• Home
  • About The Herald
  • Local Agencies
  • Daily Email Update
  • Legal Notices
  • Classified Ads

Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Business
  • Community
  • Crime
  • Dining
  • Education
  • Faith
  • Health
  • News
  • Politics & Elections
  • Real Estate

Gov. Newsom taps all former California governors and other leaders for new Business and Jobs Recovery Task Force

April 17, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Governor appoints business and civic leader, and former Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer Chief Advisor and as task force co-chair with governor’s Chief of Staff Ann O’Leary

All of California’s former governors and California’s legislative leaders across both political parties join the task force

Brings together Californian government, business, labor, health care and community leaders from across diverse range of the state’s economy to develop recommendations for a plan that works for all Californians, with a focus on the regions and communities hardest hit by the pandemic

Former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, Disney Executive Chairman Bob Iger, ILWU President Willie Adams, President and CEO of the California Community Foundation Antonia Hernandez, former head of the Small Business Administration Aida Álvarez and Apple CEO Tim Cook will be part of the task force stepping up to help California pave the way toward a fast, safe recovery of jobs

SACRAMENTO (April 17, 2020) – Bringing together leaders across California’s diverse, innovative economic and social sectors to chart a path forward on recovery in the wake of COVID-19, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the formation of a state Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery. The Task Force will be co-chaired by Governor Newsom’s Chief of Staff Ann O’Leary and philanthropist, environmentalist and businessman Tom Steyer, who was also appointed Chief Advisor to the Governor on Business and Jobs Recovery. He will receive no compensation for his service.

Members of the Task Force include Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, Senate Minority Leader Shannon Grove, Assembly Minority Leader Marie Waldron, former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, Walt Disney Company Executive Chairman Bob Iger, former head of the Small Business Administration Aida Álvarez and dozens of prominent leaders in business, labor, health care, academia and philanthropy.

Read the full list of Task Force members here.

“This pandemic has forced millions of Californians out of jobs – with the most vulnerable hit the hardest,” said Governor Newsom. “While we have made significant progress in flattening the curve and increased preparedness of our health care delivery system, the actions taken have also impacted the economy, poverty and overall health care in California. We will use a gradual, science-based and data-driven framework to guide our re-opening timing while planning our economic recovery. I am honored that dozens of leaders in business, labor, health and philanthropy are stepping up to meet this moment by committing their time and talent to lift up all Californians. Through their leadership, and the leadership of California’s 40 million residents, I have no doubt we will emerge stronger from this crisis.”

The Task Force will work to develop actions government and businesses can take to help Californians recover as fast as safely possible from the COVID-19 induced recession and to shape a fair, green, and prosperous future. They will meet twice a month throughout 2020 to develop options that would work for all Californians, with a particular focus on those hardest hit by the pandemic.

“Governor Newsom has been a steady hand and shining example of how to lead during a crisis, and I am thrilled to help in this critical way,” said Tom Steyer. “In the coming weeks and months, we will bring together the public and private sectors, outside experts, organized labor, environmental groups, and activists to develop recommendations for a recovery plan that works for all Californians, with an emphasis on those communities hardest hit by the pandemic. Our goal is to present Governor Newsom with tangible actions that leverage the task force’s expertise to rebuild California, emphasize smart, green technologies and provide a model for just economic development for our country.”

The Task Force will craft ideas for short, medium, and long-term solutions that reflect communities across the state, and emphasize a fair and equitable recovery. There will be significant emphasis of the state’s strengths, including diversity and innovation. The Task Force will not only focus on our immediate recovery, but on actions to support a cleaner, more equitable and prosperous future for all Californians. It will build on the important work of other groups including the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors, the Higher Education Council and the Commission on the Future of Work. Both co-chairs of the Future of Work Commission, President of SEIU Mary Kay Henry and Senior Partner of McKinsey & Company James Manyika, will serve on the new Task Force.

The governor formed the Business and Jobs Recovery Task Force just days after he announced a multi-state Task Force with Oregon and Washington to coordinate the reopening of our regional economy. Governor Newsom outlined a road map to recovery with six indicators that should be met before California’s stay-at-home orders are modified.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on California’s economy. The state has seen more than 2.8 million unemployment claims since March 12, 2020 – not including undocumented residents or independent contractors. The impact has been particularly devastating for California’s small businesses.

Filed Under: Business, Economy, News, State of California

Newsom, Oregon and Washington governors announce western states pact for reopening economies

April 13, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

States agree region will move toward reopening based on health outcomes

Gov. Newsom makes remarks. Photo: Office of the California Governor.

SACRAMENTO (April 13, 2020) — Today, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Oregon Governor Kate Brown and Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced an agreement on a shared vision for reopening their economies and controlling COVID-19 into the future.

Joint statement from the Governors:

“COVID-19 has preyed upon our interconnectedness. In the coming weeks, the West Coast will flip the script on COVID-19 – with our states acting in close coordination and collaboration to ensure the virus can never spread wildly in our communities.

We are announcing that California, Oregon and Washington have agreed to work together on a shared approach for reopening our economies – one that identifies clear indicators for communities to restart public life and business.

While each state is building a state-specific plan, our states have agreed to the following principles as we build out a West Coast framework:

–Our residents’ health comes first. As home to one in six Americans and gateway to the rest of the world, the West Coast has an outsized stake in controlling and ultimately defeating COVID-19.

–Health outcomes and science – not politics – will guide these decisions. Modifications to our states’ stay at home orders must be made based off our understanding of the total health impacts of COVID-19, including: the direct impact of the disease on our communities; the health impact of measures introduced to control the spread in communities —particularly felt by those already experiencing social disadvantage prior to COVID-19; and our health care systems’ ability to ensure care for those who may become sick with COVID-19 and other conditions. This effort will be guided by data. We need to see a decline in the rate of spread of the virus before large-scale reopening, and we will be working in coordination to identify the best metrics to guide this.

–Our states will only be effective by working together. Each state will work with its local leaders and communities within its borders to understand what’s happening on the ground and adhere to our agreed upon approach.

Through quick and decisive action, each of our states has made significant progress in flattening the curve and slowing the spread of COVID-19 among the broader public. Now, our public health leaders will focus on four goals that will be critical for controlling the virus in the future.

