The California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program grants up to $25,000 to eligible small businesses. More information about eligibility requirements and the upcoming rounds can be found on their website.

Who Can Apply: Eligible nonprofit cultural institutions must complete a new application even if they already applied in Rounds 1,2, 5, or 6.; nonprofit cultural institutions that applied in Round 4 do not need to re-apply; grants will only be available to nonprofit cultural institutions that did not receive funding in any previous rounds.

Who Can Apply: New applicants and waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds. Applicants not selected to move forward in the review process in Rounds 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, or 7 do not need to re-apply and will be automatically moved into Round 9. New applicants will need to apply at CAReliefGrant.com

The Office of Economic Development's International Trade & Commerce Program will feature its final event in the free International Trade webinar series in partnership with Mission College Small Business Institute. Join us for the International Logistics webinar on Thursday, September 9 from 10-11am. We will be joined by international trade expert Dr. Raj Shea and Mission College Director of Business and Workforce Engagement Rob Gamble. The International Logistics webinar will focus on importing and exporting regulations and logistics, which are core components of bringing your business to the global stage. Registration is required - please click here to register for the September 9 event. We look forward to seeing you and please reach out with any questions about the International Trade & Commerce program.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Milpitas created a no-fee Temporary Outdoor Dining Registration Program to support local restaurants and provide opportunities for Milpitas residents and visitors to enjoy being out in the community. We were pleased to see many restaurants register with the City and set up safe outdoor dining areas for their customers on a temporary basis.

In July, the City extended the Outdoor Dining Registration Program through September 30, 2021. Participating restaurants must continue to comply with State and local safety regulations, as well as the City's Guidelines for Outdoor Dining, outlined in this letter. The Extended Outdoor Dining Registration Program will end on September 30, 2021.

The City intends to implement a new program in early 2022 to allow permanent outdoor dining. This new program will require changes to the City's Zoning Ordinance as well as input from the City Council and the community, so it will take a few months to develop. In the meantime, local restaurants that wish to continue outdoor dining operations after September 30th must submit a new registration form to the Milpitas Planning Department. The registration form is available at: www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/planningdepartment. Restaurants that do not submit the new form must stop outdoor dining operations and remove all temporary improvements after September 30, 2021.

Please read the full letter for more details on the application process and full list of local guidelines. If you have questions about the information in this letter, please call 408-586-3279 or email outdoor.dining@ci.milpitas.ca.gov. We appreciate the opportunity to work with you to extend outdoor dining options in Milpitas through September 30, 2021 and beyond.

In an effort to uplift the Asian American Pacific Islander small business community, the AAPISTRONG Proudly Unstoppable Fund provides grants of $5,000 each to 27 businesses across the country. Applications are due at 11:59pm on September 10 and winners will be notified by the week of September 27. More information about required paperwork, eligibility requirements, and the application link can be found on their website.

If you have any questions or need business assistance, please visit our website. Additionally, do not hesitate to contact the Office of Economic Development team by sending us an email. Assistance is available in English, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and other languages. The pandemic has created hardship for Milpitas families and businesses alike. Please know that we stand with you as you navigate your way out of the pandemic. We are here to help you!