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SIMI VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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  • Home
  • About the Chamber
    • About the Chamber
    • Chamber History
    • Chamber Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Membership Benefits >
      • Membership Benefits
      • Advertising Opportunities
      • Ribbon Cuttings
    • Member Login
    • Membership Application
    • Chamber News
    • Contact Us >
      • Send us a message
    • Blog
  • Programs & Committees
    • Ambassadors
    • Economic Development Committee >
      • Business Resources
    • Emerging Leaders
    • Leadership Simi Valley >
      • LeadershipAlumni
    • Legislative Advocacy Forum >
      • Partnerships, Alliances and Resources
      • Legislative Newsletters
      • Employment Law Posters
      • Legislative Position Updates
      • Legislative Contacts
      • Policy Platform
      • Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
    • Restaurant of the Week
    • Retailer of the Week
    • Senior Services Alliance
    • Travel with the Chamber
  • Business Directory
    • Business Directory
    • The Guide - Simi Valley
    • Coupons
  • Events
    • Boomers and Beyond
    • Chamber Calendar
    • Community Calendar
    • Simi Valley Job Fair >
      • Job Fair Employers
    • Networking Opportunities
    • Salute to Excellence
    • Shredding and E-Waste
    • Simi Valley Street Fair
  • Visit Simi Valley
    • Film Simi Valley
  • Simi Works Job Center
  • Restaurants

Business Recovery Task Force is Fighting to Protect Business in Simi Valley

8/12/2020

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The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce, the City of Simi Valley, and the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce have joined together to partner with Ventura County District 4 Supervisor Bob Huber's office in the Business Recovery Task Force. The Task Force was formed in late May 2020 and meets weekly to discuss areas of greatest need for business, and to determine the best course of action to help these businesses. Since its inception, the Task Force has made thousands of outreach calls to businesses in Simi Valley and Moorpark to hear the concerns and challenges they are facing and to collect information that can be provided to elected officials. 
 
At the August 5 meeting, members of the State Delegation including Assembly Member Christy Smith, a district representative for Assembly Member Jacqui Irwin, and a district representative for Senator Henry Stern joined in the meeting to learn about issues facing businesses in their districts. The Task Force shared stories about local businesses who have been forced to close or move outdoors, the impact that these closures have had on the local economy, and discussed the state metrics for a County to be on the watch list. The Task Force members pushed to reopen businesses by asking the state delegation to approach the Governor regarding the metrics that place a county on the "watch list," which has required additional industries to either close their business or move outdoors.

At the August 12 meeting, representatives from the Federal Government, including staff members from the offices of Senator Dianne Feinstein, Congresswoman Julia Brownley, and Congressman Mike Garcia, as well as staff from the United States Chamber of Commerce, attended the Task Force meeting to learn more about local business struggles. The Task Force shared examples of our local businesses, and stressed the importance of additional federal funding desperately needed to keep our businesses open. With legislation being proposed in Congress regarding additional relief, the Task Force further emphasized the need to expand and re-fund the PPP and SBA programs. 
 
The Task Force will continue to meet, outreach to local businesses, and fight to provide businesses with the resources and funds they need to reopen and stay open.
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City Allows for Temporary Outdoor Business Expansion for Businesses No Longer Allowed to Operate Indoor by State or County Directive

7/27/2020

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The City is offering a Temporary Outdoor Business Expansion Permit (TUP - COVID19-B) to assist businesses that have been impacted by Governor Newsom’s July 13, 2020 order, which mandates the closure of indoor operations of many businesses. This permit will allow businesses to move outdoors into public spaces and other areas to accommodate business operations at pre-COVID-19 levels effective July 23, 2020. The following business sectors are eligible to apply for a Temporary Outdoor Business Expansion Permit:

• Gyms and Fitness Centers
• Places of Worship
• Indoor Protests
• Personal Care Services (including nail salons, and massage parlors
• Hair Salons and Barbershops
• Restaurants (allowed under previous order)
• Malls

Outdoor areas may include sidewalks, parking lots, and unused patio areas. The allowable number of parking spaces to be utilized for outdoor areas will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Businesses that apply for a Temporary Outdoor Business Expansion Permit must be registered at www.vcreopens.com, in compliance with the County of Ventura Health Officer’s Order, the State’s Industry Sector guidelines, the County of Ventura Environmental Health regulations if applicable, and California’s Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) guidelines if applicable. The permit application can be downloaded from the City’s website at www.simivalley.org/covid19. Businesses can also call the Planning Division for assistance at (805) 583-6769.