  • Protecting vulnerable populations at risk for severe disease if infected. This includes a concerted effort to prevent and fight outbreaks in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
  • Ensuring an ability to care for those who may become sick with COVID-19 and other conditions. This will require adequate hospital surge capacity and supplies of personal protective equipment.
  • Mitigating the non-direct COVID-19 health impacts, particularly on disadvantaged communities.
  • Protecting the general public by ensuring any successful lifting of interventions includes the development of a system for testing, tracking and isolating. The states will work together to share best practices.

COVID-19 doesn’t follow state or national boundaries. It will take every level of government, working together, and a full picture of what’s happening on the ground.

In the coming days the governors, their staff and health officials will continue conversations about this regional pact to recovery.”

Filed Under: Business, Government, Health, News, State of California

Maya Cinemas in Pittsburg offers popcorn and concession zero-contact pickup program

April 13, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

By Greg Heckmann, Creative Marketing Consultant, Maya Cinemas

Maya Cinemas is keeping the fresh popcorn popping while its guests are at home watching movies on the small screen. This is a way for Maya to stay connected to its movie going community. The first week of the program was incredibly well received and orders were beyond all expectations.

Maya Cinemas launched a new program on April 8th where customers can purchase a 2-gallon resealable bag of popcorn and 2 movie size candies for $12. $2 add-ons to this package are available with a full list on the website.

The program is available every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Orders can be called in between 9am and 3pm with zero-contact pickup at the theater between 2pm and 5pm. Pickups are assigned in 15-minute increments to ensure safe distancing between guests. All payments must be completed over the phone to ensure safe pickup, so no cash payments accepted.

All info including order phone numbers, candy available and more at https://www.mayacinemas.com/popcorn-pickup

Maya Cinemas in Pittsburg is located at 4085 Century Blvd.

Get your tickets now at mayacinemas.com, you can also signup for weekly email showtimes!

Maya Cinemas was chartered in 2001 with a mission to develop, build, own and operate modern, first-run, megaplex movie theaters in underserved, family oriented, Latino-dominant communities. Maya offers first-run Hollywood movies in high-end cinemas focused on quality of design and state-of-the-art presentation technologies while keeping a keen focus on superior customer service.

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, Business, East County, Food, News

Disaster response jobs for U.S. Small Business Administration’s relief efforts

April 9, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

The SBA is hiring temporary employees to assist with disaster relief efforts. Bilingual language skills a plus. Must be a U.S. citizen.

Join our team! The SBA is hiring additional employees to assist with disaster relief efforts. Bilingual language skills are a plus. Remote jobs are available nationwide.

  • Call Center Customer Service Representative (CSR)
  • Document Preparation/Legal Review/ Loan Closings
  • Loan Processing/Credit Analysis/Mortgage Underwriting
  • Program Support

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, SBA is hiring for a number of positions.

Call Center Customer Service Representative (CSR)

Customer Service Representatives are needed with backgrounds in finance, credit, banking, accounting, and mortgage lending.  Students of business/finance may also apply. Strong computer skills are a must.  Texas notaries with experience closing loans, legal documents, etc. are also desired. Spanish speaking is a plus.

Disaster Recovery Specialist (Supersedes previous announcement, EXC-20-054-CSC-10752837, to amend duty location)
GS-0301-07/09; Full time (Temp)
Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA); Customer Service Center; Duty Station Negotiable.
Open to United States Citizens

Document Preparation/Legal Review/ Loan Closings

Attorneys/Paralegals are needed to review and close SBA Disaster Loans. Real Estate experience is a plus. Individuals waiting on bar results may apply. Attorneys must present a current bar card, but may be licensed in any state.

Paralegal Specialist
GS-0950-09/11; Full time (Temp)
Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA); Processing Disbursement Center (PDC); Fort Worth, TX;
Open to United States Citizens

Attorney Advisor (Gen)
(Supersedes previous announcement, EXC-20-057-PDC-10755112, to amend duty location)
GS-0301-09/11; Full time (Temp)
Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA); Processing and Disbursement Center (PDC); Duty Station Negotiable.
Open to United States Citizens

Legal Assistant
GS-0986-06/07; Full time (Temp)
Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA); Processing Disbursement Center (PDC); Fort Worth, TX;
Open to United States Citizens

Loan Processing/Credit Analysis/Mortgage Underwriting

Credit Analysts, Loan Officers, and Mortgage Underwriters are needed with experience evaluating financial information; determining creditworthiness and repayment ability; and making loan decisions (or recommendations) based on overall financial condition.

Loan Specialist (Commercial) – Virtual
GS-1165-12; Full time (Temp)
Office of Capital Access (OCA); Virtual.
Open to United States Citizens

Loan Specialist (Commercial) – Virtual
GS-1165-12; Full time (Temp)
Office of Capital Access (OCA); Virtual.
Open to United States Citizens

Loan Specialist (Commercial)
GS-1165-09; Full time (Temp)
Office of Capital Access (OCA); Various Duty Stations.
Open to United States Citizens

Loan Specialist (Commercial)
GS-1165-09; Full time (Temp)
Office of Capital Access (OCA); Various Duty Stations.
Open to United States Citizens

Loan Processing Assistant
GS-1101-07; Full time (Temp)
Office of Capital Access (OCA); Various Duty Stations.
Open to United States Citizens

Loan Servicing Assistant
GS-1101-07; Full time (Temp)
Office of Capital Access (OCA); Various Duty Stations.
Open to United States Citizens

Supervisory Loan Specialist (Commerical)
GS-1165-13; Full time (Temp)
Office of Capital Access (OCA); Various Duty Stations.
Open to United States Citizens

Supervisory Loan Specialist (Commerical)
GS-1165-13; Full time (Temp)
Office of Capital Access (OCA); Various Duty Stations.
Open to United States Citizens

Loan Specialist (Gen) (Supersedes previous announcement, EXC-20-065-PDC-10753859, to amend duty location)
GS-0301-09/11; Full time (Temp)
Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA); Processing and Disbursement Center (PDC); Duty Station Negotiable.
Open to United States Citizens

Loan Assistant
GS-1165-05/07; Full time (Temp)
Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA); Processing Disbursement Center (PDC); Fort Worth, TX;
Open to United States Citizens

Program Support

Program Support Assistant
GS-0301-05/06/07; Full time (Temp)
Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA); Processing and Disbursement Center (PDC); Fort Worth, TX.
Open to United States Citizens

Filed Under: Business, Jobs & Economic Development, News

Clayton, Brentwood Realtors® named 2019 award winners by Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.

