Archive for the ‘Business’ Category

Newsom, Oregon and Washington governors announce western states pact for reopening economies

Monday, April 13th, 2020

States agree region will move toward reopening based on health outcomes

Gov. Newsom. Photo: Office of the California Governor.

SACRAMENTO (April 13, 2020) — Today, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Oregon Governor Kate Brown and Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced an agreement on a shared vision for reopening their economies and controlling COVID-19 into the future.

Joint statement from the Governors:

“COVID-19 has preyed upon our interconnectedness. In the coming weeks, the West Coast will flip the script on COVID-19 – with our states acting in close coordination and collaboration to ensure the virus can never spread wildly in our communities.

We are announcing that California, Oregon and Washington have agreed to work together on a shared approach for reopening our economies – one that identifies clear indicators for communities to restart public life and business.

While each state is building a state-specific plan, our states have agreed to the following principles as we build out a West Coast framework:

Our residents’ health comes first. As home to one in six Americans and gateway to the rest of the world, the West Coast has an outsized stake in controlling and ultimately defeating COVID-19.

Health outcomes and science – not politics – will guide these decisions. Modifications to our states’ stay at home orders must be made based off our understanding of the total health impacts of COVID-19, including: the direct impact of the disease on our communities; the health impact of measures introduced to control the spread in communities —particularly felt by those already experiencing social disadvantage prior to COVID-19; and our health care systems’ ability to ensure care for those who may become sick with COVID-19 and other conditions. This effort will be guided by data. We need to see a decline in the rate of spread of the virus before large-scale reopening, and we will be working in coordination to identify the best metrics to guide this.

Our states will only be effective by working together. Each state will work with its local leaders and communities within its borders to understand what’s happening on the ground and adhere to our agreed upon approach.

Through quick and decisive action, each of our states has made significant progress in flattening the curve and slowing the spread of COVID-19 among the broader public. Now, our public health leaders will focus on four goals that will be critical for controlling the virus in the future.

  • Protecting vulnerable populations at risk for severe disease if infected. This includes a concerted effort to prevent and fight outbreaks in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
  • Ensuring an ability to care for those who may become sick with COVID-19 and other conditions. This will require adequate hospital surge capacity and supplies of personal protective equipment.
  • Mitigating the non-direct COVID-19 health impacts, particularly on disadvantaged communities.
  • Protecting the general public by ensuring any successful lifting of interventions includes the development of a system for testing, tracking and isolating. The states will work together to share best practices.

COVID-19 doesn’t follow state or national boundaries. It will take every level of government, working together, and a full picture of what’s happening on the ground.

In the coming days the governors, their staff and health officials will continue conversations about this regional pact to recovery.”

Maya Cinemas in Pittsburg offers popcorn and concession zero-contact pickup program

Monday, April 13th, 2020

By Greg Heckmann, Creative Marketing Consultant, Maya Cinemas

Maya Cinemas is keeping the fresh popcorn popping while its guests are at home watching movies on the small screen. This is a way for Maya to stay connected to its movie going community. The first week of the program was incredibly well received and orders were beyond all expectations.

Maya Cinemas launched a new program on April 8th where customers can purchase a 2-gallon resealable bag of popcorn and 2 movie size candies for $12. $2 add-ons to this package are available with a full list on the website.

The program is available every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Orders can be called in between 9am and 3pm with zero-contact pickup at the theater between 2pm and 5pm. Pickups are assigned in 15-minute increments to ensure safe distancing between guests. All payments must be completed over the phone to ensure safe pickup, so no cash payments accepted.

All info including order phone numbers, candy available and more at https://www.mayacinemas.com/popcorn-pickup

Maya Cinemas in Pittsburg is located at 4085 Century Blvd.

Get your tickets now at mayacinemas.com, you can also signup for weekly email showtimes!  

Maya Cinemas was chartered in 2001 with a mission to develop, build, own and operate modern, first-run, megaplex movie theaters in underserved, family oriented, Latino-dominant communities. Maya offers first-run Hollywood movies in high-end cinemas focused on quality of design and state-of-the-art presentation technologies while keeping a keen focus on superior customer service.

Disaster response jobs for U.S. Small Business Administration’s relief efforts

Thursday, April 9th, 2020

The SBA is hiring temporary employees to assist with disaster relief efforts. Bilingual language skills a plus. Must be a U.S. citizen.

Join our team! The SBA is hiring additional employees to assist with disaster relief efforts. Bilingual language skills are a plus. Remote jobs are available nationwide.

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, SBA is hiring for a number of positions.

