Good evening everyone,

Tomorrow JCBD staff will be in Japantown checking in on merchants. Please let us know if there are any changes in your business hours so that we can update the JapantownSF.org website.

As mentioned in our last email many of you have been providing meals to those on the front lines. We’ve seen your posts on Instagram and we’d like to start sharing them with the Japantown community in our general emails.

Also few businesses have inquired if they should consider boarding up their store fronts as other merchant corridors have done. So far Japantown has not experienced any reported break-ins since the shelter in place order. We will continue to work closely with SFPD Northern Station and others in our community to keep an eye out and keep you informed.

Please stay safe!

JapantownSF
Community Ambassadors

SFMTA has sent an alert letting riders know to expect longer wait times on most MUNI routes tomorrow (4/6). They are working to reconfigure service to match new travel patters with available service. AddSitional service changes will start Tuesday and Wednesday.

Reminder that API Legal Outreach staff is now available to assist one-on-one with our Japantown small businesses to help guide you through the various COVID-19 programs, services and loan programs.

Please call 1-415-567-6255 and leave a message requesting help in the language preferred. Currently they provide assistance in the following languages: Korean, Japanese, Tagalog, Cantonese, and Spanish. Please do not forget to leave your name, business name and phone number so that API staff can contact you.

Version-LISC Small Business Recovery Grant Application
Grants to help small businesses fill urgent financial gaps until they can resume normal operations or until other more permanent financing becomes available. The application period for Round 1 is now closed. Click here to register for 2nd round of funding that will begin mid-April.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan
Small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. This advance will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Funds will be made available within three days of a successful application. This loan advance will not have to be repaid.

Please go to: https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/ to start the application process. Information is available in: Japanese / Korean

Following update from Greg Viloria of the Japan Center Malls

Here is a some advice from Union Bank on how to prepare for the Paycheck Protection Act. This basically gives you some guidance on what documents you need to prepare prior to the application.

Here is California Bank & Trust's preparation checklist for the Paycheck Protection Act. It is a bit more detailed.

We found that the SBA has a free Webinar that will provide a high-level general overview of the SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EILD) and the application process. It will take place tomorrow, April 6 at 8:00AM PDT. Sign-up and Register here.

Please notethe changes in operating hours for the Japan Center Garage. Please share this information with your staff and customers.

SF Assessing Local Business Needs
Please take the time to fill this survey out. It only 5 minutes to complete. It will provide the Office of Small Business, OEWD, SBA, and other CIty departments info as to specific help our small business owners need now and how to reach them.