City and County of San Francisco, CA
08/01/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/01/2024 09:55
Small business newsletter for August 2024
Year in Review
The mission of our office is to equitably support, preserve, and protect small businesses in San Francisco. We provide high quality direct services and programs, drive practical policy solutions, and serve as a champion for San Francisco's diverse small business community. Each year, we look back and report on our impact. Here are some highlights:
Since expanding our services to include commercial leasing and permitting support in FY2022-23, the number of cases managed by the Office of Small Business has continued to increase. Between FY2022-23 and FY2023-24, our office experienced 19.4% increase in the number of cases handled.
In June 2024 we launched a new online resource for business owners to conduct their own initial search of available commercial spaces in San Francisco. Our Commercial Leasing Specialist supported 207 business owners in searching for spaces and advising on leasing review, resulting in 37 signed leases.
Policy changes
Our office worked with Mayor Breed, Supervisor Ronen, and the Treasurer & Tax Collector's Office to pass legislation that extended the First Year Free Program for a third year, through June 30, 2025. The First Year Free Program supports small businesses by waiving most fees when starting or expanding a business. It has waived over $3.7 million in fees.
In collaboration with our office and the Department of Public Health, Mayor Breed sponsored legislation to simplify the health permitting for special event food vendors through the creation of an annual permit. This legislation simplifies the application process and consolidates fees; it will go into effect in September.
Our office worked on legislation sponsored by Mayor Breed to adopt a package of over 100 changes to the Planning Code to streamline commercial permitting and allow for greater business flexibility. The legislation took effect January 2024. Subsequent legislation that took
effect April 2024 allows Nighttime Entertainment Uses as principally permitted on the ground floor in the Polk Street Neighborhood Commercial District.
The Mayor's Office, the Department of Building Inspection, the Planning Department, the San Francisco Fire Department, and the Office of Small Business collaborated to develop a pathway to legalize existing awnings and signs without requiring professional, costly drawings of their existing awnings. In June 2024, the Mayor's Office introduced legislation that makes the program and simplified permit application permanent.
Supporting existing businesses
Our office awarded $739,881 in grants to business owners for costs associated with making their business more accessible.
16 business received a grant from our office after experiencing a major fire disaster, totaling $129,000.
The City's ongoing campaign to encourage shopping local featured a pop-up shop, a large Muni bus ad campaign, video campaigns, and "Perfect San Francisco Day" tours.
Upcoming
Business Personal Property tax is due
The Office of Treasurer & Tax Collector has mailed tax bills for unsecured property to taxpayers in July 2024. Penalties will be assessed after September 3rd, 2024.
Get more information about Business Personal Property Tax
Apply for the California Competes Tax Credit
Deadline to apply is Aug 12
The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses for creating full-time jobs by opening or growing a business in CA. Any size or type of biz is eligible.
Visit the state's website for upcoming webinars to learn more
Office of Small Business in the Community
Let us know if you would like the Office of Small Business to visit your corridor and share resources for small businesses. Please send requests to: [email protected].
Announcements
Get help with hiring
The Office of Economic & Workforce Development's Employer Services team is your workforce concierge and can assist your business with promoting jobs, finding local candidates, accessing hiring events, and introductions to workforce community partners.
Contact Employer Services at [email protected] and register your business on the City's job matching resource tool, WorkforceLinkSF.org.
These services are available for bilingual and monolingual employers and employees.
Submit business info for SF Weekender online directory
The SF Weekender online directory and campaign is a new free platform to connect small businesses with attendees of the popular Bhangra and Beats Night Market.
Fill out the SF Weekender Form
Legacy Business Spotlight
Heritage Happy Hour at St. Mary's Pub
August 8, 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Heritage Happy Hours offers a casual "no-host" gathering of heritage professionals, young preservationists, aficionados, friends, and Legacy Business cohorts interested in safeguarding San Francisco's unique architectural and cultural identity. St. Mary's, established in 1933, is the oldest Repeal Bar in San Francisco that has maintained its original name.
Nihonmachi Street Fair
August 3-4, Japantown
The Nihonmachi Street Fair is marking 50 years of illuminating the rich traditions and dazzling diversity of the Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. The Street Fair joined the Legacy Business Registry this April and is the first festival to receive this status.
Webinars & Events
AUG 8
Virtual Office Hours for entrepreneurs
Get feedback on your small business ideas from a business advisor. Learn to structure an initial business idea and start market research. Hosted by the SF Public Library and SF Small Business Development Center.
AUG 12
Food Costing for Profit
This seminar is designed to provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to effectively manage your food costs and set your menu prices for profitability. Hosted by the Norcal Small Business Development Center.
AUG 12-SEP 9
Zero to Food Trucker
This is a 4-week course by the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, to learn how to plan and launch a food truck business. It includes business planning and understanding legal and regulatory requirements.
AUG 15
How to Use AI to Speed Up Your Marketing
This webinar will introduce practical artificial intelligence (AI) tools that can help your business's marketing workflow. Hosted by the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center.
AUG 27
Plan for Business Success
See a demo of Gale Business: Plan Builder, a free comprehensive tool that provides step-by-step guidance on planning, starting, and running a small business or nonprofit. Hosted by the SF Public Library.
SEP 4
Small Business Financial Literacy
Join the SF Small Business Development Center for an in-person event about free and low-cost resources when starting and growing a business. There will be networking and a panel discussion.
Shop Dine SF
A campaign to support businesses in San Francisco. Visit shops, eat at restaurants, and get services and experiences from the small businesses that make San Francisco special.
Visit sf.gov/shopdineSF or follow the campaign on social media to find events and initiatives across San Francisco! Share events supporting businesses and commercial corridors by emailing [email protected].