The Contra Costa County Rapid Response Team provides customized, confidential and convenient outplacement services to companies experiencing major layoffs. These services are provided to your affected employees through the EASTBAY Works partners, and are at no cost to you or your employees. Through our on-site presentations, we can let your employees know about services available at our career centers, and from other agencies and organizations in the community.

EASTBAY Works One Stop Career Centers connect people with opportunities for employment. Staff there can help job seekers with career planning, job training and transition solutions to re-enter the workforce. Benefits include:

o Academic and vocational assessment
o Job search resources: internet, fax, telephones, photocopier
o Job search workshops
o Employer on-site recruitments
o Computer workshops
o Links to training and funding sources
o Trained staff to assist job seekers in transition
o Referrals to other services in the community

An Employment Development Department representative is part of our team and walks employees through the process of obtaining unemployment insurance. Information is also available on the California Training Benefit, the regional labor market, CalJOBS and Veterans' Services.

A variety of other organizations can join our team based on your need. Additional information about EASTBAY Works and our partners can be found at www.eastbayworks.com.

If individuals are moving out of the area, One Stop Career Center locations throughout California and the nation can be found at www.servicelocator.org by simply entering a zip code or city.

For additional resources for businesses, click here.

If your small business is stressed meeting expenses during these economic times, the U.S. Small Business Administration has a new loan program designed just for you.

SBA’s America’s Recovery Capital Loan Program can provide up to $35,000 in short-term relief for viable small businesses facing immediate financial hardship to help ride out the current uncertain economic times and return to profitability.  Each small business is limited to one ARC loan and must meet eligibility criteria.

ARC loans will be offered by some SBA lenders for as long as funding is available or until September 30, 2010, whichever comes first.  Click here to go to the SBA site and complete information.

The City of San Pablo Sign Reimbursement Program has been developed to protect the visual quality of the City, to protect Commercial Districts from visual clutter, and to facilitate the public’s ability to identify uses and premises without confusion. 

To meet these goals, the City is prepared to  provide financial assistance to businesses owners for signs.  This program works on a reimbursement basis. Under this program the City will reimburse business owners up to 50 percent or $2,500, whichever is less, of the cost for new signs. Click here for more information.

The City of San Pablo offers micro-loans up to $50,000 as a tool to promote the retention and attraction of businesses that may lack the necessary funding for capital improvement, equipment, technology upgrades, and façade improvement.

Program Description
In 2003 the City Council allocated funding for a local economic development program consisting of micro-loans to encourage local investment. Currently, the funding is paired with a contract with the West Contra Costa Business Development Center to provide technical assistance to prospective businesses interested in pursuing micro-loans.

Eligibility
The micro-loan program is available for any commercially located business. Preference is given to existing businesses in a commercial location along one of the many major streets in San Pablo such as San Pablo Avenue, 23rd Street, Market Avenue, Rumrill Boulevard and San Pablo Dam Road. Businesses looking for funding are required to go through a training program, and thereby may become eligible for a loan from the City of San Pablo. Applicants are expected to complete the training program, devise a business plan, and put forth a formal request for funds. Funding is derived through the Redevelopment Agency of San Pablo.

Terms
Most of the loans done under this program are a ten year amortized loan with a low interest rate of 5-6%, depending on the circumstances of the borrower. Collateral such as a single family home or other property is needed to secure the loan against default. During the ten year payback period, the borrower can prepay with no penalty.

For More Information call: West Contra Costa Business Development Center at 510-223-9900.

Resources: www.bizplans.com

In a building that was once occupied by The Tigress bar, Francisco Flores purchased the space and converted it into La Guarecita Market. A borrowed amount of $45,000 from the micro-loan program was combined with $60,000 of the owners own capital to completely re-work the space, complete plumbing and electrical upgrades to initiate the business, and to create full-time employee positions. La Guarecita opened its doors in early 2004, and continues to serve as a business offering an array of specialty grocery items, foods, beverages, and other meats.

In addition, this building is part of the 23rd Street façade improvement grant program that the City has implemented in order to invigorate and balance the streetscape along 23rd Street. Mr. Flores was also given a façade improvement grant of $60,000 to complete the project pictured here:

Before	After

Opened in early 2004, Jones’ BBQ is located in Plaza Sobrante and offers a selection of smoked meats, fish, and chicken, salads and breads to a San Pablo and West County customer base.

Before its opening, Steve secured personal funds to go towards leasing, design and layout, business planning, marketing, and other operational costs. Additionally, Jones BBQ qualified to receive $20,000 of micro-loan funds to complete a build-out, and to purchase food preparation equipment.

Up to date, Steve has paid back the loan in full, and may consider additional funds for expansion.

Rumrill Foods is the latest project with interest in the micro-loan program. What used to be a local grocery and liquor store, the owner has embarked on a one-half million dollar expansion and renovation of his business to include a Laundromat and a new warehouse. In addition, the project includes a mixed-use component with a complete apartment unit constructed on a second story to generate additional income. Additionally, the Redevelopment Agency sold a portion of the adjacent land to the owner to make way for additional parking.

Mohamed’s worthwhile investment in business upgrades and expansion allowed him to secure $50,000 of funds through the micro-loan program. The funding was used to complete construction on the buildings and parking lot, and to make façade improvements. $50,000 is the maximum borrowing amount, and was given to the owner in two payments given that the acquisition of the parking lot took place after the start of construction.

Front View	Looking North