Office of Small Business outlines proposed cuts within OEWD; entertainment zones and refrigeration pilots flagged

The Office of Small Business director reported to the Small Business Commission on May 12, 2025, that the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) has identified several rounds of proposed reductions and that department leaders were asked to find an additional $3,000,000 in ongoing cuts. Director Tang said OEWD previously submitted proposed reductions totaling approximately $7,200,000 and that the legacy business program faced a $193,000 cut identified in February; combined with mid‑year actions the program faces roughly $400,000 in reductions for the current year, although unspent carryforward funds have covered obligations to date.

"We are still undergoing that exercise between OEWD to figure out where we're going to identify the additional $3,000,000 in cuts," Director Tang said, and she told commissioners the mayor's proposed budget would be released in early June and proceed to the Board of Supervisors for hearings.

The director clarified that the current request for an additional $3,000,000 is for OEWD as a whole and not solely the Office of Small…