For more information regarding COVID-19, please visit https://covid19.ca.gov/.
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Update from Dr. Jason Peplinski, Superintendent of the Simi Valley Unified School District to Kick-Of Chamber’s Community Connections Virtual Speaker Series

7/20/2020

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July 20, 2020, Simi Valley, CA – The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce is excited to launch the Community Connections
2020 Speaker Series on Thursday, July 30th with an update from Dr. Jason Peplinski, Superintendent of Simi Valley Unified School District.

Dr. Peplinski will provide an update to students, parents and community members on the Simi Valley Unified School District’s  plan for the 2020 School Year in light of COVID-19.

“With all of  the changes that have happened as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we want the community to hear decision makers first hand on how they are moving forward,” said Kathi Van Etten, President/CEO of the Simi Valley Chamber. “An update from Dr. Peplinski about the upcoming Simi Valley school year is incredibly relevant as it impacts a sizeable part of our population.”

This update is the first in a series designed to connect community leaders with community members to provide the most up to date information on areas and topics that impact Simi Valley.

This virtual event will be on Thursday, July 30th  from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Registration is required to attend this free event. Interested individuals can register HERE
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Governor Newsom Issues Order Requiring Additional Sectors to Cease Indoor Operations

7/13/2020

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In a press conference on Monday July 13th, Governor Newsom issued an order mandating additional industry closures throughout the State. 

Effective July 13, 2020, ALL counties must close indoor operations in these sectors:

  • Dine-in restaurants
  • Wineries and tasting rooms
  • Movie theaters 
  • Family entertainment centers (for example: bowling alleys, miniature golf, batting cages and arcades)
  • Zoos and museums
  • Cardrooms

Additionally, bars, brewpubs, breweries, and pubs must close all operations both indoor and outdoor statewide.
Counties that have remained on the County Monitoring List for 3 consecutive days are required to shut down the following industries unless they can be modified to operate outside or by pick-up. This order applies to Ventura County.
  • Fitness centers
  • Worship services
  • Protests
  • Offices for non-essential sectors
  • Personal care services, like nail salons, body waxing and tattoo parlors
  • Hair salons and barbershops
  • Malls

The Ventura County Public Health Officer may release guidance related to this order with additional restrictions. The most restrictive order issued must be followed by businesses.

​Contact the Chamber if you have any questions at 805-526-3900.
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Face Coverings Required in Public Spaces

6/25/2020

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Starting June 18, Californians must wear face coverings in common and public indoor spaces and outdoors when distancing is not possible.

The California Department of Public Health issued updated guidance regarding this order from the State of California. The guidance outlines situations when people in California must wear face coverings, including:
  • Inside of, or in line to enter, any indoor public space
  • Obtaining services from the healthcare sector in settings included, but not limited to, a hospital, pharmacy, medical clinic, laboratory, physician or dental office, veterinary clinic, or blood bank
  • Waiting for or riding on public transportation or paratransit or while in a taxi, private car service, or ride-sharing vehicle
  • Engaged in work, whether at the workpalce or performing work off-site, when:
  • interacting in-person with any member of the public
  • working in a space visited by members of the public, regardless of whether anyone from the public is present at the time
  • working in any space where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution to others
  • working in or walking through common areas, such as hallways, stairways, elevators, and parking facilities
  • in any room or enclosed area where other people (except for members of the person's own household or residence) are present when unable to physically distance
  • While outdoors in public space when maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet from persons who are not members of the same household or residence is not feasible

The following individuals are exempt from wearing a face covering:
  • Persons age two years of under. These very young children must not wear a face covering because of the risk of suffocation.
  • Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a face covering. This includes persons with a medical condition for whom wearing a face covering could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance.
  • Persons who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
  • Persons for whom wearing a face covering would create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines.
  • Persons who are obtaining a service involving the nose or face for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service.
  • Persons who are seated at a restaurant or other establishment that offers food or beverage service, while they are eating or drinking, provided that they are able to maintain a distance of at least six feet away from persons who are not members of the same household or residence.
  • Persons who are engaged in outdoor work or recreation such as swimming, walking, hiking, bicycling, or running, when alone or with household members, and when they are able to maintain a distance of at least six feet from others.
  • Persons who are incarcerated. Prisons and jails, as part of their mitigation plans, will have specific guidance on the wearing of face coverings or masks for both inmates and staff.

