*Update March 23, 2020: In compliance with California's statewide ordinance, the Chamber's physical office is closed and staff is working remotely. Business hours remain the same and our phonelines are open. If you are in dire need of a Certificate of Origin, please email Nancy Lindholm with at least 24 hours notice to set up an appointment. 

To our valued Chamber members and supporters:
 
By the time you read this, there will likely be multiple updates and developments in the unprecedented Coronavirus pandemic we are confronted with.
 
We have cancelled all Chamber meetings and events until further notice.
 
However, we are by your side to help our business community address the exceptional challenges we face today. Our intention is to staff the Chamber office as long as our public health officials deem it is appropriate. If we are faced with mandatory closure, staff will do everything possible remotely to keep the Oxnard Chamber operational.
 
In the meantime, we would like to ask you to share your best practices in addressing today's challenges by dropping us an email or posting in our new Facebook Group. Together, we just might be able to come up with some innovative ways to address an unprecedented state of affairs.
 
The health of our Chamber team is of utmost importance as well. As we endeavor to keep the office open, we ask that inquires be directed to us via phone calls, emails, or social media posts. Thank you for your consideration.

With gratitude,
Nancy Lindholm
President & CEO, Oxnard Chamber of Commerce

BUSINESS UPDATES FROM THE CITY OF OXNARD

• Effective March 19, 2020: Commercial and residential evictions are suspended in Oxnard during the Coronavirus emergency.
• Effective March 19, 2020: There will be no restrictions on the hours of delivery to establishments that provide food and essential products, such as medicine, to the public; There will be no restrictions on drive thru hours to establishments that provide food and essential products, such as medicine, to the public.
• Effective March 17, 2020: Business tax payments in Oxnard can be made through dropboxes located outside of 214 South C Street, Oxnard, or mailed to that address; The city is waiving penalties during the emergency.

LOCAL RESOURCES

• VC Emergency: Official Ventura County Incident Information Source | En Espanol
• Ventura County Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan for the Coronavirus
• Economic Development Collaborative: COVID-19 Business Resource Guide
• City of Oxnard news updates (English and Spanish) 
• City of Oxnard Economic Development Department (includes links for resources, guidance and disruption loans)
  

STATE RESOURCES

• March 30: Governor Newsom Signs Executive Order Providing Tax, Regulatory and Licensing Extensions for Businesses 
• California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development
  (GO-Biz) FAQ for California Small Businesses.
• California Chamber of Commerce: Resources page for employers
• California Department of Public Health​

NATIONAL RESOURCES

• US Chamber of Commerce: Coronavirus Emergency Loans - Small Business Guide and Checklist
• Government Response to Coronavirus, COVID-19
• US Small Business Association resources and services regarding Coronavirus
• US Chamber of Commerce: Combating the Coronavirus - Resources | Response | Impact
• US ​Small Business Association Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus

CHAMBER MEMBER STRATEGIES, RESOURCES AND RESPONSES
What is your business or organization doing in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, other than closing down? If you have information and strategies that may help other members, please let us know by emailing info@oxnardchamber.org or posting in our official Oxnard Chamber Facebook Group. We will add your comments here. 

Aera Energy
Aera has given Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) $50,000 in immediate funding to be distributed through the Ventura County Rapid Response Fund for COVID-19 recovery efforts. On top of the donation, Aera is challenging our community to contribute matching funds, in any amount, in an effort to increase support for nonprofit organizations addressing the needs of individuals and families with food and housing support, childcare, wage replacement, mental health care, and more. during this pandemic. Read the VCCF press release>>

From SEED Beauty/Colour Pop
While the company has ceased manufacturing operations, it has: 

• Donated 2,000 health care masks to the County of Ventura Office of Emergency Services.  These critically needed masks will be used for the protection of front-line personnel in the fight against COVID-19.  Another 1,000 masks, 1,000 gloves and cover suits, were delivered to the Ventura County Office of Emergency Services. 
• As part of the Company’s philanthropic tradition, SEED Beauty also donated $10,000 to Food Share of Ventura County, in an effort to ensure that children, families and seniors have access to healthy and nutritious food during these uncertain times.
• Seed Beauty team members are currently working with the Ventura County Office of Emergency Services to pivot the company's personal care products manufacturing capacity toward the production of critically needed surface sanitizing products and hand sanitizer. 
• Seed Beauty convened a company-wide procurement task force to use their expertise to source needed materials and products from around the globe which are in high need in Ventura County during the COVID-19 crisis. 

From Haas Automation: 
Haas Automation has purchased a FeverScanner M3000L, which uses infrared technology to scan/screen the temperatures of individuals for fever-like symptoms. Learn more about this technology>>

Food Share Ventura County (via Ventura County Star): 
Employees and volunteers are wearing gloves, keeping space between each other as they work, and the organization has hired a professional cleaning crew. They also are looking for more volunteers and finding ways to buy bulk groceries due to the public's panic buying. Read the full story>>

No Limits for Deaf Children
No Limits will continue REMOTELY by providing telemedicine, with individual AVT therapy, literacy, Teen Club, live streaming of language enriched activities, academic tutoring and parent classes. They will be providing resources via their website and Tips of the Day via social media. Read their update>>

The Collection at RiverPark (via press release)
Through April 3, the shopping center will modify operating hours to the following: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm Monday through Saturday and 12:00-6:00 pm on Sunday.

