small business

March 25, 2021

Congress extends deadline for PPP applicants to May 31, 2021

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Small businesses have an additional two months to apply

PPP applicants can go through the loan process with the following changes:

The PPP program is open through May 31, 2021 or until the new funding is exhausted.
If you are a 501(c)(6), a 501(c)(5), a local news media organization, or a housing cooperative you may be newly eligible for a loan.
You may qualify even if you took advantage of the Employee Retention Tax Credit.
If you are a publicly traded company, you are now prohibited from receiving a loan.
Group insurance payment can be included in your payroll costs when determining your maximum loan amount (see Step 3 in our original Guide).
If you are a seasonal employer, you have greater flexibility in picking the 12-week period between February 15, 2019 and February 15, 2020 used to determine your payroll costs and thus your maximum loan amount.

Small businesses have an additional two months to apply which may also open the door to apply for a second PPP loan if the first draw was recently received and not enough time passed between loans to apply for a second one. (Eight weeks must pass between the loans so there’s time to spend the money on payroll.)

More helpful resources are here:

Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans

Guide to PPP Forgiveness

For more info, visit the SBA website.

March 20, 2021

Blood Drive & Be The Match Bone Marrow Donor Registry At Lomita Farmers Market

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Children’s Hospital LA and Be The Match will be onsite at this Sunday’s Farmers Market

Be The Match bone marrow donor registry will be onsite on March 21st at the Lomita Farmers Market!

Be The Match is a nonprofit organization that’s mission is to help patients with blood cancers and blood illnesses find their stem cell or bone marrow match.

The registration is all done digitally and cheek swabs are available at live registry events, or if you feel more comfortable, you can order your cheek swab kit and have it mailed to you. If you’re unable to make it out to the drive this weekend, you can still register online just text 61474 with a message CHLA21 you can create your account and order a cheek swab.

When you join the Be The Match Registry^®, you become part of every patient’s search for a bone marrow donor. Thousands of patients with blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, sickle cell, and other life-threatening diseases need a bone marrow transplant. You could be the one to save a life. (Learn more here)

The blood drive for Children’s Hospital LA will be held from 9am to 3pm (registration required).

Meet other other local businesses and Chamber members at the Market.

And of course our farmers and food vendors featuring…

Veggies, Herb Plants, Berries, Eggs, Honey, Strawberries AND… Craft Beer, Fresh Breads, Vegan Pastries, Acai Bowls, Kettle Corn, Hummus, Tamales, Loose leaf tea… and some great home goods, succulent arrangements, jewelry, candles, clothing and accessories.

See you Sunday, March 21st 10am-2pm at Lomita Farmers Market (Lomita City Hall: 24300 Narbonne Ave, Lomita, CA 90717).

For more information and vendor application, please visit LomitaFarmersMarket.com

March 16, 2021

Second Draw PPP Loans ends March 31, 2021

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Second Draw PPP Loans – PPP ends March 31, 2021

The Paycheck Protection Program ends on March 31, 2021. All eligible entities can apply through a participating lender until then.
Second Draw PPP Loans can be used to help fund payroll costs, including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay for mortgage interest, rent, utilities, worker protection costs related to COVID-19, uninsured property damage costs caused by looting or vandalism during 2020, and certain supplier costs and expenses for operations.
Maximum loan amount and increased assistance for accommodation and food services businesses.
For most borrowers, the maximum loan amount of a Second Draw PPP Loan is 2.5x the average monthly 2019 or 2020 payroll costs up to $2 million. For borrowers in the Accommodation and Food Services sector (use NAICS 72 to confirm), the maximum loan amount for a Second Draw PPP Loan is 3.5x the average monthly 2019 or 2020 payroll costs up to $2 million.

A borrower is generally eligible for a Second Draw PPP Loan if the borrower:

Previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will or has used the full amount only for authorized uses
Has no more than 300 employees; and
Can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020

For more info, visit the SBA website.

Don’t miss the SBDC’s webinar series on PPP to find out who is eligible, how to apply, loan details and how to use the funds. Register for the SBDC’s PPP webinar here.

Update: What If I Never Received a PPP Loan?

For new PPP applicants, the PPP program is open through May 31, 2021 or until the new funding is exhausted.

March 8, 2021

Health & Wellness Day at the Market!