April 7, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

By Michelle Watson, Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.

Weichert Realtors® – America First Team and HH and Associates are proud to announce their 2019 Office Award Winners. The agents were honored by the national franchise organization, Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., based on achieving specified production requirements in gross commission income or units earned in 2019. These Weichert® affiliated agents earned their recognition from among associates in 40 states at the year’s end.

The Weichert – America First Team 2019 Award Winners – Jill Totton, Larry Hansohn, Linda Miller, Michael Arnone, Karen Holmberg and Astrid Jarquin.

America First Team – Clayton

Jill Totton – Sales Achievement; Larry Hansohn – Sales Achievement; Linda Miller – Sales Achievement; Michael Arnone – Sales Achievement; Karen Holmberg – Sales Achievement; and Astrid Jarquin – Sales Achievement.

Weichert – HH & Associates 2019 Award Winners Delia Colmenares, Jessica Enos, Ronald J. Enos, Emil Geddes, Mandy Kay Myhand-Teputepu and Naomi Longoria.

HH and Associates – Brentwood

Delia Colmenares – President’s Club (Gold); Jessica Enos – Executive Club; Ronald J. Enos – Executive Club; Emil Geddes – Sales Achievement; Mandy Kay Myhand-Teputepu – Sales Achievement; and Naomi Longoria – Sales Achievement.

“Our affiliates accomplished so much last year,” said Bill Scavone, president and chief operating officer of Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. “We are extremely fortunate to have such knowledgeable, dedicated and tireless Realtors.”

Weichert Realtors® – America First Team is an independently owned and operated Weichert affiliated office and located at 1520 Kirker Pass Road, Suite A in Clayton. For more information about Weichert Realtors® – America First Team, please contact Broker/Owner Julie Rogers at 925-672-9091, email jrogers@weichert.com or visit their Weichert website.

Weichert Realtors® – HH and Associates is owned by Broker Maggie Hurtado and Dave Hansen.

“No words can express the gratitude I feel towards our agents. With combined experience and knowledge, I couldn’t ask for a better team,” Hurtado said. “As we continue to serve the families and community we live in I’m very proud to say we not only offer buying and selling homes, land and commercial, I can honestly say we do it with integrity and always put our clients, first.”

“This special award-winning group is the reason we’re not just about real estate, we’re a family,” she added.

Weichert Realtors® – HH and Associates is an independently owned and operated Weichert affiliated office and located at 9000 Brentwood Blvd., Suite C in Brentwood. For more information please contact Maggie Hurtado or Dave Hansen at (925) 634-4611, email MargaretHurtado@sbcglobal.net or DHansen@HHandAssociates.com, or visit their Weichert website.

About Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.

Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. has grown steadily since Jim Weichert, president, chairman and CEO of Weichert Companies, launched the company’s franchise division in 2001. The affiliate division was created to offer a business model for franchisee ownership candidates described as “a clearly defined operating system for marketing and managing a real estate business.”

Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. announced its first affiliate in 2002, was ranked as one of the top traditional residential real estate franchises in Entrepreneur’s 2020 Franchise 500 and was identified in 2020 by Franchise Business Review as one of the top U.S. franchises for owner satisfaction. Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. has offices serving over 350 markets in 40 states. For more information about Weichert, visit Weichert.com or for information on franchise opportunities visit WeichertFranchise.com. Each Weichert® franchised office is independently owned and operated.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Filed Under: Business, Central County, East County, News, Real Estate

Gov. Newsom signs Executive Order providing relief to California small businesses

March 31, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Order provides 90-day extension in state and local taxes, including sales tax; extends licensing deadlines and requirements for a number of industries

SACRAMENTO – On Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order that will provide tax, regulatory and licensing extensions for businesses.

The executive order allows the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) to offer a 90-day extension for tax returns and tax payments for all businesses filing a return for less than $1 million in taxes. That means small businesses will have until the end of July to file their first-quarter returns.

Additionally, the order extends the statute of limitations to file a claim for refund by 60 days to accommodate tax and fee payers.

The executive order also includes extensions that impact state government workers, as well as consumers. For instance, the Department of Motor Vehicles will limit in-person transactions for the next 60 days, allowing instead for mail-in renewals. Additionally, the Department of Consumer Affairs will waive continuing education requirements for several professions, also for the next 60 days.

Further, the order will extend the Office of Administrative Law’s deadlines to review regular department proposed regulations. The order also extends by 60 days the time period to complete investigation of public safety officers based on allegations of misconduct. Finally, deadlines for trainings, investigations, and adverse actions for state workers will also be extended.

A copy of the Governor’s executive order can be found here, and the text of the order can be found here.

For the latest on the state’s COVID-19 response, visit covid19.ca.gov.

Filed Under: Business, Government, Health, News, Taxes

School of Rock San Ramon keeps rocking with launch of remote learning program

March 26, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

SAN RAMON, CA – School of Rock, the leader in performance-based music education, has launched virtual, one-on-one music lessons for its 40,000 students around the world through its School of Rock Remote program. The program is in response to the growing number of citizens being asked to remain in their homes or limit travel.

Students will use video conferencing to meet with their skilled music instructor from the comfort and safety of their own home. The new virtual lesson room coupled with School of Rock’s proprietary Method App™, SongFirst™ approach and Method Books™ will offer a comprehensive music learning experience that is fun, educational and safe during the current circumstances.

“At School of Rock, the health and safety of our students is our top priority, which is why we have rapidly adapted our operations in order to meet students’ needs,” said Rob Price, CEO of School of Rock. “School of Rock Remote along with our School of Rock Method App is a fantastic way to provide continuity and connection. Our instructors are gigging musicians, and they have shown their flexibility to make sure the music goes on.”

“We are thrilled to provide our students the ability to continue their music education from wherever they are, and allow them to maintain familiar routines while they are stuck inside and dealing with an uncertain reality.” says Toni Baker, Owner and GM of School of Rock San Ramon. “School of Rock Remote allows us to provide the same level of instruction that we’re known for, but in a way that prioritizes health and safety.”

