increased. County leadership is concerned. If the number of COVID infections continue to increase, the State may reimpose lockdown restrictions.
Calling All Businesses & Nonprofits - Apply for the PPP Loan before June 30 Deadline! With the passage of the Flexibility Act, the PPP loan has become much more flexible.
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved a grant to provide up to $10,000 to aid small businesses enduring hardships due to the coronavirus pandemic. These businesses must apply online from June 3 to June 19.
The County of Riverside proclaimed a local emergency and set a countywide curfew tonight from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. The order was signed today by County Executive Officer and Director of Emergency Services George Johnson, in coordination with law enforcement officials, and applies to all cities and unincorporated areas.
Governor Newsom is allowing our economy to begin a partial (Phase 2) reopening. For businesses which comply with State safety guidelines, businesses may begin reopening TODAY.
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a plan for distributing $431 million in funding from the federal government, allocating $50 million of that amount for a countywide small business assistance program. A program like this will help businesses impacted by interruptions due to the pandemic.