Exclusive conference call lets small-business owners know of vital California resources available to them to help deal with the COVID-19 crisis.
State Treasurer Fiona Ma talked with NFIB California members on a conference call on April 8, pointing out state resources available to them and answering their questions. Joining Ma were Daniel Sieu, project director for the Minority Business Development Agency, a federal agency, and, Luke Wake, senior staff attorney with the NFIB Small Business Legal Center.
“We are the state’s bank, so we stay open,” said Ma about the Treasurer’s Office. Ma suggested to NFIB members that they check the Treasurer’s Office website for the latest developments and be sure to visit the 2020 Small Business Resources page, which lists federal, state, local, nonprofit, and private assistance available.
The Treasurer encouraged members to also examine the California Capital Access Program run by her department and the Small Business Finance Center run by the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank). She also invited members to continue to ask her questions through her special webpage, [email protected]
NFIB members from Bakersfield, La Quinta, Mission Viejo, Oakland, San Martin, Rancho Cordova, and Yuba City called in with questions for the guests. It was heartening to hear one member who vowed not to give up his 43-year-old business without a fight, and his praise for NFIB’s efforts to get its members the information and support they needed was thanked by NFIB California State Director John Kabateck, who hosted the conference call.
“Our members are aware of the two major federal resources available to them, but many may not know about state and local help,” said Kabateck. “You have to have the information first before you can access the resources, so we’ve been in overdrive to make sure our members are aware. We’re extremely grateful for Treasurer Ma’s help and guidance and her desire to help small businesses through their hour of need.”
A podcast with Isabel Guzman, Director of the Office of Small Business Advocate in the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, was held April 1 about resources available to small-business owners. It can be listened to here.
Click the arrow on the graphic below to listen to the hourlong conference call with State Treasurer Fiona Ma.