• Individual stores may have reduced or extended hours. Please check with stores directly to get their latest information.
• As a measure to support our community, restaurants and grocers, The Collection at RiverPark will be offering additional short-term and curbside parking options. 

The Collection has instituted the following measures:

• Suspend all common area events through April 4, 2020 to encourage social distancing.
• Cleaning and sanitizing commonly used touch-points throughout the center on a regular/recurring basis using a highly effective sanitizer including common area restrooms, door handles, faucets, countertops, soap dispensers, trash receptacles, benches, handrails, elevator push buttons, stairway handrails, drinking fountains, light switches, drawer pulls, etc.
• Cleaning and sanitizing tenant door knobs, handles, push bars of each storefront
• Cleaning and sanitizing children’s playground.

​Read their update>>

Gold's Gym Oxnard (via Facebook)
They made their GOLD's AMP at-home, digital fitness/training program free for all current members through May 31, 2020. Read their post>>

In the days leading up to the California Primary, 2020 Oxnard Leadership Program participants went behind-the-scenes with City of Oxnard and County of Ventura officials to gain a better understanding of our local government. The day was coordinated by Tom Cady, a Lifetime Director on the Oxnard Chamber Board of Directors. The day began at the Ventura County Government Center with a comprehensive overview of California's government structure from Cady.

​John Zaragoza, 5th District Supervisor for Ventura County, explained how the Board of Supervisors collaborates to work on behalf of the county. He explained in detail the accomplishments in District 5, specifically the programs created to assist disadvantaged communities.
Scroll through the photos. ​

​Darin Kettle, Executive Director of the Ventura County Transportation Commission, discussed transportation related issues as it pertains to climate change, traffic, and funding infrastructure.

In recent years, many consumers have significantly increased their time spent streaming video, both on websites and through OTT (Over the Top Television). The management team at West Coast Media saw this as a great opportunity to enable its clients to target this upscale audience.
 
In short, West Coast Media offers guaranteed placement on premium websites at rates 20-25% lower than its competitors. In addition, many former cable television viewers have “cut the cord” and are now streaming video on popular broadcast and cable OTT Networks like ESPN, ABC, CNN, NBC, Fox News, etc. using providers such as Sling TV, Pluto TV, Tubi, Fubo TV and many others. West Coast Media enables its clients to reach these elusive and desirable viewers, again at rates 20-25% lower than the competition. 
 
West Coast Media's long-standing relationships in the streaming space have enabled it to pre-negotiate the lowest possible rates, while its competitors typically utilize three-to-four middlemen and rely on the costly programmatic buying process. By combining superior ad placement with the lowest possible rates, West Coast Media offers the best path to successful campaigns.
 
You’ll find many of West Coast Media's other digital solutions on its website - www.westcoastmedia.us -  and it provides excellent production capabilities that meet all budgetary and creative needs.
 
For more information or to schedule a meeting to discuss this opportunity, please contact Managing Director Bill Dietz, who is based here in Oxnard.  His contact information is below:
 
Bill Dietz, Managing Director
L.A. and Ventura County
805-575-8824
bill@westcoastmedia.us
www.westcoastmedia.us

​OXNARD, Calif., FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Do you know the best-of-the-best in Oxnard? The Oxnard Chamber wants to hear from you!
 
For 70 years the Oxnard Chamber has been honoring the city’s top individuals, businesses and organizations at its annual Community & Business Awards. The deadline for nominations for 2020 awardees is Friday, March 27. This year’s categories recognize Oxnard’s:

• Distinguished Citizen of the Year
• Business Advocate of the Year
• Volunteer of the Year
• Young Professional of the Year
• Large Business of the Year
• Small Business of the Year
• Nonprofit Organization of the Year
• Innovative Business of the Year
• Best Place to Work of the Year

 
Nominations are open to the public. Nominations can be completed online at: http://bit.ly/cbawardsform20.

​The nomination form can also be downloaded from the Chamber website and emailed to info@oxnardchamber.org or faxed to (805) 604-7331.
 
The 70th Annual Community & Business Awards will be held Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. at Courtyard by Marriott in Oxnard (600 E. Esplanade Drive). Reservations are required in advance and are $60 per person. Event sponsorship opportunities also are available. Visit www.oxnardchamber.com or call the Chamber to register or become a sponsor.
 
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ABOUT THE OXNARD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Oxnard Chamber of Commerce is a catalyst for business growth, a convener of leaders and influencers, and a champion for a stronger community. Founded in 1908, today the Chamber empowers 500 businesses and organizations that employ more than 35,000 people. It promotes the business and economic well-being of Oxnard’s diverse community to benefit enterprises, large and small, through advocacy, networking, education, services, business exposure and promotion. Learn more at OxnardChamber.org.