Additionally, Hal Leonard, the world’s largest print music publisher of performance and instructional material, has partnered with School of Rock to provide students a free 60-day pass to SheetMusicDirect.com, a nearly endless library of notation in virtually every genre, including rock. Sheet Music Direct PASS is the world’s leading digital sheet music subscription service.

For more information about School of Rock Remote and how to sign up for virtual lessons, please visit https://locations.schoolofrock.com/sanramon

ABOUT SCHOOL OF ROCK:

School of Rock provides students of all ages an exciting and engaging learning environment for taking guitar lessons, drum lessons, bass lessons, keyboard lessons, and singing lessons. Drawing from all styles of rock and roll, School of Rock students learn theory and techniques via songs from legendary artists such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Frank Zappa. Thanks to the school’s performance-based approach, students around the world have gained superior instrumental skills and confidence on the big stage, with some moving on to record deals and larger platforms such as American Idol, The Voice and Broadway.

 

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, Business, Education

Bellhops online service hiring thousands of contractors to meet needs of Americans still moving during this challenging time

March 26, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Earn on Average $21 an Hour; Service Features Include Instant Online Booking, Adjustable Schedules and Straightforward Pricing, for Both Local and National Moves

The Company is Also Providing Financial Assistance to Qualifying Bellhops Movers and Drivers Diagnosed with COVID-19 or Placed in Individual Quarantine by a Public Health Authority or Medical Professional

(Chattanooga, TN) – March 25, 2020 – Moving is something we all do and at times cannot be avoided, even when faced with a worldwide pandemic like COVID-19. Bellhops, an online service for moving, is committed to keep coordinating moves for those in need and is currently looking to add thousands of movers and drivers to their platform across the country. The company, which organizes moving services in over 65 markets, is also providing financial assistance to certain existing Bellhops movers and drivers that are diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed in individual quarantine by a public health authority or medical professional. A full list of Bellhops markets can be viewed at GetBellhops.com/locations/.

Moving is already stressful, but with our current health crisis, now more than ever customers need top-notch customer service and a quick and easy solution for obtaining on-demand movers. With its unique technology and booking experience and on-demand moving partners, Bellhops helps to create a moving experience that is more efficient, affordable and reliable than those found with traditional moving companies. Bellhops also provides a photo with star-rating of movers to each customer 24 hours prior to the move.

“Americans are still having to move. Whether it’s due to the end of a lease or they are renting or purchasing a new home, they need help,” said Luke Marklin, CEO of Bellhops. “As an essential service, Bellhops is working tirelessly to ensure those who need to move have the assistance they need. This also means we have work opportunities for those impacted by layoffs and pay cuts.”

Bellhops moving professionals earn on average $21 an hour, including tips and bonuses, and professional drivers can earn over $40 an hour per move. They get paid weekly and movers receive extra compensation for referrals. To find jobs, local movers simply enter their schedule in the Bellhops mobile app and get matched with customers who need help moving. Those interested in providing moving or driving services on the Bellhops platform can apply at: GetBellhops.com/being-a-bellhop/.

“At a time when companies coast to coast are making the difficult decision to lay off workers, we are proud to be adding more moving and driving partners in our markets,” continued Marklin. “As Bellhops continues its rapid growth, we foresee the need to bring on even more moving and driving partners to meet demand and offer work opportunities during this difficult crisis.”

For anyone that has already booked a move via Bellhops and is worried about how COVID-19 may impact their plans, they can get more information at GetBellhops.com/help/faq/.

For more info on the support Bellhops is offering movers and drivers on their platform visit: bit.ly/2wyyPqn.

With over 200,000 moves booked through Bellhops and an average star rating of 4.8, unheard of in the industry, Bellhops is bringing Americans a better way to move. In 2019, Bellhops service providers carried and transported over 4.6 million boxes, totaling 72 million pounds. Bellhops service providers also logged more than 375,000 miles, including one of the longest moves ever conducted by a Bellhops service provider from Hartford to Seattle. In total, Bellhops service providers spent more than 480,000 hours helping Americans get settled into their new lives.
About Bellhops

In 2011, Bellhops started as a simple solution for college students looking for help moving into dorms. Today, with the experience of having arranged hundreds of thousands of moves, Bellhops now helps to provide moving solutions for customers in more than 60 cities nationwide. By pairing AI technology with best-in-class customer service, Bellhops is transforming the dated $18B moving industry, creating flexible work opportunities and changing the way Americans move from place to place.

For more information, please visit GetBellhops.com/

To apply to be a mover: GetBellhops.com/being-a-bellhop/

To apply to be a driver: GetBellhops.com/drive-for-bellhops/

Filed Under: Business

Complete list of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers in California

March 23, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Updated 3/22/20

From Office of the Governor of California Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response

On March 19, 2020, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-33-20 directing all residents immediately to heed current State public health directives to stay home, except as needed to maintain continuity of operations of essential critical infrastructure sectors and additional sectors as the State Public Health Officer may designate as critical to protect health and well-being of all Californians.

In accordance with this order, the State Public Health Officer has designated the following list of “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” to help state, local, tribal, and industry partners as they work to protect communities, while ensuring continuity of functions critical to public health and safety, as well as economic and national security.

See the list, here. Updates to this list may be issued periodically, with the most recent updates reflected in blue text.

HEALTHCARE / PUBLIC HEALTH

Sector Profile

The Healthcare and Public Health (HPH) Sector is large, diverse, and open, spanning both the public and private sectors. It includes publicly accessible healthcare facilities, research centers, suppliers, manufacturers, and other physical assets and vast, complex public-private information technology systems required for care delivery and to support the rapid, secure transmission and storage of large amounts of HPH data.

