Good evening everyone,

We have a few important announcements!
• Paycheck Protection Program
• Small Business Vitality Mini Grant
• Women Owned Small Business Mini Grant

Today the President signed the $484 billion COVID-19 Relief Package from which $310 billion will be used to replenish the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). 

Those who have already applied for the Paycheck Protection Program but your application was not funded in the first round or not processed,  please check with your bank as soon as possible to confirm that they will continue to process your application or whether they have set new criteria. If you have not applied please call your financial institutions immediately. Download a copy of the PPP borrower application form to see what type of information will be requested.

Small Business Economic Vitality Mini GrantThe Small Business Economic Vitality Mini Grants Plan is available for any family owned or owner owned small businesses located between Sutter and Geary from Laguna to Fillmore, Buchanan Mall, and Buchanan St. within the JCBD boundaries that meet the necessary criteria. The Japantown Task Force, Inc. (JTF) is collaborating with the Japantown Community Benefit District (JCBD) to outreach to merchants and businesses. In these uncertain times, JTF and JCBD recognizes the financial hardship the current matters related to COVID-19 has impacted our merchants. This grant is to help ease the difficulties of your business and encourage a prosperous commercial business in Japantown. The funding comes from the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development.

Available Grant Amount: Up to $1,000 for each eligible business 

Apply for a women-owned small business mini-grant
Get a grant for up to $2,000 for women-owned small business affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

LISC Small Business Relief Grants Due Tuesday, 28 at

LISC is one of the country's largest social enterprises supporting projects and programs to revitalize underserved communities and bring greater economic opportunity to residents. Thanks to support from funders like Verizon and Sam's Club, LISC is providing grants to small businesses, to help them keep functioning and remain vital facets of their local economies through this challenging period.

Grant Application: Before completing the appliation, please read the Grant Overview and FAQ.

Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, April 28 at 11:59PM EST.  

California Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program
The Small Business Finance Center (SBFC) has partnered with Financial Development Corporations to provide loan guarantees and direct loans for small businesses that experience capital access barriers. The site lists financial development corporations that you can contact directly to apply.

A reminder that Facebook has pledged to give $100 million in small-business grants to help struggling businesses emerge from this pandemic — and $15 million in grants will be distributed in the Bay Area. 

Grant Application: Open: Apr 20 2020 10:00 AM (EDT)
Deadline: May 6 2020 11:59 PM (EDT)

Application website:
https://www.facebook.com/grantsforbusiness

API Legal Outreach (APILO) can assist you in the application process and answer any other questions you may have. Please call 1-415-567-6255 and leave a message requesting help in the language preferred. They are able to provide assistance in the following languages: Korean, Japanese, Tagalog, Cantonese, and Spanish. Leave your name, business name and phone number so that APILO staff can contact you.

Small businesses are facing significant impacts during the coronavirus pandemic. Join Mayor London Breed and members of San Francisco’s small business community for a webinar to discuss the City’s response to COVID-19.

Get updates and information on small business support, the latest regarding the Stay Home Public Health Order, and the City’s Economic Recovery Task Force. 

Panelists include: Cynthia Huie, Small Business Commissioner, Rodney Fong, President & CEO of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, Joaquín Torres, Director of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development

In light of security concerns for small businesses that have arisen during COVID-19, the San  San Francisco Chamber of Commerce is hosting a forum with San Francisco Police Department, Commander Daryl Fong. Join us to ask questions and learn more about SFPD strategies and recommendations for protecting small businesses amid COVID-19. Please share this free event with anyone who you think may benefit. Please register in advance. Questions can be submitted with your registration or using the Q&A feature in the Webinar. 

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