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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
With more than 300,000 applications successfully completed, application approval notifications will be sent out Friday, Jan. 15, through Friday, Jan. 22.
Funds will be disbursed over a 45-day verification period beginning Friday, Jan. 22.
A second round of applications will open at 8 a.m. Feb. 2 and will run through 6 p.m. Feb. 8.
Applicants who submitted all necessary documents in the first round and met eligibility requirements, but did not receive a grant, do not need to reapply; their applications will be rolled over for consideration in the second round.
“There is no question that small businesses are hurting, and the reality of this pandemic demands urgent relief now to help those who need it most,” said Dee Dee Myers, GO-Biz director. “Before COVID-19, the 4.1 million small businesses that call this state home created two-thirds of California’s net new jobs and employed nearly half of all private-sector employees. It is crucial that we do everything we can to put more money into the hands of impacted small business owners.”
On Jan. 5, Gov. Newsom previewed his Equitable Recovery for California’s Businesses and Jobs plan – part of his proposed 2021-22 state budget – which called for immediate legislative action on $575 million in additional grants for the California Relief Grant Program.
This investment will add to the initial $500 million allocation announced November 30, bringing the total amount for the Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program to $1.075 billion.
The Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program offers grants up to $25,000 to micro and small businesses and nonprofits that have been impacted by the pandemic.
It is not a first-come, first-served program, nor a rolling approval process. Grants will be distributed across the state, with priority given to regions and industries impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, disadvantaged communities and underserved small business groups. All applications will be considered and prioritized based on impact.
Due to the overwhelming demand, the Round 1 application deadline was extended from Jan. 8 to Jan. 13 to ensure interested small businesses and nonprofits had the opportunity to apply.
Mission-based lenders and small business advisory and technical assistance providers will continue to help small businesses with the application process in multiple languages and formats in the second round.
Many of the state-supported small business centers, which prioritize the expansion of technical assistance to underserved business groups, will also be also available to help.
For more information on grant requirements and eligibility, please visit www.CAReliefGrant.com.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The closing of the agreement between Gallo and Constellation was approved by the Federal Trade Commission on December 23, 2020.
The acquisition includes well-known wine brands such as Arbor Mist, Black Box, Clos du Bois, Estancia, Franciscan, Hogue, Manischewitz, Mark West, Ravenswood, Taylor, Vendange, and Wild Horse that will join the Gallo portfolio.
With this acquisition, Gallo will expand its operational footprint with the addition of five wineries located in California, Washington and New York, along with Constellation's Polyphenolics business.
Gallo will also acquire the Nobilo New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc brand in a separate transaction with Constellation.
"The closing of this transaction represents our company's long-term commitment to the wine industry," said Chief Executive Officer Ernest J. Gallo.
He added, "We are pleased to welcome the new employees joining the Gallo family."
The acquisition was first announced by Gallo and Constellation on April 3, 2019.
Pursuant to the FTC consent order, Gallo will also divest two of its legacy dessert brands, Fairbanks and Sheffield, to Precept Brands LLC. Terms of the transaction between Gallo and Precept were not disclosed.
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- Written by: Governor's Office
“With more than 40 years of experience in state government and the private sector, Rita Saenz is well-prepared to lead EDD at what is sure to be one of the most difficult moments in the Department’s history,” said Gov. Newsom. “Nationally, we are seeing a record number of unemployment claims as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and with that, unprecedented abuse of unemployment systems and fraudulent claims. California has certainly not escaped this national crisis unscathed but with Rita at the helm, we stand ready to ensure payments to Californians who are in desperate need of financial support while simultaneously stopping fraud in our systems and holding people who have committed fraud accountable.”
Newsom added, “I am extremely grateful to Sharon Hilliard and congratulate her on her retirement after 37 years of service at EDD. Sharon is a dedicated public servant and we owe her our gratitude for leading the Department through the pandemic.”
Saenz, 71, of Sacramento, was a consultant at Saenz and Associates from 2016 to 2020. She held several positions at the Xerox Corp. from 2007 to 2016, including director of California Governmental Affairs and director of Communications. At Affiliated Computer Services she was Western Regional Director of Health and Human Services from 2007 to 2009.
She was chief executive officer at the Academy for Coaching Excellence from 2004 to 2007, director at the California Department of Social Services from 1998 to 2004 and chief executive officer at Maria Nemeth Associates LLC from 1983 to 1998.
Saenz served in several positions in the Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. from 1981 to 1983, including appointments secretary and special assistant to appointments. She was director of the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Abuse from 1978 to 1981.
This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $204,864. Saenz is a Democrat.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
This statewide opener ends delays in place due to meat quality in the northern management area, or NMA, and the potential for whale entanglement in the central management area, or CMA.
It also gives the fleet ample time for planning and gear preparation and promotes an orderly start to the fishery.
For the NMA Fishing Zones 1 and 2, the pre-soak period will begin Sunday, Dec. 20, at 8:01 a.m. and for the CMA, Fishing Zones 3, 4, 5 and 6, the pre-soak period will begin Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 6:01 a.m.
Available data indicates some whales remain in the fishing grounds but risk is declining and CDFW supports a balanced approach to managing risk and providing opportunity for the commercial fishery that is grounded in expert science.
Whale entanglement risk still exists, but it is low. Thus, the opening declaration is accompanied by an notice to the fleet to use best fishing practices and avoid areas where whales may be congregating including around the canyon edges of Monterey, and between the Farallon Islands and Point Reyes. Crabbers are encouraged to review the Best Practices Guide and remember to minimize knots and line scope when fishing.
Recent survey data indicate most whales have started their annual migration out of the fishing grounds. Based on these data, CDFW made a preliminary recommendation to open the fishery statewide on Wednesday, Dec. 16. The Whale Entanglement Working Group evaluated all available data and did not provide a consensus recommendation to open or delay. After the Working Group meeting, the majority of ports requested further delay of the opener.
“Our recommendation was to open this Wednesday,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “But after hearing from parts of the fleet expressing a variety of views, and review of additional scientific information provided by Working Group experts, we decided on an additional seven-day delay. This gives the fleet extra time to get ready and get their gear in the water, certainty in that we’re opening statewide, hopefully the chance to get part of the holiday market and an additional seven days for any remaining whales to migrate. We support any additional measures the fleet or specific ports wish to take to minimize entanglements and also understand the additional hardships resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. CDFW staff, collaborators and partners have worked hard to collect data to inform a unified statewide opener.”
Since late October, CDFW in partnership with researchers, federal agencies and the fishing industry has conducted surveys from the Oregon state line to the Channel Islands to observe marine life concentrations. Based on recent aerial surveys and observation data, whales have begun to migrate out of California waters to their winter breeding grounds, which in turn reduces the risk of entanglement when the commercial fishery opens.
Through the course of the crab season, CDFW will engage regularly with the Working Group to review scientific information and advice efforts to minimize the risk of whale and sea turtle entanglements while maximizing fishing opportunity.
Based on that process, CDFW may take additional management actions in response to future risk assessments. For more information related to the risk assessment process or this delay, please visit CDFW’s Whale Safe Fisheries page.
For more information related to the risk assessment process or this delay, please visit CDFW’s Whale Safe Fisheries page or for more information on Dungeness crab, please visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/crab.
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