Essential Workforce

  • Workers providing COVID-19 testing; Workers that perform critical clinical research needed for COVID-19 response.
  • Health care providers and caregivers (e.g., physicians, dentists, psychologists, mid-level practitioners, nurses and assistants, infection control and quality assurance personnel, pharmacists, physical and occupational therapists and assistants, social workers, speech pathologists and diagnostic and therapeutic technicians and technologists).
  • Hospital and laboratory personnel (including accounting, administrative, admitting and discharge, engineering, epidemiological, source plasma and blood donation, food service, housekeeping, medical records, information technology and operational technology, nutritionists, sanitarians, respiratory therapists, etc.).
  • Workers in other medical facilities (including Ambulatory Health and Surgical, Blood Banks, Clinics, Community Mental Health, Comprehensive Outpatient rehabilitation, End Stage Renal Disease, Health Departments, Home Health care, Hospices, Hospitals, Long Term Care, Organ Pharmacies, Procurement Organizations, Psychiatric, Residential, Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers, cannabis retailers).
  • Manufacturers, technicians, logistics and warehouse operators, and distributors of medical equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), medical gases, pharmaceuticals, blood and blood products, vaccines, testing materials, laboratory supplies, cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting or sterilization supplies, personal care/hygiene products, and tissue and paper towel products.
  • Public health / community health workers, including those who compile, model, analyze and communicate public health information.
  • Behavioral health workers (including mental and substance use disorder) responsible for coordination, outreach, engagement, and treatment to individuals in need of mental health and/or substance use disorder services.
  • Blood and plasma donors and the employees of the organizations that operate and manage related activities.
  • Workers that manage health plans, billing, and health information, who cannot practically work remotely.
  • Workers who conduct community-based public health functions, conducting epidemiologic surveillance, compiling, analyzing and communicating public health information, who cannot practically work remotely.
  • Workers who provide support to vulnerable populations to ensure their health and well-being including family care providers
  • Workers performing cybersecurity functions at healthcare and public health facilities, who cannot practically work remotely.
  • Workers conducting research critical to COVID-19 response.
  • Workers performing security, incident management, and emergency operations functions at or on behalf of healthcare entities including healthcare coalitions, who cannot practically work remotely.
  • Workers who support food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals, such as those residing in shelters.
  • Pharmacy employees necessary for filling prescriptions.
  • Workers performing mortuary services, including funeral homes, crematoriums, and cemetery workers.
  • Workers who coordinate with other organizations to ensure the proper recovery, handling, identification, transportation, tracking, storage, and disposal of human remains and personal effects; certify cause of death; and facilitate access to behavioral health services to the family members, responders, and survivors of an incident.
  • Workers supporting veterinary hospitals and clinics

EMERGENCY SERVICES SECTOR

Sector Profile

The Emergency Services Sector (ESS) is a community of highly-skilled, trained personnel, along with the physical and cyber resources, that provide a wide range of prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery services during both day-to-day operations and incident response. The ESS includes geographically distributed facilities and equipment in both paid and volunteer capacities organized primarily at the federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial levels of government, such as city police departments and fire stations, county sheriff’s offices, Department of Defense police and fire departments, and town public works departments. The ESS also includes private sector resources, such as industrial fire departments, private security organizations, and private emergency medical services providers.

Essential Workforce – Law Enforcement, Public Safety and First Responders

  • Including front line and management, personnel include emergency management, law enforcement, Emergency Management Systems, fire, and corrections, search and rescue, tactical teams including maritime, aviation, and canine units.
  • Emergency Medical Technicians
  • Public Safety Answering Points and 911 call center employees
  • Fusion Center employees
  • Fire Mitigation Activities
  • Hazardous material responders and hazardous devices teams, from government and the private sector.
  • Workers – including contracted vendors — who maintain digital systems infrastructure supporting law enforcement and emergency service operations.
  • Private security, private fire departments, and private emergency medical services personnel.
  • County workers responding to abuse and neglect of children, elders and dependent adults.
  • Animal control officers and humane officers

Essential Workforce – Public Works

  • Workers who support the operation, inspection, and maintenance of essential dams, locks and levees
  • Workers who support the operation, inspection, and maintenance of essential public works facilities and operations, including bridges, water and sewer main breaks, fleet maintenance personnel, construction of critical or strategic infrastructure, construction material suppliers, traffic signal maintenance, emergency location services for buried utilities, maintenance of digital systems infrastructure supporting public works operations, and other emergent issues
  • Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.
  • Support, such as road and line clearing, to ensure the availability of needed facilities, transportation, energy and communications Support to ensure the effective removal, storage, and disposal of residential and commercial solid waste and hazardous waste.

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Sector Profile

The Food and Agricultural (FA) Sector is composed of complex production, processing, and delivery systems and has the capacity to feed people and animals both within and beyond the boundaries of the United States. Beyond domestic food production, the FA Sector also imports many ingredients and finished products, leading to a complex web of growers, processors, suppliers, transporters, distributors, and consumers. This sector is critical to maintaining and securing our food supply.

Essential Workforce

  • Workers supporting groceries, pharmacies, and other retail that sells food and beverage products, including but not limited to Grocery stores, Corner stores and convenience stores, including liquor stores that sell food, Farmers’ markets, Food banks, Farm and produce stands, Supermarkets, Similar food retail establishments, Big box stores that sell groceries and essentials
  • Restaurant carry-out and quick serve food operations – including food preparation, carry-out and delivery food employees
  • Food manufacturer employees and their supplier employees—to include those employed in food processing (packers, meat processing, cheese plants, milk plants, produce, etc.) facilities; livestock, poultry, seafood slaughter facilities; pet and animal feed processing facilities; human food facilities producing by-products for animal food; beverage production facilities; and the production of food packaging
  • Farm workers to include those employed in animal food, feed, and ingredient production, packaging, and distribution; manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of veterinary drugs; truck delivery and transport; farm and fishery labor needed to produce our food supply domestically
  • Farm workers and support service workers to include those who field crops; commodity inspection; fuel ethanol facilities; storage facilities; and other agricultural inputs
  • Employees and firms supporting food, feed, and beverage distribution (including curbside distribution and deliveries), including warehouse workers, vendor-managed inventory controllers, blockchain managers, distribution
  • Workers supporting the sanitation of all food manufacturing processes and operations from wholesale to retail
  • Company cafeterias – in-plant cafeterias used to feed employees
  • Workers in food testing labs in private industries and in institutions of higher education
  • Workers essential for assistance programs and government payments
  • Workers supporting cannabis retail and dietary supplement retail
  • Employees of companies engaged in the production of chemicals, medicines, vaccines, and other substances used by the food and agriculture industry, including pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, minerals, enrichments, and other agricultural production aids
  • Animal agriculture workers to include those employed in veterinary health; manufacturing and distribution of animal medical materials, animal vaccines, animal drugs, feed ingredients, feed, and bedding, etc.; transportation of live animals, animal medical materials; transportation of deceased animals for disposal; raising of animals for food; animal production operations; slaughter and packing plants and associated regulatory and government workforce
  • Workers who support the manufacture and distribution of forest products, including, but not limited to timber, paper, and other wood products
  • Employees engaged in the manufacture and maintenance of equipment and other infrastructure necessary to agricultural production and distribution

ENERGY

Sector Profile

The Energy Sector consists of widely diverse and geographically dispersed critical assets and systems that are often interdependent of one another. This critical infrastructure is divided into three interrelated segments or subsectors—electricity, oil, and natural gas—to include the production, refining, storage, and distribution of oil, gas, and electric power, except for hydroelectric and commercial nuclear power facilities and pipelines. The Energy Sector supplies fuels to the transportation industry, electricity to households and businesses, and other sources of energy that are integral to growth and production across the Nation. In turn, it depends on the Nation’s transportation, information technology, communications, finance, water, and government infrastructures.