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Health & Wellness Day at the Market!
Health and Wellness Day gives customers education and tips on making positive healthy lifestyle choices. Find resources and local businesses that can help with health and wellness needs.

Come meet Members of the Chamber’s Health & Wellness Committee at the Lomita Farmers Market:

Stop by Adam Chiropractic
Working from home, increased sitting due to endless Zoom calls, it’s no wonder we’re all probably feeling a little off balance these days. Say hi to the friendly team from Adam Chiropractic & Wellness Center. Set up an appointment, get your questions answered or enjoy a mini massage.
Offering complimentary mini massages and spinal screenings!

New to Medicare or assisting someone who has Medicare? John Ballard can help you.
Medicare can be confusing. John can give you peace of mind by helping you with your Medicare questions.
Come by for a no-cost consultation with your friendly Lomita Medicare Guide.

Say hello to Mary & John with The Wellness Company
Learn more about The Wellness Company, an American Manufacturer of more than 400 products that are available only online and contain no harmful ingredients.. The catalogue includes nutrition, safe and effective household cleaners, beauty, personal care for babies, kids and adults, pure essential oils, medicine cabinet items. Switch stores and save up to 50% off market value.

Meet other other local businesses and Chamber members at the Market including:

Yai’s Naturals
South Bay Credit Union
Project Barley
Kettle Corn King & Acai Bowls
Shabby Shaw, State Farm Agent

And of course our farmers and food vendors featuring…

See you Sunday, March 14th 10am-2pm at Lomita Farmers Market (Lomita City Hall: 24300 Narbonne Ave, Lomita, CA 90717).

For more information and vendor application, please visit LomitaFarmersMarket.com

January 28, 2021

Health & Wellness Day at the Market!

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Come meet Members of the Chamber’s Health & Wellness Committee at the Lomita Farmers Market:

Be sure to visit Still Got It Fitness!
Frustrated with getting older, gaining weight and struggling to do the activities you once loved? Come talk to the health and fitness specialists to help you build strength, balance and motivation to live a long, healthy and active life.
Offering a 1-week trial and free book!

New to Medicare or assisting someone who has Medicare? John Ballard can help you. Medicare can be confusing. John can give you peace of mind by helping you with your Medicare questions.

Come by for a no-cost consultation with your friendly Lomita Medicare Guide.

Meet other other local businesses and Chamber members at the Market including:

South Bay Credit Union
Project Barley
State Farm Insurance Shabby Shaw
Kettle Corn King & Acai Bowls

And of course our farmers and food vendors featuring…

See you Sunday, January 31st 10am-2pm at Lomita Farmers Market (Lomita City Hall: 24300 Narbonne Ave, Lomita, CA 90717).

For more information and vendor application, please visit LomitaFarmersMarket.com

January 13, 2021

Lomita Chamber Advocates for Businesses & California Economy: Appeal to Governor Newsom

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“The California economy cannot fully recover until businesses are allowed to reopen… At the same time, California continues to suffer a significant exodus of employers to other states… California needs to address both crises immediately.”

On January 13, 2021, the Lomita Chamber of Commerce along with nearly 160 fellow California Chambers of Commerce and industry organizations rallied to appeal to Governor Gavin Newsom to take executive action to immediately and temporarily suspend for at least six months, specific laws and regulations, to reduce burdens on employers without affecting the health and safety of Californians.

The following letter was sent by CalChamber to Governor Newsom.

January 12, 2021

2021 CARES Act & Paycheck Protection Program

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Apply for PPP Loans Today

The Small Business Administration launched an online portal for eligible businesses to apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans based on the latest Covid-19 stimulus package.

Overview

Applications will initially be reserved for first-time community-based borrowers.
In an effort to make the process more equitable, the SBA is aiming to prioritize the distribution of the much-needed aid to smaller and financially vulnerable business, including borrowers participating in Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), Certified Development Companies (CDCs) and Microloan Intermediaries.
First-time borrowers are welcome to start submitting applications now.
Second-time borrowers can start requesting a new loan starting on Wednesday, January 13.

According to the latest regulations approved by Congress, Business with fewer than 300 employees and who suffered a decrease in gross receipts of at least 25% in any one quarter of 2020 compared to the same quarter in 2019 are eligible to apply for the PPP loans.

How to Apply

You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in the program.

