VTA's Business Resource Program

In 2019, VTA convened a Small Business Task Force (SBTF) consisting of local groups who reflect the diverse people and businesses in Santa Clara County. They represent the smallest microbusinesses and larger retail companies to unique storefronts and skilled service providers. The cadre has solid grassroots and understanding of the economic environment, trials of entrepreneurs, and challenges unique to the whereabouts of businesses in their communities. The SBTF was assembled to:

• Act as points of contact for the business community leading up to and through construction
• Receive and relay updates to the business community and relevant stakeholders on the Phase II Project resources that may be available to business owners
• Provide VTA with real-time feedback from small businesses along the Phase II Project corridor
• Inform the Small Business Resource Study
• Provide feedback on VTA's proposed Business Resource Program

The SBTF meets as needed to discuss project updates and advancements for program success. The following organizations are part of the SBTF:

• The Alameda Business Association
• Latino Business Foundation
• Minority Business Consortium
• Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce
• Etc.

The BRP provides four areas of assistance for businesses located along the project corridor described below. All project-area businesses can opt-in to receive some level of general assistance.

1. Signage and Wayfinding – implementation of signage that will clarify roadway/sidewalk closures as well as the operating status of local businesses. These business signs are separate from signs already planned for informing the public regarding construction and project info at/around construction staging areas.
2. Shop Local Marketing (Eat, Shop, Play José) – implementation of a dedicated marketing campaign to ensure people continue patronizing local shops during periods of prolonged construction. This initiative is the Eat, Shop, Play (ESP) campaign and has the potential to assist local establishments well beyond the BSVII construction schedule.
3. Small Business Development – includes one-on-one assistance with items such as assistance with access to capital (loans, grants), business planning and management, marketing support, financial management, and accounting and bookkeeping training and support.
4. Direct Financial Assistance – provide financial assistance to directly impacted small local businesses through the deployment of grants to aid with various operating expenses from general utility costs to rent relief. The Program’s grants will allow small local businesses to build cash buffers necessary for less profitable times of the year.

To see if your business meets the need for any of the four assistance types described above, please review the following eligibility criteria. Please note that the BRP excludes liquor stores, adult stores, tobacco/smoke shops, ammunition, and all other categories deemed inappropriate for public promotion by VTA Legal. Business owners will be asked to sign a waiver approving VTA’s use of images if applicable.

At a minimum, the business must:

• Have a current San José Business Tax Certificate Number
• Be immediately adjacent to the rail corridor. This refers to a business whose property line abuts or faces the rail corridor or a designated construction staging or construction storage area, including businesses situated above tunnel construction areas. This map (correct and use descriptive text)can be used to confirm the above information.
• Locally owned, for-profit business with 1-35 employees.

Tier 1 eligible businesses may receive assistance of $10,000 annually. Support for these financial needs qualify under Tier 1 and Tier 2 level of assistance; however, Tier 2 eligible requests may receive assistance of up to (but not to exceed) $20,000 annually during the program.

• Tier 1:
  • Must be currently open and must have been operational on the construction corridor with posted hours of operation before the start of construction.
  • Must be in continuous operation for at least two years along the corridor.
  • If requested, be able to provide financial records and documentation to verify program eligibility, i.e., gross receipts, payroll taxes, bank statements.
  • Must be in good standing with all local, state, and federal taxing and licensing authorities.
• Tier 2:
  • Demonstrate a loss in revenue up to $20,000 after the start of construction in comparison with prior to the start of construction.
  • Eligibility based on full street closures with duration greater than six continues months.

If your business meets the above qualifications, please use this form (correct and use descriptive text) to sign up.