Essential Workforce – Electricity industry:

  • Workers who maintain, ensure, or restore the generation, transmission, and distribution of electric power, including call centers, utility workers, reliability engineers and fleet maintenance technicians
  • Workers needed for safe and secure operations at nuclear generation
  • Workers at generation, transmission, and electric blackstart facilities
  • Workers at Reliability Coordinator (RC), Balancing Authorities (BA), and primary and backup Control Centers (CC), including but not limited to independent system operators, regional transmission organizations, and balancing authorities
  • Mutual assistance personnel
  • IT and OT technology staff – for EMS (Energy Management Systems) and Supervisory Control and Data
  • Acquisition (SCADA) systems, and utility data centers; Cybersecurity engineers; cybersecurity risk management
  • Vegetation management crews and traffic workers who support
  • Environmental remediation/monitoring technicians
  • Instrumentation, protection, and control technicians

 

Essential Workforce – Petroleum workers:

  • Petroleum product storage, pipeline, marine transport, terminals, rail transport, road transport
  • Crude oil storage facilities, pipeline, and marine transport
  • Petroleum refinery facilities
  • Petroleum security operations center employees and workers who support emergency response services
  • Petroleum operations control rooms/centers
  • Petroleum drilling, extraction, production, processing, refining, terminal operations, transporting, and retail for use as end-use fuels or feedstocks for chemical manufacturing
  • Onshore and offshore operations for maintenance and emergency response
  • Retail fuel centers such as gas stations and truck stops, and the distribution systems that support them.

Essential Workforce – Natural and propane gas workers:

  • Natural gas transmission and distribution pipelines, including compressor stations
  • Underground storage of natural gas
  • Natural gas processing plants, and those that deal with natural gas liquids
  • Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities
  • Natural gas security operations center, natural gas operations dispatch and control rooms/centers natural gas emergency response and customer emergencies, including natural gas leak calls
  • Drilling, production, processing, refining, and transporting natural gas for use as end-use fuels, feedstocks for chemical manufacturing, or use in electricity generation
  • Propane gas dispatch and control rooms and emergency response and customer emergencies, including propane leak calls
  • Propane gas service maintenance and restoration, including call centers
  • Processing, refining, and transporting natural liquids, including propane gas, for use as end-use fuels or feedstocks for chemical manufacturing
  • Propane gas storage, transmission, and distribution centers

WATER AND WASTEWATER

Sector Profile

The Water and Wastewater Sector is a complex sector composed of drinking water and wastewater infrastructure of varying sizes and ownership types. Multiple governing authorities pertaining to the Water and Wastewater Sector provide for public health, environmental protection, and security measures, among others.

Essential Workforce

Employees needed to operate and maintain drinking water and wastewater/drainage infrastructure, including:

  • Operational staff at water authorities
  • Operational staff at community water systems
  • Operational staff at wastewater treatment facilities
  • Workers repairing water and wastewater conveyances and performing required sampling or monitoring
  • Operational staff for water distribution and testing
  • Operational staff at wastewater collection facilities
  • Operational staff and technical support for SCADA Control systems
  • Chemical disinfectant suppliers for wastewater and personnel protection
  • Workers that maintain digital systems infrastructure supporting water and wastewater operations

TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS

Sector Profile

The Transportation Systems Sector consists of seven key subsectors, or modes:

– Aviation includes aircraft, air traffic control systems, and airports, heliports, and landing strips. Commercial aviation services at civil and joint-use military airports, heliports, and sea plane bases. In addition, the aviation mode includes commercial and recreational aircraft (manned and unmanned) and a wide variety of support services, such as aircraft repair stations, fueling facilities, navigation aids, and flight schools.

– Highway and Motor Carrier encompasses roadway, bridges, and tunnels. Vehicles include trucks, including those carrying hazardous materials; other commercial vehicles, including commercial motorcoaches and school buses; vehicle and driver licensing systems; taxis, transportation services including Transportation Network Companies, and delivery services including Delivery Network Companies; traffic management systems; AND cyber systems used for operational management.

– Maritime Transportation System consists of coastline, ports, waterways, and intermodal landside connections that allow the various modes of transportation to move people and goods to, from, and on the water.

– Mass Transit and Passenger Rail includes terminals, operational systems, and supporting infrastructure for passenger services by transit buses, trolleybuses, monorail, heavy rail—also known as subways or metros—light rail, passenger rail, and vanpool/rideshare.

– Pipeline Systems consist of pipelines carrying natural gas hazardous liquids, as well as various chemicals. Above-ground assets, such as compressor stations and pumping stations, are also included.

– Freight Rail consists of major carriers, smaller railroads, active railroad, freight cars, and locomotives.

– Postal and Shipping includes large integrated carriers, regional and local courier services, mail services, mail management firms, and chartered and delivery services.

