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This is the 15th business update from San Jose Downtown Association since the end of the COVID "tier" system June 15. They are usually sent on Thursdays.
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To our members: 

This summer we have seen just about every weekend downtown filled with special events -- a positive sign of the old normal reestablishing itself as the new normal.  That continues again this weekend with a number of indoor and outdoor events attracting people into and through downtown -- and hopefully into your businesses.

Besides the reliable Every Friday, South First Fridays, and Friday Farmers’ Market, the Jubilee Wellness Festival and Lil’ Easy Backyard Party at Poor House Bistro will be downtown Saturday, a new live performance, “Coded,” opens up at City Lights Theatre Co. this weekend (Yay!), and Sunday is the annual Viva Calle event where six miles of streets are closed off to vehicles and opened up to bicyclists, runners, skateboarders and walkers.

These days, it’s best to stay in the present, but we can’t help but get excited about what’s to come in the near future:  The Beyond Van Gogh Exhibit (opens Sept. 24); Sharks games at SAP Center with audiences (pre-season begins Sept. 28); The Great Leap at The Stage (Yay, too!, Sept. 29); Spartans home games at CEFCU Stadium (Oct. 2); three weeks of Hamilton (starting Oct. 12) at Broadway San Jose; and the return of the Sonic Runway.

It’s great to see and feel the energy of DTSJ on the weekends.  With performances, games and exhibits occurring mid-week -- and the continued migration of our office workers back to their offices -- we may soon see business picking up on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as well.  
In Today's Message
EID Loan cap quadruples to $2 million

There’s some big news out of the U.S. Small Business Association this week.  As of Sept. 8, new COVID EIDL policy changes have taken effect that entail the below updates to the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program for small business owners, including agricultural businesses, and nonprofit organizations:

  • Maximum loan cap increased from $500,000 to $2 million
  • Use of funds was expanded to include payment and pre-payment of business non-federal debt incurred at any time (past or future) and payment of federal debt
  • Extend the deferment period to 24 months from origination for all loans (existing loans with a less than 24-month deferment will be adjusted)
  • Affiliation requirements simplified to an affiliate is a business that you control or in which you have 50% of more ownership
  • Developed additional path to meet program size standards for businesses assigned a NAICS code beginning with 61, 71, 72, 213, 3121, 315, 448, 451, 481, 485, 487, 511, 512, 515, 532, or 812
  • Exclusivity Period: From September 8, 2021 to October 8, 2021, the above policy changes will be applicable to applications for <$500K while applications for >$500K will not be approved and therefore receive the policy changes until October 8, 2021
  • See more details on the COVID-19 September 8, 2021 Policy Changes.

Details and application

The restaurant industry is all over the quadrupling of loan amounts and the ability for businesses to reapply for a higher amount than already received. Here’s coverage from RestaurantDive.com.

And to download the accompanying graphics below, go here.

CA Relief Grants for Arts nonprofits extended to Sept. 30
Round 8 for California Relief Grants for Arts and Culture Nonprofits has been extended until Thursday, Sept. 30. 

According to the California Arts Council, about $16 million remains under the Nonprofit Cultural Institutions Program. Eligible nonprofit cultural institutions must complete a new application even if they already applied in Rounds 1, 2, 5, or 6. If funds are not spent, they go back to the general budget and the state loses them for arts and culture recovery. Apply or visit the California Relief Grant website to learn more. 
City Update

New upgraded WIFI coming soon to DTSJ
Word from City Hall this week is that a new free and fast WIFI service is about to be unleashed.  Word is that the pretesting phase is completed and the service is strong and stable.

This is the third attempt by the city to have a reliable downtown-wide WIFI service going back 10 years or more.  This time Library Service is taking the lead.  We’ll post the official announcement of the launch and the coverage map on our social media and provide an update in our Weekly Message to Businesses when we have more info.

Proof of Vaccination Required at Events in City Facilities

From the City’s Flash Report for this week:  As of Monday, Sept. 20, operators or hosts of large indoor events at city-owned facilities with more than 50 guests shall require all attendees age 12 and older and all staff to show proof of full vaccination before entering the facility. This does not apply to customary public services such as public meetings, library programs, or other essential services. More info can be found at Vaccination Requirements for Events. The uncodified urgency ordinance passed by the City Council Aug. 24 is here.

The ordinance applies to qualifying events at the following locations:
  • City Hall
  • City-owned libraries
  • City-owned community centers
  • SAP Center at San Jose
  • Solar 4 America Ice at San Jose
  • San Jose McEnery Convention Center
  • California Theatre
  • San Jose Civic
  • Montgomery Theater
  • Center for the Performing Arts
  • Fourth Street Summit Center
  • School of Arts and Culture at the Mexican Heritage Plaza
  • San Jose History Park
  • San Jose Museum of Art
  • Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose
  • The Tech Interactive

El Grito de Independencia Vaccine Event Today: A vaccine event today (Sept. 16), in conjunction with the raising of the Mexico flag to celebrate Mexico’s independence, will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. on the Plaza in front of City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara St.  No appointment is needed, and the vaccines are free, safe and effective.

More clinic dates and locations can be found at www.sccfreevax.org.  Please check in at least an hour before the closure each day. Appointments to be tested for COVID for free can be made at www.sccfreetest.org.
SJDA Virtual Job Board

It was a big week of new listings on the SJDA Job Board, with job openings coming in from SAP Center, MINIBOSS, Punch King Fitness, and the Beyond Van Gogh Exhibit, among others.  

SJDA will help get the message out about your job openings.  Complete this form with your business information and open positions and SJDA will post the opportunities weekly on sjdowntown.com/downtown-jobs/, publicizing the message to our 25,000 social media followers on Facebook and Twitter.
Events

Make the Downtown Farmers’ Market part of your Friday routine
The weekly San Jose Downtown Farmers’ Market is back Friday at 10 a.m. on South First Street between San Salvador and William streets in SoFA District.  The weather will be great this week, a good reason to make Market visits part of your Friday routine. Also, the best pickings of fresh fruits and vegetables by California growers is happening right now.

The Market will return every Friday through Dec. 17, with the exception of the day after Thanksgiving. 

The Poor House Bistro Presents the 8th Annual Lil' Easy Backyard Party - Tickets
Downtown/Silicon Valley in the News
Recent media reports involving Downtown San Jose/Silicon Valley:
COVID-19 Links
Newer Links:
Let us know how else we can help your business by replying to this email. We’ll have another message next Thursday.
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