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An estimated 25% of businesses don’t open again after a major disaster, according to the Institute for Business and Home Safety. Protect your business by identifying the risks relevant to your location, both natural and man-made. Then, keep your plan of action updated.  

Preserve your equipment and business records by referencing this IRS guide on how to protect your information before an emergency strikes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also offers an emergency preparedness checklist and toolkit online.   

Here are helpful preparedness tips to learn before an emergency strikes – not during.

• Train your employees in general fire safety, especially for tasks with a high-fire risk, like welding and cutting, fueling vehicles, working with flammable liquids, etc.
• If your office roof is accessible by ladder, prop it against the building so you and firefighters have access to the roof.
• Establish an evacuation plan and keep it current. Plan primary and secondary exits from your buildings. Consider how employees will escape if doors or windows are blocked by an exterior fire.
• Build a personal “go bag” for your cubicle or office that’s easily accessible if you need to evacuate your work location.
• Keep appropriate emergency supplies on hand, including flashlights, battery-powered portable radio, extra batteries, first-aid kit, manual can opener, non-perishable food and bottled water. 

For more information and tips on how to be prepared for an emergency, visit sdge.com/safety and sdge.com/emergency.

According to the EPA's ENERGY STAR® program, U.S. small businesses together spend a whopping $60 billion on energy each year. A survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) found that energy costs are a top three business expense for more than one-third of the nation's small businesses.

But small businesses also have significant energy savings potential. Depending on the building and business type, small businesses can reduce their energy without sacrificing service or comfort. Here are some ideas: 

• Conduct an energy audit. SDG&E’s Business Energy Solutions program provides an on-site no-cost energy audit. Learn more at sdge.com/BES.

• Get employees invested. Saving energy is a team sport, not the sole responsibility of the business owner. Encourage staff to share innovative ideas on how to cut down energy costs – creating an energy efficient work culture.

• Plant trees. Plant shady trees outside of your business to keep your building cool and help clean the air. Depending on your location, vegetation can help weather the summer heat and chilly winter winds. 

• Plug leaks with weather stripping and caulking. It's important to locate any leaks in your business to prevent costly heating and cooling loss. You can easily plug leaks with weather stripping and caulking to efficiently manage your ventilation.

• Install occupancy sensors. Install dimmers and occupancy sensors in proper locations to automatically turn off lighting. It's important to ensure that the sensors are properly installed. Even good equipment can be installed incorrectly, like being installed in an obstructed location (e.g., behind a coat rack, door, bookcase or other furniture).

• Turn off unused equipment. Office computer monitors are an easy way to save on your business's energy bill as they use a lot of energy. Ensure that monitors are set on automatic sleep mode during non-working hours or are manually turned off when not in use. Screen savers do not reduce energy use by monitors.

• Reduce paper usage. Paper and printing can be costly for your business. Print only when necessary and double-sided when you do. This will reduce paper waste and help cut the energy required to run your printer, which reduces your energy costs and may extend the life of your printer.

• Install hand dryers. Use hand dryers instead of paper towels. As paper towel dispensers need to be refilled, they are a constant, recurring cost and more expensive than automatic hand dryers in the long run. It’s also less mess and reduces waste.

• Insulate your water heater. If your business's water heater is older than seven years, be sure to wrap it in insulation to retain water heat.

• Examine your energy use online. You can track and monitor your business’s energy usage by signing up for My Account at sdge.com/MyAccount.

A Virtual Open House from the California Main Street Alliance

Save the Date

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 19 for the California Main Street Fall Open House 2021! In lieu of hosting a full conference this fall, this year's Open House will provide an opportunity for California Main Streeters to learn best practices, key trends, and economic development strategies as well as a chance to hear exciting news about the future of the California Main Street Alliance as a program and Network.

Hosted Tuesday, October 19 from 9-12pm PT

Agenda

Our morning together will include: trainings, a presentation of the 2021 Work Plan and Member Engagement, CAMS Rebranding Launch, Member Roll Call, details on our 2022 conference, and more!

Get Involved

Have ideas for training topics and/or guest speakers? Kindly send your ideas to Board Member Alicia Gallo by August 24.
Email Alicia.

More Details Coming Soon!

Check out our California Main Street Alliance Facebook page to keep up-to-date on the latest conference news.

Deadline to Apply is Friday, Sept. 24 at 5 p.m.

