LATEST NEWS (updated Aug. 3rd)
Latest News on COVID Relief Programs
SBA Accepting New Applications for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster LoansOn June 15, SBA resumed accepting new Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications from all qualified small businesses, including agricultural businesses, and non-profit organizations. Eligible small businesses, private non-profits and agricultural businesses may apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan here.
For more information about the EIDL, and to speak to the SBA directly, the SBA Disaster Recovery number is 1-800-659-2955, and the email address is disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Or visit the SBA Website: https://www.sba.gov/page/disaster-loan-applications
Applied for EIDL, but haven’t heard back?
If you applied for an EIDL after March 29th, 2020, and have not yet been contacted by the SBA, you can submit a status inquiry via the Economic Development Collaborative. Please email your full name, EIDL application number (begins with a 3) with “SBA EIDL Loan Status Unknown” in the subject line to info@edcollaborative.com.
Applied for EIDL, but were denied?
If you applied for an EIDL and were denied, you have up to six months to reapply. You can reapply for consideration by first emailing pdcrecons@sba.gov with your full name and application number.
Streamlined Form for PPP Forgiveness Available
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has just released a streamlined form for applying for forgiveness with your Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) lender. You are eligible to fill out the EZ Forgiveness Application . Gusto (a small business resource website) has produced a handy cheat-sheet to assist with filling in your PPP Loan Forgiveness Application. Click here for more information.
California’s New Grant Portal
The State of California launched the California Grants Portal, a project by the California State Library to create a one-stop-shop to find all grants and loans offered on a competitive or first-come basis by California state agencies!! The site lists grants for businesses, individuals, nonprofits, tribal entities and public agencies. Check it out today!
City of Ventura Offers One-Stop Shop for COVID-Related Print Materials
The City of Ventura has launched a webpage that contains print and digital Coronavirus COVID-19 design resources from local, state, and national agencies. This toolkit includes social media graphics and printed materials available for for free to download.
WCDC Launches the Westside Thrives COVIDeo Series to Promote Avenue-Area Businesses
The WCDC has partnered with ArtSci Ventura to create the Westside Thrives COVIDeo Series. The purpose of the series is to promote Avenue-area business that have been able to open and to learn how they have adapted their business practices to meet the challenge of the COVID-19 outbreak. It is FREE to participate. Click here to find out more.
DOES YOUR BUSINESS NEED ASSISTANCE?
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COLLABORATIVE
The EDC is offering free one-on-one business advising in English and Spanish, financing, the latest updates on COVID relief opportunities and strategies, a weekly webinar series.
EDC COVID INFO WEBPAGE • EDC COVID-19 RESOURCES GUIDE • GUÍA DE RESPUESTA EMPRESARIAL COVID-19
WOMEN’S ECONOMIC VENTURES (WEV) 
WEV offers business development training, loans and consulting support, in English & Spanish, to Ventura and Santa Barbara county businesses.
WEV COVID-19 RESOURCES WEBPAGE • WEV QUICK LOANS • WEV PRESTAMOS de RESPUESTA RAPIDA
WEV Línea de Respuesta a COVID-19 en español 805-908-0096 (ingles 805-456-2342)
Si eres dueño de negocio localizado en los condados de Santa Bárbara o Ventura y necesitas ayuda, por favor llama a la Línea de Respuesta de para dejar un mensaje. Un personal de WEV te regresara la llamada en español dentro de 24 horas. El numero para la Línea de Respuesta en español es 805-908-0096 (en inglés 805-456-2342).
SCORE BUSINESS MENTORING
For over 50 years, SCORE has served as America’s premier source of free business mentoring, workshops and education. SCORE offers the COVID-19 BUSINESS RESOURCE GUIDE
CITY OF VENTURA COVID-19 RESOURCE WEBPAGE
Resources include city, county & state updates, utilities assistance updates, meal services, etc.
RECORDED AUDIO & VIDEO RESOURCES *these will be updated soon – hard to keep up!
WEV WORKS WEBINARS
Mira En Español* Estragtegias Para Generar Ventas y Promover Tu Marca en Línea (May 29) 
Watch Question Everything: Proactively Responding to a New Business Environment (May 27)
Watch Answering ALL Your PPP Questions (May 20)
Mira En Español* Estragtegias Para Generar Ventas y Promover Tu Marca en Línea (May 19)
Watch Evaluating Options & Protecting My Assets – Should I Close or Reorganize My Business? (May 13)
Mira En Español* Actualización del Acto CARES (May 1)
Watch Increase Your Revenue With E-Commerce (April 29)
Watch Maximize Your Online Presence (April 22)
Watch 3 Ways to Create An Online Business Quickly (April 15)
Watch Focus on Financials (April 8th) Practical Steps to Eliminate Money Anxiety During COVID-19
Watch COVID-19 and the Law for Small Businesses (April 1)
EDC WEBINARS
Watch Guidance for Renters & Landlords During COVID-19 (July 29)
Watch Mitigating Risks & Return-to-Work Strategies (July 15)
Watch Managing Options: Business Closure or Restructure (May 29)
Watch How To Manage Federal Funding – PPP & EIDL (May 13)
Watch Navigating Local, State and Federal Resources Available Through The CARES Act (April 29)
Mira En Español* Recursos para pequeñas empresas durante COVID-19 (April 23)
COVID-19 Teleconference Town Halls
State Senator Hanna Beth Jackson, Assembly member Monique Limón, and Congressman Salud Carbajal have been hosting valuable teleconference town halls. See the list below for topics areas and links to recordings.
Listen Taking Care of Your Mental Health (April 29)
Listen COVID-19 Updates and Next Steps (April 22)
Listen Support for Older Adults, Families and Caregivers (April 8)
Listen Small Business Resources (April 1)
RESOURCES FOR ARTISTS
LISTS OF EMERGENCY FUNDING RESOURCES FOR ARTISTS
Creative Capital – Extensive info on emergency grant opportunities and other resources.
Americans for the Arts – Extensive list of emergency grant opportunities for a variety of disciplines.
WomenArts – Extensive list for emergency funding
MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund – Relief for lost income due to the cancellation of scheduled gigs or performances due to Coronavirus/COVID-19 precautionary measures.
INFORMATION RESOURCES FOR ARTISTS
National Endowment for the Arts – List of emergency grants and resources for artists and arts organizations.
CA Lawyers for the Arts – providing legal aid on a sliding scale for artists in need
Freelancers & Community Resources 2020 – Crowdsourced list of self care guides and remote work opportunities.
COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources – A collaborative list of regularly updated resources for freelancers, including emergency funding and general resources and preparation.
Teaching Artists Guild – Resources for teaching Artists