For the full guidance, click here
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5 Reasons to Join a Business Mastermind Group like Business Builders

6/24/2020

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Business Builders, a program of the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce, is a business mastermind group open to all members of the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce. The group meets twice monthly, on the first and third Thursday, at 8:00 AM. For more information, contact Amy Corneau.

​There are many reasons to join a business mastermind group like Business Builders, but here are our top 5:

1. Advice: There is nothing like good advice from people who share your struggles and experiences. Whether you're new to entrepreneurship, or have been running your own show for many years, sometimes you just need advice on managing stress, prioritizing tasks, balancing work and family life, how to clear up a misunderstanding with a client or how to drive new sales.

2. Motivation: What gets you going? Seeing and hearing about creative new approaches and the success of other people who are also entreprenrus be a huge motivator. Support and encouragement from people who know what you are going through can help you get in gear to move on to the next challenge.

3. Direction: Where do you see yourself in one, three or five years from now? Your mastermind community can help you set a goal and map your path to get there. As entrepreneurs, we set our own priorities and schedule. That can be, as they say, a blessing and a curse. Having accountability to your mastermind group can unlock, unblock and unstick you.

4. Coaching: It can be really hard for an entrepreneur to ask for help and coaching. After all, we are supposed to have all the answers, right? Masterminds can be a wonderfully sneaky way for entrepreneurs to get the coaching they need in the form of brainstorming. Like-minded individuals who have gone through similar struggles can offer sold answers to help you navigate the challenges more effectively, and get through the tough times strategically.

5. Support: It's lonely at the top, and as an entrepreneur, you may have begun to feel that more keenly than most. Dionne Warwick may have said it best in her song: "That's What Friends Are For." Masterminds are designed to develop strong support teams for you during the tough times, and often they develop into lifetime friendships.

If any of these reasons speak to you and your business, please join us for a meeting to learn more and see what Business Builders has to offer!

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Recognition for Excellence in Business Advocacy, Helping Members Comply with Labor Laws

6/24/2020

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The California Chamber of Commerce has named the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce as one of the recipients of the 2020 President’s Circle Award. 

​The award, first presented in 2009, recognizes chambers for excellence in business advocacy and helping their members comply with California employment laws.
 The Simi Valley Chamber has received this award every year since 2012. 

Normally, the chambers would have been honored and the awards presented during the CalCham
ber Capitol Summit in Sacramento. With the cancellation of the Summit due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the award recipients were announced during the weekly local chamber legislative conference call. 

President’s Circle Award recipients published vote records of their state legislators on key business issues, generated letters to state elected officials on issues of interest to members and participated in the 
CalChamber compliance product resale program at an exemplary level. 

“We are 
grateful to be awarded the 2020 President’s Circle Award from the California Chamber of Commerce,” said Kathi Van Etten, President & CEO. “It’s truly a testament to the work we do each day to advocate for businesses in Simi Valley.”  

The Simi Valley Cha
mber of Commerce is a business organization with a mission to promote a strong business community. For more information, call 805-526-3900.


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U.S. Chamber Awards Simi Valley Chamber with 5-Star Accreditation

6/24/2020

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The United States Chamber of Commerce, at its board meeting in March 2020, awarded the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce with 5-Star Accreditation for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community.

“Accreditation validates a chamber as having programs that benefit its local economy and positively influence its community,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, U.S. Chamber vice president of Federation Relations and Institute for Organization Management. “We applaud these organizations for advancing the principles of free enterprise.”

Accreditation is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their effective organizational procedures and community involvement. In order to receive Accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs, and technology. This extensive self-review can take 6 – 9 months to complete.

“We are so proud to receive this 5-star distinction for the third time,” said Kathi Van Etten, President & CEO of the Simi Valley Chamber. “This truly is a testament to the hard work of our Board of Directors and staff to move business forward in Simi Valley.”

Local chambers are rated Accredited, 3-Stars, 4-Stars, or 5-Stars. The final determination is made by the Accrditing Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce represents over 600 businesses in Simi Valley and the surrounding areas. The mission of the Simi Valley Chamber is to promote a strong business community. For more information on the Simi Valley Chamber, contact their office at 805-526-3900.