The City of San Diego in partnership with The San Diego Foundation are offering the Small Business & Nonprofit Relief Fund. Here are the facts:
 

Application deadline: Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. (PT)

The grants are NOT first-come, first-served. Focus on accuracy over early.

Must be located in the city of San Diego.

Must have been in business prior to April 1, 2020.

Self-employed workers, independent contractors, sole proprietors, and corporations with no more than 100 employees.

Net profits under $150,000 or gross revenue under $250,000 (as reported for 2019).

Learn more, get help, and apply on our website at SDReliefGrant.com!

Find out more and apply

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This month’s topics: electrical and power tool safety, energy-saving tips at work, on-demand energy webinars.

POWER TOOL AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT SAFETY

Chances are, you use power tools for projects at work and home. Working with power tools requires skilled instruction and training and can be deadly if not properly used or maintained.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides these power tool safety tips:

1. Use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) with every power tool to protect against electric shocks.
2. Do not use power tools with an extension cord that exceeds 100 feet in length.
3. Never use power tools near live electrical wires or water pipes.
4. Use extreme caution when cutting or drilling into walls where electrical wires or water pipes could be accidentally touched or penetrated.
5. If a power tool trips a safety device while in use, take the tool to a manufacturer-authorized repair center for service.
6. When working with electricity, use tools with insulated grips.
7. Appropriate protective gear should be worn when using power tools like safety goggles, dust masks and gloves as recommended for each tool.
8. Do not use power tools without the proper guards.
9. When using a wet-dry vacuum cleaner or a pressure washer, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid electric shock.
10. Safeguards on outdoor electric tools are there for a reason. Make sure that they are always in place before operating.

For more electrical safety tips, visit sdge.com/safety.

Aliro Marking has some great instructions to help make your Facebook and Instagram Accounts more secure.

I am writing today because I am noticing a lot more successful (!) malicious hacking to Facebook & Instagram accounts and wanted to pass along some detailed instructions on how you can make your personal accounts safer so you don't lose control over your business pages.
To be clear, these instructions are for your personal accounts - but it does affect your business accounts on these platforms! Here's what's happening: Hackers get into your personal Facebook account & remove you as admin from your own business page in an attempt to extort you for money to get your business page back .... or you lose control of your business page altogether.
 

For more information don't hesitate to reach out. Click here to visit Aliro Marketing on Facebook page or call (619) 203-1565.

- Alicia Shapiro

Hello,

My name is Stevani Jajo with Miramar General Engineering, the City of San Diego Contractor. We are applying for a Moratorium Waiver with the City of San Diego for Sidewalk Replacement Group 1901 (K-20-1866-DBB-6). This is a construction notice for the work needed for completion in the Ocean Beach area at the following addresses, under the instructions from the City of San Diego:

• Location 149: 4934 Niagara Avenue; removal of vulgar graffiti
• Location 150: 4874 Del Monte Avenue; removal of graffiti
• Location 166: 4801 Santa Monica Avenue
• Location 191: 4939-4845 Long Branch Avenue; fix asphalt deficient
• Location 115: 732 Cordova Street; fix lip between new & existing sidewalk panels
• Location 135: 4803 Bermuda Avenue; fix lip between new & existing sidewalk panels
• Location 334: 2141 Spray Street; flush lip between new & existing panels
• Location 339: 5041 Brighton Avenue; remove all extra concrete and backfill
• Location 341: 2090 Bacon Street on Brighton Avenue; curb repair
• Location 344: 5049 Cape May Avenue

We will be completing each location in a span of two days from the start date of each location. The impacts the neighborhood may have are as follows:

• Parking restrictions because of the presence of construction equipment and materials
• Please find alternative parking for days listed (M-F 7:30am-3:30pm)
• “No Parking” signs will be displayed 72 hours in advance of work. Cars parked in violation of signs will be TOWED.
• Temporary sidewalk and/or partial road closures, traffic re-routing, parking, and access restrictions during hours of operation.

Stevani Jajo | Administrative Assistant
Office |619.434.5900 - Fax |858.408.7191
1827 Cleveland Ave., National City, CA 91950

The County’s Small Business Stimulus Grant is now open and accepting applications! Any interested business can apply on the County’s website here: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/stimulusgrant.html

There are FAQs and application instructions on the website if anyone has questions.