JCBD’s Efforts During COVID-19
The Japantown Community Benefit District has been closely monitoring the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) since shelter in place took in effect on March 16, 2020. JCBD staff and Community Ambassadors began weekly communications with as many of our merchants/businesses and those who live and work in Japantown to not only listen to their concerns, but also to keep everyone informed of any updates from the City of San Francisco. The safety of our community and visitors is of utmost importance.
For Our Community
Recommendations to protect the health of vulnerable populations, and ensure that essential public services, such as schools and transportation, our City is taking steps to protect the public.
SF Department of Public Health Recommendations
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fact Sheet
Coronavirus FAQ
For Our Businesses
Supporting our small businesses and providing them with information and resources to maintain healthy practices is crucial. The San Francisco Office of Economic Workforce Development’s (OEWD) website contains valuable resources that can assist small businesses, including tax deferment.
The JCBD has created a resource page with a focus on information for our small businesses. We’ve collected helpful links and material produced by the Office of Economic & Workforce Development (OEWD). Please do take the time to read through and if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us.
Keeping Japantown Businesses Connected
Since the COVID-19 Shelter in Place order went into effect on March 16, the JCBD has kept our Japantown small businesses informed through our Keeping Japantown Businesses Connected email campaigns. If you’d like to join our mailing list, please email us at info@jtowncbd.org. You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram!
We’ve included the latest information from the City as well as programs/services that are available to them during these difficult times.
Here are links to past email newsletters:
Curfew Ends 6/5 @ 5am, Updated Health Order & Fire in Japantown 6/3/2020
Curfew Remains in Place / Japantown Neighborhood Mini Grant Awardees 6/3/2020
Curfew Update / 2nd Break-In Looting in Japantown 6/2/2020
City-Wide Mandatory Curfew 5/31/2020
Mayor London Breed announces the City to go under curfew 5/31/2020
Mayor Breed Announces Timeline and Plan for Reopening 5/29/2020
The Heart of Jtown Community Town Hall Meeting 5/28/2020
The Heart of Jtown Community Town Hall 5/27 @ 3pm TODAY!
Memorial Weekend Update 05/24/2020
The Heart of Jtown Town Hall Meeting 05/21/2020
TODAY Webinar for Curbside Pickup 05/21/2020
Businesses that have reopened for storefront/curbside service 05/19/2020
What Businesses Need to Have Ready for Monday Reopen 05/16/2020
Reopening of Businesses with Curbside/Storefront Pick up 05/14/2020
Health Department New Directives 05/12/2020
Mayor Breed Announces Next Steps for Reopening Businesses 05/07/2020
Shelter in Place Extended/COVID-19 Impact Survey Results 05/04/2020
Employee Retention Credit vs. PPP 05/04/2020
Shelter in Place Extended/COVID-19 Impact Survey Results 05/04/2020
Shelter in Place til end of May / Gov. Newsom Announces 4 Stages to Re-Open 04/30/2020
NEW - Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program 04/28/2020
Salesforce Career Small Business Grants Open Today 04/27/2020
COVID-19 Relief Package / Small Business Economic Vitality Mini Grant 04/24/2020
House Passes $484B COVID-19 Relief Package 04/23/2020
LISC Small Business Relief Grant 04/22/2020
Apply for Facebook Small Business Grant & Feature on Edible Excursion! 04/22/2020
Deferring Collection of Business Registration & License Fees 04/21/2020
Facing Covering Policy Tool Kit 04/18/2020
San Francisco Issues New Policy on Face Coverings 04/17/2020
Your Participation is Important - COVID-19 Survey 04/15/2020
Governor Newsom unveils 6 key indicators 04/15/2020
Entering the 5th Week of Shelter in Place 04/14/2020
2 More Businesses Added to Opened Essential Businesses 04/11/2020
Delivery Fee Cap to Support SF Restaurants 04/11/2020
Check-Ins with Essential Businesses 04/10/2020
SF Hardship Emergency Loan Program (SF Help) 04/06/2020
Reminder to Apply for Loan Programs and Grants Available 04/05/2020
Verizon-LISC Small Business Recovery Grant Application 04/04/2020
Important Loan Programs for Small Businesses 04/02/2020
Shelter in Place Updates! 03/31/2020
JapantownSF Small Business Group on Facebook 03/30/2020
Mayor Breed Extends Shelter in Place Order 03/30/2020
Safe Practices for Food & Beverage Workers 03/30/2020
Urgent: Sixth Supplement to Mayoral Proclamation 03/29/2020
Keeping Japantown Businesses Connected 03/26/2020
Keeping Japantown Businesses Connected 03/25/2020
The Great American Takeout 03/24/2020
Keep Your Customers Engaged 03/24/2020
Our Community Lives On! 03/23/2020
Notice from Recology 03/23/2020
Request Sales Tax Filing Extension 03/22/2020
Keeping Japantown Businesses Connected 03/21/2020
API Legal Outreach provides one-on-one assistance
to Japantown Small Businesses
We have been in contact with API Legal Outreach, a nonprofit organization that has been providing legal services to many API communities. Their staff is now available to assist our Japantown small businesses to help guide you through the various COVID-19 programs, services and loan programs.
Please call 1-415-567-6255 and leave a message requesting help in the language preferred. The information will be routed to staff with that language for assistance. Please do not forget to leave your name, business name and phone number.
We deeply appreciate API Legal Outreach for their assistance to help our Japantown small businesses through this difficult time.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Information for Small Businesses Employers & Employees
The JCBD collected helpful links and material produced by the Office of Economic & Workforce Development. We translated some of the materials so that our Japanese and Korean speaking businesses could read about the programs/services that are available.
Employers can reach out to the Office of Small Business, Assistance Center to share your concerns and learn more about existing programs that can assist you during this time. Use our Emergency Planning Checklist to make sure your business is ready for potential disruptions.
Office of Small Business, Assistance Center • 415-554-6134 • sfosb@sfgov.orgDeferred Business Taxes for Small Businesses
For businesses with up to $10M in gross receipts, the City is deferring payment of quarterly business taxes due April 30, 2020 nine months to February 2021 with no interest or penalties. This will provide immediate cash-flow assistance to 8,050 small businesses.Deferred Business Licensing Fee
The City is deferring collection of annual small business license and permit fees that make up the Unified License Bill for three months to June 30, 2020. This will support more than 10,000 businesses.
For more information about the deferral of business taxes or licensing fees, visit COVID-19 Tax and License Deferral or contact:Treasurer & Tax Collector • Dial 3-1-1 (Option 2 after selecting language)
COVID-19 Small Business Resiliency Fund
The City has established a fund administered by OEWD to offer emergency grants up to $10,000 for microbusinesses. Businesses must be able to show a recent loss in revenue.For more information, visit COVID-19 Small Business Resiliency Fund, or contact:
Judy Lee • 415-554-6607 • investSF@sfgov.org
COVID-19 Resources for Employers and Employees
The JCBD staff has compiled resources for employers and employees during COVID-19 and translated it in Japanese and Korean languages. We’ll continue to update these lists as new information comes in.
Please read through so that you and your employees are up-to-date on information that can assist you during these difficult times.
Resources for Employers During COVID-19
English / Japanese / Korean
Resources for Employees During COVID-19
English / Japanese / Korean