  • Employees supporting or enabling transportation functions, including dispatchers, maintenance and repair technicians, warehouse workers, truck stop and rest area workers, and workers that maintain and inspect infrastructure (including those that require cross-border travel)
  • Employees of firms providing services that enable logistics operations, including cooling, storing, packaging, and distributing products for wholesale or retail sale or use.
  • Mass transit workers
  • Taxis, transportation services including Transportation Network Companies, and delivery services including Delivery Network Companies
  • Workers responsible for operating dispatching passenger, commuter and freight trains and maintaining rail infrastructure and equipment
  • Maritime transportation workers – port workers, mariners, equipment operators
  • Truck drivers who haul hazardous and waste materials to support critical infrastructure, capabilities, functions, and services
  • Automotive repair and maintenance facilities
  • Manufacturers and distributors (to include service centers and related operations) of packaging materials, pallets, crates, containers, and other supplies needed to support manufacturing, packaging staging and distribution operations
  • Postal and shipping workers, to include private companies
  • Employees who repair and maintain vehicles, aircraft, rail equipment, marine vessels, and the equipment and infrastructure that enables operations that encompass movement of cargo and passengers
  • Air transportation employees, including air traffic controllers, ramp personnel, aviation security, and aviation management
  • Workers who support the maintenance and operation of cargo by air transportation, including flight crews, maintenance, airport operations, and other on- and off- airport facilities workers

COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Sector Profile

The Communications Sector provides products and services that support the efficient operation of today’s global information-based society. Communication networks enable people around the world to contact one another, access information instantly, and communicate from remote areas. This involves creating a link between a sender (including voice signals) and one or more recipients using technology (e.g., a telephone system or the Internet) to transmit information from one location to another. Technologies are changing at a rapid pace, increasing the number of products, services, service providers, and communication options. The national communications architecture is a complex collection of networks that are owned and operated by individual service providers. Many of this sector’s products and services are foundational or necessary for the operations and services provided by other critical infrastructure sectors. The nature of communication networks involve both physical infrastructure (buildings, switches, towers, antennas, etc.) and cyber infrastructure (routing and switching software, operational support systems, user applications, etc.), representing a holistic challenge to address the entire physical-cyber infrastructure.

The IT Sector provides products and services that support the efficient operation of today’s global information-based society and are integral to the operations and services provided by other critical infrastructure Sectors. The IT Sector is comprised of small and medium businesses, as well as large multinational companies. Unlike many critical infrastructure Sectors composed of finite and easily identifiable physical assets, the IT Sector is a functions-based Sector that comprises not only physical assets but also virtual systems and networks that enable key capabilities and services in both the public and private sectors.

Essential Workforce – Communications:

  • Maintenance of communications infrastructure- including privately owned and maintained communication systems- supported by technicians, operators, call-centers, wireline and wireless providers, cable service providers, satellite operations, undersea cable landing stations, Internet Exchange Points, and manufacturers and distributors of communications equipment
  • Workers who support radio, television, and media service, including, but not limited to front line news reporters, studio, and technicians for newsgathering and reporting
  • Workers at Independent System Operators and Regional Transmission Organizations, and Network Operations staff, engineers and/or technicians to manage the network or operate facilities
  • Engineers, technicians and associated personnel responsible for infrastructure construction and restoration, including contractors for construction and engineering of fiber optic cables
  • Installation, maintenance and repair technicians that establish, support or repair service as needed
  • Central office personnel to maintain and operate central office, data centers, and other network office facilities
  • Customer service and support staff, including managed and professional services as well as remote providers of support to transitioning employees to set up and maintain home offices, who interface with customers to manage or support service environments and security issues, including payroll, billing, fraud, and troubleshooting
  • Dispatchers involved with service repair and restoration

Essential Workforce – Information Technology:

  • Workers who support command centers, including, but not limited to Network Operations Command Center, Broadcast Operations Control Center and Security Operations Command Center
  • Data center operators, including system administrators, HVAC & electrical engineers, security personnel, IT managers, data transfer solutions engineers, software and hardware engineers, and database administrators
  • Client service centers, field engineers, and other technicians supporting critical infrastructure, as well as manufacturers and supply chain vendors that provide hardware and software, and information technology equipment (to include microelectronics and semiconductors) for critical infrastructure
  • Workers responding to cyber incidents involving critical infrastructure, including medical facilities, SLTT governments and federal facilities, energy and utilities, and banks and financial institutions, and other critical infrastructure categories and personnel
  • Workers supporting the provision of essential global, national and local infrastructure for computing services (incl. cloud computing services), business infrastructure, web-based services, and critical manufacturing
  • Workers supporting communications systems and information technology used by law enforcement, public safety, medical, energy and other critical industries
  • Support required for continuity of services, including janitorial/cleaning personnel

OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential Workforce

  • Critical government workers, as defined by the employer and consistent with Continuity of Operations Plans and Continuity of Government plans.
  • County workers responsible for determining eligibility for safety net benefits
  • The Courts, consistent with guidance released by the California Chief Justice
  • Workers to ensure continuity of building functions
  • Security staff to maintain building access control and physical security measures
  • Elections personnel
  • Federal, State, and Local, Tribal, and Territorial employees who support Mission Essential Functions and communications networks
  • Trade Officials (FTA negotiators; international data flow administrators)
  • Weather forecasters
  • Workers that maintain digital systems infrastructure supporting other critical government operations
  • Workers at operations centers necessary to maintain other essential functions
  • Workers who support necessary credentialing, vetting and licensing operations for transportation workers
  • Workers who are critical to facilitating trade in support of the national, state, and local emergency response supply chain
  • Workers supporting public and private childcare establishments, pre-K establishments, K-12 schools, colleges, and universities for purposes of distance learning, provision of school meals, or care and supervision of minors to support essential workforce across all sectors
  • Workers and instructors supporting academies and training facilities and courses for the purpose of graduating students and cadets that comprise the essential workforce for all identified critical sectors
  • Hotel Workers where hotels are used for COVID-19 mitigation and containment measures, including measures to protect homeless populations.
  • Construction Workers who support the construction, operation, inspection, and maintenance of construction sites and construction projects (including housing construction)
  • Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, construction material sources, and essential operation of construction sites and construction projects (including those that support such projects to ensure the availability of needed facilities, transportation, energy and communications; and support to ensure the effective removal, storage, and disposal of solid waste and hazardous waste)
  • Commercial Retail Stores, that supply essential sectors, including convenience stores, pet supply stores, auto supplies and repair, hardware and home improvement, and home appliance retailers
  • Workers supporting the entertainment industries, studios, and other related establishments, provided they follow covid-19 public health guidance around social distancing.
  • Workers critical to operating Rental Car companies that facilitate continuity of operations for essential workforces, and other essential travel
  • Workers that provide or determine eligibility for food, shelter, in-home supportive services, child welfare, adult protective services and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals (including family members)
  • Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities and critical sector services
  • Faith based services that are provided through streaming or other technology
  • Laundromats and laundry services
  • Workers at animal care facilities that provide food, shelter, veterinary and/or routine care and other necessities of life for animals.