Call Center Customer Service Representative (CSR)

Customer Service Representatives are needed with backgrounds in finance, credit, banking, accounting, and mortgage lending.  Students of business/finance may also apply. Strong computer skills are a must.  Texas notaries with experience closing loans, legal documents, etc. are also desired. Spanish speaking is a plus.

Disaster Recovery Specialist (Supersedes previous announcement, EXC-20-054-CSC-10752837, to amend duty location)
GS-0301-07/09; Full time (Temp)
Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA); Customer Service Center; Duty Station Negotiable.
Open to United States Citizens

Document Preparation/Legal Review/ Loan Closings

Attorneys/Paralegals are needed to review and close SBA Disaster Loans. Real Estate experience is a plus. Individuals waiting on bar results may apply. Attorneys must present a current bar card, but may be licensed in any state.

Paralegal Specialist
GS-0950-09/11; Full time (Temp)
Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA); Processing Disbursement Center (PDC); Fort Worth, TX;
Open to United States Citizens

Attorney Advisor (Gen)
(Supersedes previous announcement, EXC-20-057-PDC-10755112, to amend duty location)
GS-0301-09/11; Full time (Temp)
Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA); Processing and Disbursement Center (PDC); Duty Station Negotiable.
Open to United States Citizens

Legal Assistant
GS-0986-06/07; Full time (Temp)
Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA); Processing Disbursement Center (PDC); Fort Worth, TX;
Open to United States Citizens

Loan Processing/Credit Analysis/Mortgage Underwriting

Credit Analysts, Loan Officers, and Mortgage Underwriters are needed with experience evaluating financial information; determining creditworthiness and repayment ability; and making loan decisions (or recommendations) based on overall financial condition.

Loan Specialist (Commercial) – Virtual
GS-1165-12; Full time (Temp)
Office of Capital Access (OCA); Virtual.
Open to United States Citizens

Loan Specialist (Commercial) – Virtual
GS-1165-12; Full time (Temp)
Office of Capital Access (OCA); Virtual.
Open to United States Citizens

Loan Specialist (Commercial)
GS-1165-09; Full time (Temp)
Office of Capital Access (OCA); Various Duty Stations.
Open to United States Citizens

Loan Specialist (Commercial)
GS-1165-09; Full time (Temp)
Office of Capital Access (OCA); Various Duty Stations.
Open to United States Citizens

Loan Processing Assistant
GS-1101-07; Full time (Temp)
Office of Capital Access (OCA); Various Duty Stations.
Open to United States Citizens

Loan Servicing Assistant
GS-1101-07; Full time (Temp)
Office of Capital Access (OCA); Various Duty Stations.
Open to United States Citizens

Supervisory Loan Specialist (Commerical)
GS-1165-13; Full time (Temp)
Office of Capital Access (OCA); Various Duty Stations.
Open to United States Citizens

Supervisory Loan Specialist (Commerical)
GS-1165-13; Full time (Temp)
Office of Capital Access (OCA); Various Duty Stations.
Open to United States Citizens

Loan Specialist (Gen) (Supersedes previous announcement, EXC-20-065-PDC-10753859, to amend duty location)
GS-0301-09/11; Full time (Temp)
Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA); Processing and Disbursement Center (PDC); Duty Station Negotiable.
Open to United States Citizens

Loan Assistant
GS-1165-05/07; Full time (Temp)
Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA); Processing Disbursement Center (PDC); Fort Worth, TX;
Open to United States Citizens

Program Support

Program Support Assistant
GS-0301-05/06/07; Full time (Temp)
Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA); Processing and Disbursement Center (PDC); Fort Worth, TX.
Open to United States Citizens

Walmart offering special senior shopping on Tuesdays one hour before store opens

Friday, April 3rd, 2020

By Dacona Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Walmart U.S.

Our associates have been nothing short of heroic in their commitment to serve customers, stock shelves as quickly as possible and keep their stores clean. When their communities needed them the most, our people have been at their best. Their efforts continue to be a tremendous source of pride for everyone at Walmart.

Over the weekend we adjusted our operating hours to help make it easier for associates to stock and perform enhanced cleaning and sanitizing.

Store Operating Hours

Walmart U.S. stores will adjust operating hours to 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Stores that open later than 7 a.m. will continue their regular starting hours. This will further help associates restock the shelves for customers while continuing to clean and sanitize the store. While the store hours change for customers, our associates will continue to have access to their regular scheduled shifts and full hours.

Special Shopping Hours

We know our older customers could be more vulnerable to the coronavirus and to better support them, Walmart is offering special shopping hours. From March 24 through April 28, Walmart stores will host an hour-long senior shopping event every Tuesday for customers aged 60 and older. This will start one hour before the store opens. Our Pharmacies and Vision Centers will also be open during this time.

