Good morning everyone,

Governor Gavin Newsom today unveiled six key indicators that will guide California’s thinking for when and how to modify the stay-at-home and other orders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

JCBD staff will be in Japantown today to check in on all the merchants that are open. If you have any questions/concerns, please do take this time to ask.

Please stay safe!

COVID-19 Impact Survey for Japantown Small Businesses 
& Non Profit Organizations 
Please do not forget to take part in the survey so that we can assess the business conditions in Japantown since thee shelter in place order took into effect. Deadline to submit your response is TODAY, Wednesday, April 16, 5:00pm.
Survey is available in English / 日本語 / 한국어

Reminder that API Legal Outreach staff is 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.

Sell on eBay? -  Our findings shows eBay is another great channel to sell goods. Might be a good way to also move inventory with Buy Nowpricing.  Also, ending today, is requests to defer any eBay fees. Take time to read an article about it here.

More Mentoring Help -  Fatigued by all the decisions and documents? Check out the Pacific Ventures. Pacific Community Ventures invests in people and communities. Small business advice is free. Get advice here.

Square for Shop and Retail Owners - Ready to do pick-up or delivery for your retail shop? Thanks to Stephen Jordan of Sakura Sakura for this. Check out Square if you are on their POS or service. Read the article here.

The Paycheck Protection Program(PPP) update...

For Union Bank Customers in the community: As of last Thursday, Greg spoke with Jerry Ono and he said they over 30 applications manually till their on-line system is ready to go. Please go to our Union Bank branch(10a-4p) to submit your application for PPP loan. Remember, only so many people are allowed in the bank at one time, so waiting times may be longer than usual. As of 1a, PPP online links were not available on the Union Bank website.

For CB&T Customers in the community: California Bank & Trust's preparation checklist for the Paycheck Protection Act. It is a bit more detailed than Union Bank's list. Check it out. As of yesterday afternoon, they are accepting applications. Here is the link to where you can apply.

Version-LISC Small Business Recovery Grant Application
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
Please go to: https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/ to start the application process. Information is available in: Japanese / Korean

San Francisco Hardship Emergency Loan Program (SF HELP) 
Rapidly deployed loans up to $50,000 at 0% interest. Funds can be used to pay payroll, rent, utilities, inventory and more. 
You can read more information and apply here

Salesforce to issue $10 grants to hundreds of small businesses
Salesforce plans to distribute 500 COVID-19 recovery grants to small businesses across the U.S, with each grant offering $10,000 in support to cover such costs as salaries and replenishing materials.

Applications for the Salesforce Care Small Business Grants will become available in the next week or two and represent a total commitment of $5 million from Salesforce.
 

COVID-19 Resources for
Employers and Employees

The JCBD staff has compiled a list of resources for employers and employees during COVID-19 and have translated it in Japanese and Korean languages. We’ll continue to update the lists as new information comes in. Please read through so that you and your employees are up-to-date on information that can assist you during these difficult times.

Resources for Employers During COVID-19 
English / Japanese / Korean

Resources for Employees During COVID-19 
English / Japanese / Korean
 

Promoting the Essential Businesses on Social Media
We are trying to help the small businesses that are open during the shelter in place by creating social media posts to promote a product or special menu item. Please email us a high resolution photo along with your business logo, product/menu item price.

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