SACRAMENTO – California Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a series of new resources to aid small businesses and help California workers who have lost work due to COVID-19. California's small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis can apply for a loan from the federal government for up to $10 million. Importantly, the program is first-come, first-serve and the Governor encourages all eligible California small businesses to contact their lender to learn more.
Last week, the Governor also announced that the state is allocating $50 million to the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank for loan guarantees to small businesses to help eliminate barriers to capital for individuals who do not qualify for federal funds, including low wealth and undocumented immigrant communities. The state is also allowing small businesses to defer payment of sales and use taxes of up to $50,000, for up to 12 months.
Additionally, the Governor joined Bitwise Industries and the Kapor Center to launch OnwardCa.org, a new platform connecting displaced California workers with more than 70,000 job opportunities in critical industries.
“California is fortunate to be a state of innovation where companies like Bitwise are meeting this moment to help people affected by this crisis,” said Governor Newsom. “I applaud Bitwise’s effort through OnwardCa.org to quickly match displaced California workers with job opportunities.”
The new platform, powered by Salesforce and Shift3 Technologies is a one-stop resource providing support to Californians impacted by job loss in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Displaced workers looking for help can:
- Get connected to emergency resources
- Get connected to training programs to upskill for a new career
- Get matched with employers looking for people with their current skillset
The website brings together all of the resources, organizations, and direction Californians need to navigate life during the COVID-19 state of emergency.
“California has been deeply impacted by the pandemic. Individuals have lost jobs, are unable to access necessities and don’t know where to go for help,” said Jake Soberal, CEO and co-founder, Bitwise Industries. “This is the time to act and Bitwise saw an opportunity to serve our community by bringing together the resources people need most into one place. With the help of the Governor’s team and multiple other critical partners, we created a centralized online source of information to help workers suffering from job loss amidst COVID-19 get back on their feet.”
“As one of the first communities in California to experience the Shelter in Place ordinance, we immediately saw how this virus affected people’s lives, especially small business owners and workers,” remarked Freada Kapor Klein, Co-Chair, Kapor Center. “We’ve always supported and mobilized entrepreneurs, focusing on those whose lived experience helps them solve real problems in their communities. Our support of OnwardCA is meant to get the gears of the economy going again.”
The platform connects people to funds and necessities such as groceries, shelter or medicine. It will also provide connections to start retraining for a new career and work opportunities for people in-demand skills. By providing these different connections, Californians can get back to work and know that despite the social distancing, they are not alone.
Earlier this week, Governor Newsom signed an executive order to help small businesses, granting a 90-day extension for small businesses to pay sales taxes.
Governor Newsom also today announced $17.8 million in new state initiatives to support California workers impacted by COVID-19. The allocation will come from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds with $7.8 million going to the Los Angeles region and $10 million made available statewide.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is having cascading effects for millions of California families and small businesses,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “Through no fault of their own, more than a million Californians have lost a job and countless more are seeing their businesses fail. California will emerge from this crisis stronger than before, and until then, the state will work overtime with the federal government and private sector to get families the help they need.
For more information, go to covid-19.ca.gov.