Item Limitations

We know communities are counting on us more than ever and we are determined to serve the broadest number of customers and ensure they have access to the key items they are looking for. Our stores will have limits for customers in certain categories including paper products, milk, eggs, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, water, diapers, wipes, formula and baby food.

Essential Services

  • Our people are working hard to have every part of the store ready to serve customers. To help support our people and focus on the most critical areas of the store right now, we will temporarily shut down our Auto Care Centers to allow those associates to focus on stocking and cleaning in the rest of the store.
  • Also, our Vision Centers will operate on their normal schedule, providing essential services only such as glasses repair and helping customers pick up existing orders. We will have at least one associate to serve the needs of our Vision Care customers, while the other associates will help in the rest of the store.

I think every one of us has had to adjust our daily routines in some way, and it’s likely that could continue. We are paying very close attention to our stores and communities and will continue making the necessary changes to help make sure our associates are taken care of and that our customers can get what they need. Let’s all take care of each other out there.

Gov. Newsom signs Executive Order providing relief to California small businesses

Tuesday, March 31st, 2020

Order provides 90-day extension in state and local taxes, including sales tax; extends licensing deadlines and requirements for a number of industries

SACRAMENTO – On Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order that will provide tax, regulatory and licensing extensions for businesses.

The executive order allows the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) to offer a 90-day extension for tax returns and tax payments for all businesses filing a return for less than $1 million in taxes. That means small businesses will have until the end of July to file their first-quarter returns.

Additionally, the order extends the statute of limitations to file a claim for refund by 60 days to accommodate tax and fee payers.

The executive order also includes extensions that impact state government workers, as well as consumers. For instance, the Department of Motor Vehicles will limit in-person transactions for the next 60 days, allowing instead for mail-in renewals. Additionally, the Department of Consumer Affairs will waive continuing education requirements for several professions, also for the next 60 days.

Further, the order will extend the Office of Administrative Law’s deadlines to review regular department proposed regulations. The order also extends by 60 days the time period to complete investigation of public safety officers based on allegations of misconduct. Finally, deadlines for trainings, investigations, and adverse actions for state workers will also be extended.

A copy of the Governor’s executive order can be found here, and the text of the order can be found here.

For the latest on the state’s COVID-19 response, visit covid19.ca.gov.

Bellhops online service hiring thousands of contractors to meet needs of Americans still moving during this challenging time

Thursday, March 26th, 2020

Earn on Average $21 an Hour; Service Features Include Instant Online Booking, Adjustable Schedules and Straightforward Pricing, for Both Local and National Moves

The Company is Also Providing Financial Assistance to Qualifying Bellhops Movers and Drivers Diagnosed with COVID-19 or Placed in Individual Quarantine by a Public Health Authority or Medical Professional

(Chattanooga, TN) – March 25, 2020 – Moving is something we all do and at times cannot be avoided, even when faced with a worldwide pandemic like COVID-19. Bellhops, an online service for moving, is committed to keep coordinating moves for those in need and is currently looking to add thousands of movers and drivers to their platform across the country. The company, which organizes moving services in over 65 markets, is also providing financial assistance to certain existing Bellhops movers and drivers that are diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed in individual quarantine by a public health authority or medical professional. A full list of Bellhops markets can be viewed at GetBellhops.com/locations/.

Moving is already stressful, but with our current health crisis, now more than ever customers need top-notch customer service and a quick and easy solution for obtaining on-demand movers. With its unique technology and booking experience and on-demand moving partners, Bellhops helps to create a moving experience that is more efficient, affordable and reliable than those found with traditional moving companies. Bellhops also provides a photo with star-rating of movers to each customer 24 hours prior to the move.

“Americans are still having to move. Whether it’s due to the end of a lease or they are renting or purchasing a new home, they need help,” said Luke Marklin, CEO of Bellhops. “As an essential service, Bellhops is working tirelessly to ensure those who need to move have the assistance they need. This also means we have work opportunities for those impacted by layoffs and pay cuts.”

Bellhops moving professionals earn on average $21 an hour, including tips and bonuses, and professional drivers can earn over $40 an hour per move. They get paid weekly and movers receive extra compensation for referrals. To find jobs, local movers simply enter their schedule in the Bellhops mobile app and get matched with customers who need help moving. Those interested in providing moving or driving services on the Bellhops platform can apply at: GetBellhops.com/being-a-bellhop/.

“At a time when companies coast to coast are making the difficult decision to lay off workers, we are proud to be adding more moving and driving partners in our markets,” continued Marklin. “As Bellhops continues its rapid growth, we foresee the need to bring on even more moving and driving partners to meet demand and offer work opportunities during this difficult crisis.”

