resources for jack london merchants

Jack London Improvement District works with other Oakland business groups and the City to identify and share resources for small businesses. We will send out updates about support for Oakland small businesses as they become available. We have linked to current resources and information below.

Want to be the first to know about local business resources as they become available? rachel@jacklondonoakland.org to be added to our Merchant Newsletter.

Thank you in advance for your support. 

Archived merchant newsletters

Here you will find past updates to our merchant community for up-to-date info & programs to assist your business:

External Resources

Economic Development Department

The Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce

Oakland Business Assistance Center

SPUR (San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association)

East Bay Small Business Development Center

Commercial Real Estate Listings

Recycle Where? The goal of RecycleWhere is to reduce waste by providing accurate information about recycling, reuse, and proper disposal options for residents and businesses without regard to traditional municipal boundaries.

Reopening resources

Flex Streets Initiative

The City of Oakland has developed the Flex Streets Initiative to allow businesses to use portions of the sidewalk and street space adjacent to their business to comply with physical distance guidance and support economic recovery. The City is waiving fees and streamlining the permitting process. Application requirements are here, and the one-page application is posted here. Learn more at: www.oaklandca.gov/resources/business-use-of-streets-and-sidewalks-initiative

Fire Department Guidelines for Outdoor Operations

Clarification on ABC Regulations by License Type

Expedited white curb requests for businesses, apply on the 311 webpage or dial 311.

Signage

Download a special Jack London “Mask Required” Sign to post at your business.

Mask Required for Entry Posters from Alameda County Public Health Department

SBA Updates

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

Recent Changes Make it Easier for Small Businesses, Sole Proprietors to Access PPP Loans

In order to reach the smallest businesses, the SBA is providing an exclusive application period for businesses and nonprofits with 20 or less employees and sole proprietors through Wednesday, March 10, 2021 to apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. This will give lenders and community partners more time to work with the smallest businesses to submit their applications, while also ensuring that larger PPP-eligible businesses will still have plenty of time to apply for and receive support before the program expires on March 31, 2021. SBA will forgive loans if all employee retention criteria are met, and the funds are used for eligible expenses.

President Biden also announced additional program changes to make access to PPP loans more equitable. Ask your banking partner if they are participating in the PPP program. If they are not participating, then connect with a lender using SBA’s Lender Match tool or one on this roster of participating local lenders.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

According to the SBA’s website, the SBA will resume processing EIDL Loan and Advance applications that are already in the queue on a first come, first-serve basis.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)

As part of the CARES Act, the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program will help unemployed Californians who are business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, have limited work history, and others who may not be eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits. The Employment Development Department (EDD) started accepting online applications on April 28th, 2020.

If you have not yet applied, please do so today through a participating lender. If you’ve been turned down by one lender, please reach out to another participating lender today. 

Use the SBA’s find-a-lender tool at www.sba.gov/paycheckprotection/find
Check out this roster of local partners or Call the Business Assistance Center at (510) 238-7398.

Need Assistance navigating the Payroll Protection Program? Reach out to one of these local support partners.

covid-19 Resources

Oakland Business Assistance Center has resources for Oakland businesses, nonprofits and workers to Plan, Prepare and Respond to COVID-19. Subscribe to the COVID-19 Business Updates & Oakland Economy Now newsletter for the most up-to-date resources from the City of Oakland.

The Oakland Chamber of Commerce has created this spreadsheet for businesses that will be updated daily with necessary information and resources relative to COVID-19.

State of California ABC’s COVID-19 adjusted guidelines

The Oakland Indie Alliance is currently working on tailored resources and marketing for small business members and is free to join. If you're a small business in need of a website or digital support, check out this list of free skilled volunteers available.

State Shop Safe Shop Local Campaign & Resources

Help from Berkeley Law Information about the CARES Act and matching small business owners with Berkeley Law students who will help them navigate the CARES Act.

Social Media Communication Tips for COVID-19 from Visit Oakland.

Leverage the "Spend. Stay. Love." partner toolkit to promote your business during the holidays and beyond! Visit Oakland has created an easy-to-use toolkit for all Oakland businesses to use the logo, imagery and tag lines to send the same message to their customers. For any further help, questions or information, please email the Visit Oakland Marketing Team at marketing@visitoakland.com.

Keep Sharing Deals, Outdoor Activities and Virtual Events with Visit Oakland. Please continue to share information about any of the following for promotion on Visit Oakland’s website or social media by emailing partnerships@visitoakland.com.  

  • Discount or value deals

  • Online performances

  • Outdoor hikes/bike rides/lake clean-ups

  • Self-guided tours

  • Private tours

  • Virtual cooking and tastings

  • Social media live events