CRITICAL MANUFACTURING

Sector Profile

The Critical Manufacturing Sector identifies several industries to serve as the core of the sector: Primary Metals Manufacturing, Machinery Manufacturing, Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing, Transportation Equipment Manufacturing Products made by these manufacturing industries are essential to many other critical infrastructure sectors.

  • Workers necessary for the manufacturing of materials and products needed for medical supply chains, transportation, energy, communications, food and agriculture, chemical manufacturing, nuclear facilities, the operation of dams, water and wastewater treatment, emergency services, and the defense industrial base.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Essential Workforce

  • Workers at nuclear facilities, workers managing medical waste, workers managing waste from pharmaceuticals and medical material production, and workers at laboratories processing test kits
  • Workers who support hazardous materials response and cleanup
  • Workers who maintain digital systems infrastructure supporting hazardous materials management operations

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Sector Profile

The Financial Services Sector includes thousands of depository institutions, providers of investment products, insurance companies, other credit and financing organizations, and the providers of the critical financial utilities and services that support these functions. Financial institutions vary widely in size and presence, ranging from some of the world’s largest global companies with thousands of employees and many billions of dollars in assets, to community banks and credit unions with a small number of employees serving individual communities. Whether an individual savings account, financial derivatives, credit extended to a large organization, or investments made to a foreign country, these products allow customers to: Deposit funds and make payments to other parties; Provide credit and liquidity to customers; Invest funds for both long and short periods; Transfer financial risks between customers.

Essential Workforce

  • Workers who are needed to process and maintain systems for processing financial transactions and services (e.g., payment, clearing, and settlement; wholesale funding; insurance services; and capital markets activities)
  • Workers who are needed to provide consumer access to banking and lending services, including ATMs, and to move currency and payments (e.g., armored cash carriers)
  • Workers who support financial operations, such as those staffing data and security operations centers

CHEMICAL

Sector Profile

The Chemical Sector—composed of a complex, global supply chain—converts various raw materials into diverse products that are essential to modern life. Based on the end product produced, the sector can be divided into five main segments, each of which has distinct characteristics, growth dynamics, markets, new developments, and issues: Basic chemicals; Specialty chemicals; Agricultural chemicals; Pharmaceuticals; Consumer products

Essential Workforce

  • Workers supporting the chemical and industrial gas supply chains, including workers at chemical manufacturing plants, workers in laboratories, workers at distribution facilities, workers who transport basic raw chemical materials to the producers of industrial and consumer goods, including hand sanitizers, food and food additives, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and paper products.
  • Workers supporting the safe transportation of chemicals, including those supporting tank truck cleaning facilities and workers who manufacture packaging items
  • Workers supporting the production of protective cleaning and medical solutions, personal protective equipment, and packaging that prevents the contamination of food, water, medicine, among others essential products
  • Workers supporting the operation and maintenance of facilities (particularly those with high risk chemicals and/ or sites that cannot be shut down) whose work cannot be done remotely and requires the presence of highly trained personnel to ensure safe operations, including plant contract workers who provide inspections
  • Workers who support the production and transportation of chlorine and alkali manufacturing, single-use plastics, and packaging that prevents the contamination or supports the continued manufacture of food, water, medicine, and other essential products, including glass container manufacturing

DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE

Sector Profile

The Defense Industrial Base Sector is the worldwide industrial complex that enables research and development, as well as design, production, delivery, and maintenance of military weapons systems, subsystems, and components or parts, to meet U.S. military requirements. The Defense Industrial Base partnership consists of Department of Defense components, Defense Industrial Base companies and their subcontractors who perform under contract to the Department of Defense, companies providing incidental materials and services to the Department of Defense, and government-owned/contractor-operated and government-owned/government-operated facilities. Defense Industrial Base companies include domestic and foreign entities, with production assets located in many countries. The sector provides products and services that are essential to mobilize, deploy, and sustain military operations.

Essential Workforce

  • Workers who support the essential services required to meet national security commitments to the federal government and U.S. Military. These individuals, include but are not limited to, aerospace; mechanical and software engineers, manufacturing/production workers; IT support; security staff; security personnel; intelligence support, aircraft and weapon system mechanics and maintainers
  • Personnel working for companies, and their subcontractors, who perform under contract to the Department of Defense providing materials and services to the Department of Defense, and government-owned/contractor-operated and government-owned/government-operated facilities

Filed Under: Agriculture, Arts & Entertainment, Business, Government, Health, News, State of California

Disaster assistance now available to all California small businesses economically impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

March 20, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to all California small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza announced today.

SBA disaster assistance is now available to all counties within the state of California and the neighboring counties below.

Neighboring Arizona counties: La Paz, Mohave and Yuma; Neighboring Nevada counties:  Clark, Douglas, Esmeralda, Lyon, Mineral, Nye and Washoe; Neighboring Oregon counties:  Curry, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and Lake.

“SBA is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist California small businesses with federal disaster loans. We will be swift in our efforts to help these small businesses recover from the financial impacts of the Coronavirus (COVID-19),” said Administrator Carranza.

SBA Customer Service Representatives will be available to answer questions about SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and explain the application process.

“Small businesses, private non-profit organizations of any size, small agricultural cooperatives and small aquaculture enterprises that have been financially impacted as a direct result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) since Jan. 31, 2020, may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred,” said Carranza.

“These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Disaster loans can provide vital economic assistance to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing,” Carranza added.

Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is based on the financial impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses. The interest rate for private non-profit organizations is 2.75 percent. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years and are available to entities without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155.

The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is Dec. 16, 2020.

For more information about Coronavirus, please visit: Coronavirus.gov.

For more information about available SBA resources and services, please visit: SBA.gov/coronavirus.

Filed Under: Business, News

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23
  • 24
  • 25
  • …
  • 28
  • Next Page »
RepublicServices-Antioch-ad (1)
Monica's dinner 05-26 CCH
Delta-RC-A (2)
Deer-Valley-Chiro-06-22

Copyright © 2026 · · Contra Costa Herald · All Rights Reserved