For anyone that has already booked a move via Bellhops and is worried about how COVID-19 may impact their plans, they can get more information at GetBellhops.com/help/faq/.

For more info on the support Bellhops is offering movers and drivers on their platform visit: bit.ly/2wyyPqn.

With over 200,000 moves booked through Bellhops and an average star rating of 4.8, unheard of in the industry, Bellhops is bringing Americans a better way to move. In 2019, Bellhops service providers carried and transported over 4.6 million boxes, totaling 72 million pounds. Bellhops service providers also logged more than 375,000 miles, including one of the longest moves ever conducted by a Bellhops service provider from Hartford to Seattle. In total, Bellhops service providers spent more than 480,000 hours helping Americans get settled into their new lives.
About Bellhops

In 2011, Bellhops started as a simple solution for college students looking for help moving into dorms. Today, with the experience of having arranged hundreds of thousands of moves, Bellhops now helps to provide moving solutions for customers in more than 60 cities nationwide. By pairing AI technology with best-in-class customer service, Bellhops is transforming the dated $18B moving industry, creating flexible work opportunities and changing the way Americans move from place to place.

For more information, please visit GetBellhops.com/

To apply to be a mover: GetBellhops.com/being-a-bellhop/

To apply to be a driver: GetBellhops.com/drive-for-bellhops/

Business Resources & Informational Links

Tuesday, March 24th, 2020

 

From City of Antioch

Non-Governmental Resources

State of California Information on COVID-19

Public Health Information

Shelter in Place Order

Contra Costa Public Health (3/16/20)

Employer & Employee Resources

Small Business Development Centers: For one-on-one advising and online workshops

Workforce Development Board – EDD Rapid Response program (PDF) part of America’s Job Center Contra Costa SBDC closest location for Antioch businesses below:

Concord America`s Job Center of California

*Service are provided by appointment only. Staff is working remotely.

Last updated:03/18/2020

Address: 4071 Port Chicago Highway, Suite 250 Concord, CA 94520

Phone: 925-671-4500
Hours: M-F 8:30am-5pm
Email: admin@contracostasbdc.org

  • For questions, employers may call the EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center:
  • Toll-free from the U.S. or Canada: 1-888-745-3886
  • Hearing impaired (TTY): 1-800-547-9565

Other Regional Resources

Resources for Manufacturers

National

Loans & Financial Assistance

Restaurants can now sell alcoholic beverages to go during shelter in place

Monday, March 23rd, 2020

By Allen Payton

To help restaurants remain in business, on Thursday, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) issued a notice of regulatory relief for restaurants so they can now sell alcoholic beverages to go. The “regulatory relief is designed to support the alcoholic beverage industry in its efforts to assist California in slowing the spread of the virus while assisting the industry in dealing with the economic challenges it is facing as a result.”

The notice on the ABC’s website includes the following:

“In addition to selling manufacturer pre-packaged containers…, bona fide eating places (i.e., restaurants) selling beer, wine, and pre-mixed drinks or cocktails for consumption off the licensed premises may do so when sold in conjunction with meals prepared for pick-up or delivery. Any such alcoholic beverages must be packaged in a container with a secure lid or cap and in a manner designed to prevent consumption without removal of the lid or cap (e.g., no lids with sipping holes or openings for straws). Further, any licensee selling such beverages for off-sale consumption shall prominently post the following warning in a manner that puts consumers on notice of limitations regarding open container laws:

Alcoholic beverages that are packaged by this establishment are open containers and may not be transported in a motor vehicle except in the vehicle’s trunk; or, if there is no trunk, the container may be kept in some other area of the vehicle that is not normally occupied by the driver or passengers (which does not include a utility compartment or glove compartment (Vehicle Code Section 23225)). Further, such beverages may not be consumed in public or in any other area where open containers are prohibited by law.

‘Post’ means to prominently display on the premises, post online, or present in whatever manner is necessary to ensure that the consumer purchasing, or delivery person transporting, such beverages is given notice of this warning.

Pursuant to the Constitution of the State of California, Article XX, Section 22, and in furtherance of Governor Newsom’s emergency declarations and orders regarding the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is temporarily suspending enforcement of specific legal prohibitions.

The Department has carefully considered the public’s health, safety, and welfare in providing this relief, and the Department has concluded that none of these measures, exercised on a temporary basis, will jeopardize the public’s health, safety, or welfare. In lieu of individual requests for relief submitted to the Department, the temporary relief from the regulatory requirements set forth in this notice are applicable to all affected Department licensees and will continue until further notice.”

See the list of open restaurants and other businesses in Antioch at www.antiochherald.com/open-businesses.