If you wish to begin preparing your application, you can download the following PPP borrower application forms to see the information that will be requested from you when you apply with a lender:

Paycheck Protection Program First Draw Borrower Application Form (revised 01-08-21)
Paycheck Protection Program Second Draw Borrower Application Form (01-08-21)

Contact a local lender with any questions.

More information can be found here: SBA PPP User Guide

Information about the CARES Act of 2021 and other relief programs can be found here:U.S Treasury Department CARES Act of 2021

Please contact the Lomita Chamber of Commerce if you need assistance with any of these areas. We’re happy to connect you with a resource to help answer your questions.

December 28, 2020

Employer Resources: 2021 New Laws, Tax Credits, PPP Forgiveness and More

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New Laws for 2021

Be sure to read up on the laws that will apply to employers and small businesses including the California Family Care Act, Leaves of Absence, Workers Comp and more. Read more about these laws at the CalChamber website.

Mandatory Sexual Harassment Training

By January 1, 2021, employers with five or more employees must provide one hour of sexual harassment prevention training to nonsupervisory employees and two hours of such training to supervisors. These new requirements expand the prior harassment training law, which required employers with 50 or more employees to provide sexual harassment prevention training to all supervisors in California. The mandatory sexual harassment prevention training can be purchased on the CalChamber Store.

PPP Forgiveness Simplified Application

The SBA has released a 1-page forgiveness application for borrowers to apply for loan forgiveness for loans $50K or less. For loans larger than $50K here’s a link to the PPP EZ Application. Borrowers need to apply within 10 months after the last day of the borrower’s loan forgiveness covered period. For more info visit the SBA PPP Forgiveness FAQs.

California’s $100 Million Main Street Hiring Tax Credit

Qualified California small businesses that employed 100 or fewer employees as of December 31, 2019, and suffered a 50 percent decrease or more in income tax gross receipts can apply. Learn more about this credit.

CA Work Sharing Program Offers Employers Temporary Alternative to Layoffs

Employers can apply for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Work Sharing program as a temporary alternative to layoffs if the business’s production or services have been reduced. (The program is optional.) Visit the EDD website here.

Please contact the Lomita Chamber of Commerce if you need assistance with any of these areas. We’re happy to connect you with a resource to help answer your questions.

November 30, 2020

Toy Drive @Lomita Farmers Market

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Toy Drive @Lomita Farmers Market – Sundays in December | 10am-2pm
Bring a new unwrapped toy or gift card to the market to donate to support Lomita Sheriff’s Station toy drive for the holidays. Drop off stations at Lomita Chamber and City of Lomita booths at the Farmers Market.

The Lomita Farmers Market is held every Sunday from 10am – 2pm at Lomita City Hall 24300 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita.

Donations accepted through Dec 23rd at Lomita Sheriff’s Station.

All shoppers are required to wear masks and practice social distancing. Handwashing and sanitizing stations are available onsite.

November 30, 2020

Ugly Sweater Day @Lomita Farmers Market

Ugly Sweater Day @Lomita Farmers Market – December 20 | 10am-2pm
Wear your ugly holiday sweater or creative holiday attire to the Market. Goodie bags and treats for the participants and kiddos provided by the City of Lomita.

The Lomita Farmers Market is held every Sunday from 10am – 2pm at Lomita City Hall 24300 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita.

All shoppers are required to wear masks and practice social distancing. Handwashing and sanitizing stations are available onsite.

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Children’s Hospital LA and Be The Match will be onsite at this Sunday’s Farmers Market

Come meet Members of the Chamber’s Health & Wellness Committee at the Lomita Farmers Market:

Come meet Members of the Chamber’s Health & Wellness Committee at the Lomita Farmers Market:

Apply for PPP Loans Today

Please contact the Lomita Chamber of Commerce if you need assistance with any of these areas. We’re happy to connect you with a resource to help answer your questions.

New Laws for 2021

Mandatory Sexual Harassment Training

PPP Forgiveness Simplified Application

California’s $100 Million Main Street Hiring Tax Credit

CA Work Sharing Program Offers Employers Temporary Alternative to Layoffs

Please contact the Lomita Chamber of Commerce if you need assistance with any of these areas. We’re happy to connect you with a resource to help answer your questions.

Founding Members of the Lomita Chamber of Commerce