News

Small business newsletter for July 2024

Updates, trainings, announcements, and more, from the Office of Small Business
July 09, 2024

This month’s newsletter features new opportunities, information about laws and regulations that impact small businesses, and events to help strengthen or grow your business.  

Beyond these monthly notices, our office has staff dedicated to helping entrepreneurs start or grow a business, navigate permitting, find and secure a lease, and more.  

Here are some quick links to explore how these services may help start, sustain, or grow your business: 

Announcements  

New commercial leasing search tool 

Business owners can now search online for available commercial spaces, using a tool called LoopLink. This service is free for the public, offered by the Office of Small Business. Business owners can search for locations by type, size, location, and more.  

Learn more and search at sf.gov/commercialspaces 

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) increases rebate for commercial water-saving equipment 

The SFPUC is increasing its commercial equipment rebate from $1 to $7 for every 748 gallons of water saved, effective July 1, 2024. This is to encourage more businesses to reduce their water use. Eligible projects must achieve a water savings of 75,000 gallons or more a year to qualify. 
 
Eligible customers may apply for a rebate for more than one project to replace or upgrade commercial-grade equipment in restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, hotels, medical and research facilities, office high-rises, and manufacturing companies.  

Learn more about the rebates 

SB 478 and 1524 updates: New state laws about pricing transparency 

SB 1524 has been signed into law, clarifying and defining the language in SB 478, including what restaurants, bars, or other food service providers need to do in order to comply. The revised language states that for restaurants, bars, or other food service providers, or for a contract for banquet or catering service providers, any service charge, mandatory gratuity, or other mandatory fee or charges needs to be clearly and conspicuously displayed, with an explanation of its purpose, on any advertisement, menu, or other display that contains the price of the food or beverage item. 
 
Read the full text of the bill as amended 

SF Main Public Library seeking a cafe operator 

Proposals are due July 17 

The San Francisco Public Library is now accepting proposals for an experienced café operator to serve the visitors and patrons of the Main Branch. 

Read the details in the Request for Proposals (RFP) 

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 

Complete a survey about community needs 

The SF Department on the Status of Women is conducting an anonymous community needs assessment and would like to hear from SF small business owners. The survey asks about your experiences living, working, or going to school in SF. 

Complete the survey 

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 employer.services@sfgov.org 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. 

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: sfosb@sfgov.org.  

Upcoming  

New law requiring bars serving spirits to offer drug testing devices 

Took effect July 1, 2024 

The new state law requires businesses with Type 48 licenses to offer drug testing devices for sale or at no cost to patrons. Businesses will need to have signage and are responsible for procuring testing kits. 

Learn more 

SF minimum wage and other annual labor rate updates 

Took effect July 1, 2024 

Minimum wage in San Francisco increased to $18.67. Read more and download the new employer posters. 

Health Care Accountability Ordinance (HCAO) Fee Rate increased to $6.75 per hour with a weekly maximum cap of $270. Read more and download materials. 

New CA employer requirement: Violence Prevention Plan 

Took effect July 1, 2024 

To comply with this law, all employers in California must provide employees with an annual training and a plan to prevent workplace violence. Employers are also required to develop and maintain records of workplace violence hazard assessments, violent incident logs, and workplace violence incident investigations.  

Learn more and download a template for the plan 

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 

GT Ventures grant for young, Black entrepreneurs  

Deadline to apply: Sep 2 

This grant is for Black youth and young adults ages 7-24 who are looking to start a non-profit or business. In addition to the grant funds, the recipient will receive an 18-month mentorship and access to our incubator of industry leaders.     

Learn more and apply 

Legacy Business Spotlight 

Heritage Happy Hour at The Dubliner 

July 11, 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. The Dubliner is Noe Valley’s neighborhood sports bar.  

Webinars & Events       

July 11 

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. 

Sign up 

July 17 

Fix Your Digital Marketing 

In one workshop, learn how to audit your digital presence with hands-on help from an expert with years of experience in digital marketing. Hosted by the SF Public Library 

Register 

July 17-Aug 21  

Building Your Marketing Strategy 

This 6-week online training series is broken down into a different marketing building block that you work on with Christina Hunt, the instructor and Digital Marketing expert, and the overall group. Hosted by the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center. 

Learn more 

July 18 

Virtual Legal Clinic

Get free business law advice at the monthly virtual legal clinic from Legal Services for Entrepreneurs. Be sure to register in advance. Please select the 1-hour appointment time you prefer.  

Sign up 

July 29 

Selling Your Products Wholesale 

This workshop will cover the basics of expanding a business to sell wholesale, including the types of wholesale options and the process it takes to sell wholesale. Hosted by the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center. 

Register 

Aug 5 

Restaurant Management 

This seminar is for restaurant owners to learn how to manage your business operations. Hosted by the Northern California Small Business Development Center.  

Register 

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 shopdinesf@sfgov.org.  

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