Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom allowed curbside retail, and the manufacturing and logistics sectors to open throughout the state. This week, the governor added more businesses to those who are allowed to reopen: car washes; pet grooming; landscape gardening; office-based business (telework remains strongly encouraged); childcare for those outside of the essential workforce; and outdoor museums, and open gallery spaces and other public spaces with modifications. Managing editor Tami Roleff says the county is launching a new program starting today to help businesses that reopen …
Starting today, the County will help local businesses reopen with its COVID-Compliant Business Partnership Program. The $30 million program will help businesses establish and promote a safe and prosperous environment for owners, employees, and customers, and provide $2500 in cash incentives to small businesses that pledge to require physical distancing, face coverings, and rigorous hygiene.
Business must be in San Bernardino County and have been in operations for a minimum of three years and have fewer than 100 employees. Priority will be given to businesses that have not received any federal or state assistance. For more information, see sbcounty.gov.
The County of San Bernardino is committed to rebuilding and sustaining a high quality of life for its residents and businesses.
To support our local small businesses and help ensure ongoing compliance with State and County Health orders and direction, San Bernardino County is implementing the COVID Compliant Business Partnership Program.
This program has two components.
- Funding of $2,500 for eligible Small Businesses with 1-100 employees
- Support and Partnership for ALL eligible County businesses who wish to become a COVID Compliant Business Partner
This program will support our local small businesses by reimbursing and/or offsetting costs and impacts directly related to complying with COVID-19 related business protocols and providing support to all eligible County businesses who apply for the program.
Prior to receiving funding, San Bernardino County small businesses must demonstrate compliance with State/County public health orders, and incorporate safety and social distancing practices and measures in their business operations.
Total funding available for this program is $30,000,000. Eligible businesses, per qualifying location, can receive up to $2,500. Deadline for Application: August 31, 2020
Businesses should perform a detailed risk assessment and implement a site-specific protection plan; limit workforces to essential personnel; ease into opening by limiting occupancy capacity and maintaining social distancing; follow strict cleaning and sanitation standards; train all employees on new procedures; offer transactions and services online and at curbside whenever feasible; and post signage with the new safety protocols for the public to read.
$30 Million In Small Business Funding to Be Available Through New San Bernardino County COVID-Compliant Business Partnership Program
In an effort to directly support local small businesses and help ensure ongoing compliance with State and County Health orders and direction, San Bernardino County is implementing a COVID-Compliant Business Partnership Program, which is set to launch on Thursday, May 14, 2020.
Small business owners in Twentynine Palms who are eligible and interested in joining this partnership program are urged to visit www.sbcounty.gov tomorrow morning to start their application process as soon as possible as funding will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.
Program Overview
This program is intended to support our local small businesses by reimbursing and/or offsetting costs and impacts directly related to complying with COVID protocols for business. Prior to receiving the allotted funding, small businesses must demonstrate a commitment to compliance with State/County public health orders and incorporate safety practices and measures in their business operations in San Bernardino County. The estimated cost for this program is $30,500,000 total, including an estimated $500,000 allocated for administrative expenses.
Benefits of Becoming a COVID-Compliant Business Partner
Businesses that meet requirements will:
-Collect up to $2,500 in funding from the County of San Bernardino to offset costs and impacts directly related to complying with COVID protocols for business
-Once it has been determined that a company is a COVID-Compliant Business Partner, they will be issued a “This Business Partner is COVID Compliant” window graphic to recognize the business for its commitment to public health and safety. This acknowledgement is encouraged to be prominently displayed for public view at the business location
-Gain exclusive access to receive PPE directly from the County at County cost
Eligible Businesses:
-Business must be in San Bernardino County in operations for a minimum of three (3) years and employing at least 1 employee but less than 100 employees in total under 1 (one) individual’s or group’s ownership. Business must be current on any property tax payments income tax must be current in the last two (2) years and have no outstanding code or land use violations.
-Priority will be given to businesses that have not received any federal and/or state assistance such as the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Ineligible Businesses:
-Businesses engaged in any illegal activity per local, state or federal regulations with federal regulations taking precedence over local or state regulations
-Race tracks, gambling facilities, or adult entertainment
-Financial, lending and investment institutions
-Insurance companies
-Home-based businesses
-Businesses with more than 100 FTE employees as of end of 2019
-Part-time employee = 0.5
-profit organizations
How County Businesses Can Ensure a Safe and Sustainable Reopening
With the limited re-opening of some Phase 2 businesses beginning last Friday, the County is looking to owners and managers of our businesses and facilities to establish safe reopening guidelines.
“All of our residents and business owners need to know that a successful reopening of our economy takes personal responsibility,” said Curt Hagman, chairman of the County of San Bernardino Board of Supervisors. “We must all act responsibly, whether we work in a store or look to visit one. We are asking all our residents to please respect safe distances and absolutely wear a face cover when indoors around other people. If we can support one another during this reopening, we can get through this that much sooner, and most importantly, safely.”
The County will greatly assist local businesses in achieving a safe and sustainable reopening on Thursday when we launch the COVID-Compliant Business Partnership Program. The program will help all businesses establish and promote a safe and prosperous environment for owners, employees, and customers, and provide cash incentives to small businesses that pledge to require physical distancing, face coverings, and rigorous hygiene. A website with details on the program and information on how to participate will be launched Thursday.
The San Bernardino County COVID Recovery Coalition, made up of various government, business, and organizational leaders from throughout the county, wants all workforces, starting with those in early Stage 2 businesses, to address the following areas of concern.
- Perform a detailed risk assessment and implement a site-specific protection plan. Every workforce is different, with unique characteristics and challenges. No one is in a better place to know how to conduct operations safely than the owner, managers and employees of an individual facility. Start by reviewing this linked guidance, https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/ for each early Stage 2 business, specific to California’s roadmap to reopening.
- Protect and support worker health and safety. Limit workforces to essential personnel and, whenever possible, ensure that vulnerable workers have alternative assignments. Supply and require use of face coverings and personal protective equipment. Develop policies that ensure employees stay at home when they are sick. Relocate break areas outdoors with physically distant seating.
- Ensure appropriate physical distancing. Ease into opening by limiting occupancy initially by 25% capacity in order to evaluate operational protocols. Use floor markings and manage traffic flow to ensure 6-foot distancing between individuals as much as possible. Request all patrons wear face covers at entrances and while indoors. Avoid congregating.
- Ensure proper infection control. Follow strict cleaning and sanitation standards, appropriate for your place of work or business. Establish operational procedures to frequently clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces.
- Train all employees on new procedures. All workers need to understand your site-specific protection plan. Consider use of temperature checking apparatus, but at the least, ensure employees know how to screen themselves for symptoms and stay home if they have them.
- Communicate with the public. Post clear signage to communicate your new safety protocols to visitors, including the requirement to wear a face covering when indoors and interacting with workers or strangers. Participants in the COVID-Compliant Business Partnership Program will receive signage from the County.
- Offer transactions and services online and at curbside whenever feasible. Accommodate curbside pick-up to keep vulnerable populations safe. Continue to encourage takeout and delivery service.
