In this month's issue of Small Business News: February 2009

  1. News & Events
    • Mayor Newsom announces $23 million in no-interest business loans
  2. Small Business Commission Report
  3. Small Business Assistance Center Update
  4. Shop Local SF
  5. City Programs Highlighted
    • Street Artist Program
    • Alemany Farmers' Market
    • San Francisco Energy Watch
  6. Workshops and Technical Assistance

1. News & Events

Mayor Newsom continues to champion small businesses as he announces a No-Interest Business Loan Program as part of his local economic stimulus plan.  Mayor Newsom will also make desperately needed credit directly available to businesses in San Francisco though two separate programs.

  • In the next 30 days Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) will issue an RFP for community-based lending institution to administer a revolving small business loan fund. The City will seed the fund with $800,000 in existing Federal funds from HUD. These small and micro loans will be for $5,000 - $50,000 and offered to qualified small businesses.
  • The City will make available to qualified businesses and enterprises $23 million in no-interest loans. These funds also come from HUD funds and available for this type of program.

It will take 30-60 days to establish criteria to administer these loans.  Fill out this form indicating interest in the business loan program.  SBAC will notify you once the program launches.

 

Business Registration Renewal & Payroll Tax Statement: Payment and filing deadline for ALL businesses is March 2, 2009.  San Francisco businesses with a taxable payroll of less than $66,666.34 are not required to file a separate Payroll Tax Statement and may renew their registration online.  FAQ's

 

Commuter Benefits Program: Effective January 19, 2009, San Francisco employers that have 20 or more employees are required to offer a commuter benefits program to encourage employees to use public transit or vanpools.  Employees save by using pre-tax dollars for their commute expenses. Employers receive the advantage of reduced payroll taxes. Commuter Benefits Hotline: (415) 355-3727

Labor Law Updates: The minimum wage rate is adjusted every January 1st for inflation and will be $9.79 starting January 1st, 2009. The Health Care Security Ordinance's (HSCO's) new expenditure rate for employers with 20 to 99 employees is $1.23 per hour; for employers with 100 or more employees, the rate is $1.85 per hour.

Prop Q exemption for small business: The small business exemption will increase from $167,000 to $250,000 of annual payroll.  That is, businesses whose payroll expenses is $250,000 or less would be exempt from the payroll tax.  Proposition Q takes effect on January 1, 2009, and does not apply to the 2008 tax year or prior years.

 

2. Small Business Commission

January Report: The Commissioners elected a new SBC President, Richard Ventura, and Vice President, Irene Yee Riley.  Stop by the next SBC meeting to meet the new electees and  welcome new SBC Commissioner, Kathleen Dooley. Commissioner bios.

February Report

Board of Supervisor President David Chiu Addresses Small Business Commission

Not long ago before he was elected President of the Board of Supervisors, David Chiu was a Small Business Commissioner.  At February's meeting, President Chiu addressed the SBC listing small-business-friendly items to advance before the Board of Supervisors.  Here are three issues:

  1. Streamlining the regulatory process that affects small businesses.  President Chiu's first legislative item was for a hearing before the Economic Development Committee to address this issue.
  2. A review of the procurement process to facilitate San Francisco businesses access to City and County contracts.
  3. A tax reform to incentivize small business job growth.

Review past SBC meetings on SFGTV

The NEXT SBC Meeting is on Monday, March 9, 2009. The SBC meets on the 2nd Monday of the month at 5:30 in room 400 of City Hall. 

 

3. Small Business Assistance Center - 1,356 Customers Served!

Customer service continues to be a top priority of the Small Business Assistance Center. 

The SBAC provides one-to-one case management with licenses and permits, financial resources, and suggestions on the fastest and most cost-effective means to navigate the City departments.  Bi-lingual case managers are available Monday to Friday from 8AM - 5PM.

Internship and Volunteer Program
The OSB and SBAC is happy to support the development of future civil servants and policy makers by accepting high school and undergraduate summer interns and graduate-level school-year interns.

City Hall, Room 110
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, 94102
415-554-6134 (center)
415-558-7844 (fax)
415-554-6181 (en Espanol)
415-554-6489 ()

 

4. Shop Local SF

Shop Local SF is an Office of Small Business campaign encouraging visitors and residents to spend dollars locally as they do their part to help sustain the San Francisco economy.  When you shop local, you invest in your community, in your neighbors, and in yourselves.  In the current economic climate, the best return on investment is in local business.  It is estimated that for every dollar spent, twice as much will be reinvested in the community by a local store than by a national store.  Check http://shoplocalsf.org/ for upcoming events.

 

5. City Program Highlights

  • Arts Commission - Street Artists Program
  • Real Estate Division - Alemany Farmers' Market
  • Department of Environment - SF Energy Watch

The Street Artists Program licenses artists and crafts persons to sell their handmade products on public sidewalk vending spaces designated by the Board of Supervisors. There are approximately 350 spaces, located largely in the downtown and Fisherman's Wharf areas. No sales representatives or manufactured merchandise are allowed.

To apply, submit an application accompanied by a $20 nonrefundable application fee. Schedule an appearance before a screening committee, which meets the last Thursday of each month, to verify your handcraft work.

 

 

For more information, call 415-252-2581. http://www.sfartscommission.org/

Alemany Farmers' Market: Spring is around the corner, which makes now a good time to set up at a local farmer's market to showcase your wares. 

The fees and process to have a vendor stand at the farmer's market are as follows:

  1. You will obtain a 10 x 12 size area to post your stand
  2. The cost is $45 for the space 
  3. You are only allowed to sell old collectibles, vintage goods. Nothing new is allowed. 
  4. The time is for both Saturday and Sunday from 5AM to 5PM 
  5. Please bring a driver's license and Seller's Permit.

 

More more information, contact
Manager: Gloria-Lucas Davis
Phone: (415) 647-9423
Email:  Gloria.L.Davis@sfgov.org

 

 

The San Francisco Energy Watch program promotes the installation of energy-efficient equipment in businesses and multifamily properties located in San Francisco. The program provides financial incentives that can lower the costs of the installation. Participants can save energy and money while reducing their impact on the environment.

 

For more information call the
SF Energy Watch hotline at
415-355-3769.

 

6. Workshop and Technical Assistance Resources

Are you a little rusty with your business bookkeeping or want an extra set of eyes and ears to review your marketing plan. Check out SBA classes.

Small Business Administration February - March Classes - the SBA offers a variety of classes for business owners in their Entrepreneur Center, located at 455 Market St., 6th Floor in downtown San Francisco. For more information, please contact Gary Marshall at (415) 744 6771 or  gary.marshall@sba.gov

 

Comments, Suggestions, or Questions?
Do you have any comments, suggestions, complaints, or questions about our newsletter or anything else small business related?  Email us at  sbac@sfgov.org or call the office at 415-554-6134.

 

 

 

Small Business Assistance Center
City Hall, Room 110, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, 94102
Monday through Friday, 8AM to 5PM. Phone at 415-554-6134
website: http://www.sfgov.org/sbac