OEWD updates grants and venue fund as venues reopen

Ben Van Houten of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development told the commission the California Venues Grant Program (a $150 million state program) is accepting applications through Nov. 19 and that local operators should use webinars and OEWD materials to apply. He also urged venues to seek help accessing the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) and mentioned the storefront vandalism relief grant and the city's "first year free" program waiving first-year permit and registration fees for new businesses.

"This is a $150,000,000 program that was part of the state budget earlier this year," Van Houten said of the Venues program. He noted the Venue Fund can now accept online donations and that staff expect a second round of grants in January to support eligible music and entertainment venues.

Van Houten emphasized outreach channels for getting the word out to venues and said OEWD maintains a resource page to help businesses claim the ERTC and other relief programs. The commission thanked him for the update and asked about outreach strategies; Van Houten said the city is using newsletters, OEWD and small-business channels, and venue stakeholder networks to reach independent venues.