COVID-19: 5 Year Reflection

Since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, many lives were lost, and countless families were forever impacted by its toll. COVID-19 altered and reshaped every aspect of life, from how we work to how we communicate, and beyond.

During this unprecedented time, numerous factors influenced decision-making across all fronts as a result of economic disparities, housing, public transit, industries/jobs/training, technology gaps, education/childcare, remote/essential work, and more.

As we mark the five-year milestone of the pandemic, SAMCEDA reflects on the recovery efforts we participated and contributed to. 

Despite the uncertainty and hope we've faced, SAMCEDA’s dedication to our members, partners, and communities remains unwavering.

Business Liaison for San Mateo County

With the implementation of the Shelter-in-Place order issued for San Mateo County (as part of a six-county Bay Area response), residents were restricted to only the most essential activities. Businesses deemed “essential,” were required to physically close (in compliance with the health orders), placing significant strain on the economy.


[ Seven Bay Area Jurisdictions Order Residents to Stay Home press release ]
 

Designated by the County of San Mateo (as part of their Emergency Operations Center) to be the business liaison for San Mateo County, SAMCEDA was tasked to deploy critical information and provide tools & resources to the business community.

San Mateo County Strong

In the days immediately following the public health orders, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors allocated $3 million of Measure K funds to launch the San Mateo County Strong Fund (SMC Strong) to provide immediate emergency relief for:

  • Individuals/families (housing/shelter, food, clothing, and financial assistance) 
  • Small local businesses (relief and/or liquidity for small businesses)
  • Non-profits (provide flexible operating support to nonprofit organizations)


 

Through the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the San Mateo County Strong Fund was established as a fund specific to San Mateo County to ensure that 100% of all private and public funds raised remained within the county. 

SAMCEDA worked with the County of San Mateo’s County Executive Office and the San Mateo Credit Union (now known as Monterra Credit Union) to develop the small business assistance program for the fund (including framework of the application process, eligibility requirements, evaluation methods, and funding procedures). The structure was designed to support ongoing grant-making phases as additional funding was secured.

While the County’s initial allocation of Measure K funds would support 100 small business grants, the demand of the number of applicants received was much greater.

SAMCEDA led the fundraising efforts by targeting major donors, cities, and community members.


[ San Mateo County Strong Investor Report: March - June 2020 ]
 

As generous contributions from donors and vital federal government funding were received, the ongoing phases of grant-making not only expanded but also evolved in scope and impact. 

SAMCEDA and the County worked closely with elected officials, cities, local chambers of commerce, and a range of community-based organizations to raise awareness about available small business grants.

To ensure the message reached a broad and diverse audience, a multilingual outreach strategy was implemented, featuring a marketing campaign with printed/digital flyers and a dedicated application assistance hotline (in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Tagalog).

SAMCEDA greatly appreciates the contributions of all its donors and the support from our partners (the County of San Mateo, Office of Community Affairs, Monterra Credit Union, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the Peninsula Chinese Business Association, Environmental Innovations, and other organizations) with raising the awareness of the grants and deploying the funds. 

Communications

With so much uncertainty during the pandemic, SAMCEDA became the trusted go-to source by disseminating COVID-19 and business updates.


[ During the pandemic, SAMCEDA adjusted its website to
include COVID-19 information, tools, and resources 
for the public and business community ]
 

SAMCEDA informed members, chambers, elected officials, cities/towns, and other stakeholders, as well as the public, with the latest information, business & general updates, opportunities, and findings (through presentations/virtual meetings, emails, social media platforms, and more).

Partnerships & Collaboration 

SAMCEDA worked cross-functionally with government agencies, elected officials, local chambers of commerce, foundations, and business/community-based organizations across the county on issues where the business community could both provide and receive support.


[ County of San Mateo's Stay Safe & Shop Local campaign ]
 

Some examples include (partial list):