SBDC webinar to look at state’s new grant program for shuttered venues

A free webinar today will look at how shuttered entertainment and cultural venues can benefit from the new, $150 million California Venues Grant Program and other government-subsidized pandemic recovery initiatives.

The director of Cal State Bakersfield’s Small Business Development Center, Kelly Bearden, will also take participants through updates to the federal Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, forgiveness of Paycheck Protection Program loans and information about the California Relief Grant program.

Bearden will be joined by Megan Hodapp, who serves as small business finance center manager at the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank, also known as iBank. The two of them expect to share information on how small businesses can get capital through the California Small Business Loan Guarantee Programs including the Disaster Relief Loan, Farm Loan and Jump Start Loan guarantee programs.

There will be an opportunity during the hourlong event to ask questions live. Sign up in advance at www.tinyurl.com/BusinessRelief84.

Kaiser Permanente and the Bakersfield Police Department will host a drive-thru for the community to properly dispose of unwanted or expired prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Community members can drive through Kaiser Permanente at 3501 Stockdale Highway. The drive-thru will also accept eyeglasses, hearing aids, electronic waste, clothing, furniture, cell phones with chargers, sit down walkers, walkers, scooters, power wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs and bath transfer benches.

Volunteers will be on site to unload items. Kaiser asks all to wear a mask and remain in their vehicle.