During construction, information will be available through field office postings and a 24/7 hotline accessible in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Tagalog, Portuguese, and Korean. Further information and inquiries can also be found by reaching out to vtabart@vtabsv.com

• BSV Phase II Project Timeline
• City of Santa Clara Traffic and Construction Impacts
• Live construction map

• • Small Business Resources Study (may not legally be able to post)
  • Register for a Business Tax Certificate - Register for a business tax certificate | City of San Jose (sanjoseca.gov)
  • Existing technical assistance providers
  • Links to public meetings regarding the project

In 2019, VTA convened a Small Business Task Force (SBTF) consisting of local groups who reflect the diverse people and businesses in Santa Clara County. They represent the smallest microbusinesses and larger retail companies to unique storefronts and skilled service providers. The cadre has solid grassroots and understanding of the economic environment, trials of entrepreneurs, and challenges unique to the whereabouts of businesses in their communities. The SBTF was assembled to:

• Act as points of contact for the business community leading up to and through construction
• Receive and relay updates to the business community and relevant stakeholders on the Phase II Project resources that may be available to business owners
• Provide VTA with real-time feedback from small businesses along the Phase II Project corridor
• Inform the Small Business Resource Study
• Provide feedback on VTA's proposed Business Resource Program

The SBTF meets as needed to discuss project updates and advancements for program success. The following organizations are part of the SBTF:

• The Alameda Business Association
• Latino Business Foundation
• Minority Business Consortium
• Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce
• Etc.

The BRP provides four areas of assistance for businesses located along the project corridor described below. All project-area businesses can opt-in to receive some level of general assistance.

1. Signage and Wayfinding – implementation of signage that will clarify roadway/sidewalk closures as well as the operating status of local businesses. These business signs are separate from signs already planned for informing the public regarding construction and project info at/around construction staging areas.
2. Shop Local Marketing (Eat, Shop, Play José) – implementation of a dedicated marketing campaign to ensure people continue patronizing local shops during periods of prolonged construction. This initiative is the Eat, Shop, Play (ESP) campaign and has the potential to assist local establishments well beyond the BSVII construction schedule.
3. Small Business Development – includes one-on-one assistance with items such as assistance with access to capital (loans, grants), business planning and management, marketing support, financial management, and accounting and bookkeeping training and support.
4. Direct Financial Assistance – provide financial assistance to directly impacted small local businesses through the deployment of grants to aid with various operating expenses from general utility costs to rent relief. The Program’s grants will allow small local businesses to build cash buffers necessary for less profitable times of the year.

To see if your business meets the need for any of the four assistance types described above, please review the following eligibility criteria. Please note that the BRP excludes liquor stores, adult stores, tobacco/smoke shops, ammunition, and all other categories deemed inappropriate for public promotion by VTA Legal. Business owners will be asked to sign a waiver approving VTA’s use of images if applicable.

At a minimum, the business must:

• Have a current San José Business Tax Certificate Number
• Be immediately adjacent to the rail corridor. This refers to a business whose property line abuts or faces the rail corridor or a designated construction staging or construction storage area, including businesses situated above tunnel construction areas. This map (correct and use descriptive text)can be used to confirm the above information.
• Locally owned, for-profit business with 1-35 employees.

Tier 1 eligible businesses may receive assistance of $10,000 annually. Support for these financial needs qualify under Tier 1 and Tier 2 level of assistance; however, Tier 2 eligible requests may receive assistance of up to (but not to exceed) $20,000 annually during the program.

• Tier 1:
  • Must be currently open and must have been operational on the construction corridor with posted hours of operation before the start of construction.
  • Must be in continuous operation for at least two years along the corridor.
  • If requested, be able to provide financial records and documentation to verify program eligibility, i.e., gross receipts, payroll taxes, bank statements.
  • Must be in good standing with all local, state, and federal taxing and licensing authorities.
• Tier 2:
  • Demonstrate a loss in revenue up to $20,000 after the start of construction in comparison with prior to the start of construction.
  • Eligibility based on full street closures with duration greater than six continues months.

If your business meets the above qualifications, please use this form (correct and use descriptive text) to sign up.

During construction, information will be available through field office postings and a 24/7 hotline accessible in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Tagalog, Portuguese, and Korean. Further information and inquiries can also be found by reaching out to vtabart@vtabsv.com

• BSV Phase II Project Timeline
• City of Santa Clara Traffic and Construction Impacts
• Live construction map

• • Small Business Resources Study (may not legally be able to post)
  • Register for a Business Tax Certificate - Register for a business tax certificate | City of San Jose (sanjoseca.gov)
  • Existing technical assistance providers
  • Links to public meetings regarding the project