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OEWD updates Entertainment Commission on relief grants, SVO and Prop H implementation
Summary
Ben Van Houten from the Office of Economic and Workforce Development briefed the commission on the mayor's proposed $62 million relief plan (including $12.4M in grants), a proposed $50M loan program, state second-round grants, Save Our Stages timing uncertainty, and automatic refunds for eligible place-of-entertainment fees.
Ben Van Houten, Business Development Manager for Nightlife and the Entertainment Sector at the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, briefed the Entertainment Commission on Feb. 2 about a set of relief measures and program updates for nightlife and small businesses.
Van Houten said the mayor announced a proposed $62 million small-business relief plan that includes $12.4 million in direct grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000, and a proposed $50 million SF Community Investment Loans program targeted at businesses that have been left out of earlier relief efforts. He said the city will publish details and application information on oecd.org/covid19 as programs are finalized.
He also reviewed state and federal programs affecting venues: the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grants second round (state grants up to $25,000) was open with round 2 closing on Feb. 8 and businesses waitlisted from round 1 not needing to reapply; federal Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO/Save Our Stages) grant guidance remained incomplete and timing was uncertain, and the SBA had published an FAQ to help venue operators prepare to apply.
Van Houten announced that businesses that pre-paid certain place-of-entertainment fees and taxes will receive automatic refunds from the Treasurer-Tax Collector rather than needing to submit refund applications. He also reported that implementation work on Proposition H (Save Our Small Business initiative) is underway, with planning department efforts to speed permitting and expand temporary and pop-up uses.
Commissioners asked whether a third-party clearinghouse would again screen grant applications and asked for greater transparency about award decisions. Van Houten said OEWD heard that concern, will consider community partners, and will return with additional details as program rules are finalized.
The commission had no public comment on this item.