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Ventura County Public Health Department issues guidance for reopening additional sectors

6/18/2020

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​Ventura County Public Health Department issues guidance for reopening additional sectors
Personal Services, Movies, Wedding Ceremonies permitted with restrictions
 
VENTURA, CA – As Ventura County’s hospitalized COVD-19 cases have stabilized, the Ventura County Public Health Officer has issued new guidance permitting the reopening of additional businesses that were previously closed. Sectors that may reopen with modifications, social distancing protocols, and completion of the attestation process include, but are not limited to:
 
  • Personal Services: Nail salons, massage, skin care and cosmetology services, electrolysis, body art, tattoo parlors and piercing shops
  1. Can open June 19, 2020.
  2. Facial massages, waxing, tattoos, makeup, piercings or electrolysis services may be performed so long as they can be done without the removal of the client’s mask.
  3. There is a 30-minute limitation on procedures and massages conducted in confined spaces.
  4. Personal services are required to follow the state guidance at https://covid19.ca.gov/pdf/expanded-personal-services.pdf.
 
  • Movie Theaters
  1. Must follow the state guidance https://covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-family-entertainment.pdf.
  2. Can open June 26, 2020.
 
  • Wedding Ceremonies
1) Outdoor wedding ceremonies may be performed with up to 100 persons present who can be safely physically distanced or a lesser number up to what the venue can safely support.
2) Indoor wedding ceremonies with 25% capacity or up to 100 people, whichever is less.
3) No reception or party permitted.
 
These sectors may be open only while adhering to social distancing protocols provided by the Governor and the Health Officer and after completing the County’s attestation process at www.vcreopens.com.
  • Masks: The State of California announced today that face coverings are required in indoor public spaces, unless exempted by state guidelines for specific public settings (e.g., schools or childcare centers). Cloth face coverings or masks help reduce the spread of coronavirus especially when combined with physical distancing and frequent hand washing. Starting June 18, all people in California, including those in Ventura County, must wear face coverings in public indoor spaces and outdoors when six-foot distancing is not possible. Learn more about the state issued guidance and limited exceptions here.
 
For more information about COVID-19 and the local response, visit www.venturacountyrecovers.org.  
 
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Ventura County Business Assistance Grant Program Releases Criteria for Awards

6/17/2020

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The County of Ventura has launched its Business Assistance Grant Program to provide relief for small businesses and nonprofit organizations from the impacts of COVID-19.

The Business Assistance Grant Program includes grants of $5,000 each for small businesses to alleviate impacts from COVID-19 for allowed uses such as payroll support, lease and rent payments, costs for personal protective equipment, purchases related to the operation of their businesses, and extraordinary business expenses for adhering to compliance protocols for reopening. 

Business Assistance Grants will be $5,000 awards to 1,000 recipients and will be available to those small businesses that meet the following criteria: 
  • The business or nonprofit organization maintains a business license in Ventura County
  • The business or nonprofit organization was in business on, or before, May 17, 2020
  • In 2019, the business or nonprofit organization had total annual gross revenue between $25,000 and $2 million
  • The business or nonprofit organization has registered with www.vcreopens.com if eligible
  • The nonprofit organization is exempt from tax under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) per an IRS determination letter
The Ventura County Community Foundation will oversee the COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program with the coordination of a special oversight committee.

Business owners can apply for the grant at www.vcreopens.com from June 24 to July 8, 2020. 
​
The County has also released its Rental Assistance Program, which may provide temporary rental assistance for Ventura County residents who owe past-due rent becuase of a hardship due to COVID-19. Priority will be given to eligible applicants with an annual household income of less than 50% area median income, followed by 80% AMI. The application process opens online at www.ventura.org/rent on June 17, 2020. Applications must be fully completed by July 1, 2020, including  submission of information requested from each applicant's landlord to support the appliction. If more eligible households apply than total funding can support, a computerized lottery system will be used to fund eligible households at random.

Those who qualify could potentially receive rental assistance in the amount of $1,500 for a studio/1 bedroom and $2,500 for a 2 bedroom or larger, with a maximum of two months of rent owed. While the funding may not fully cover monthly rent, it will assist in reducing the amounts owed. Payments will be made directly to landlords.

The rental program is federally funded by the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and prioritizes rental assistance for those with very low incomes who have been unable to pay rent due to the impacts of COVID-19. 
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40 W. Cochran St, Suite 100  | Simi Valley, CA 93065​ 
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