Join the MEHKO Outreach Cohort | SSBCI TA Hotline

In this Must Know…

Apply for the MEHKO Outreach Cohort by July 15, 2024, and other MEHKO updates
SSBCI TA Hotline RFP
State Policy Update
Last week, CalMatters published an article on the fight to save TAP funding, featuring interviews with CAMEO Network CEO Carolina Martinez and Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center alum Lina Mills.
This week’s Goodie Highlight is the first episode of the CalAsian Chamber’s new Space at the Table podcast, featuring CalOSBA Director Tara Lynn Gray.

MEHKO Updates

Currently, 15 California counties and one municipality have authorized Micro Enterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) ordinances. But the majority of Californians are not aware of the existence and potential benefits of MEHKOs.

The MEHKO Outreach Cohort aims to build public awareness and support for MEHKOs to create a more favorable environment for these small businesses to succeed and contribute to local food systems. COOK Alliance and CAMEO Network will facilitate the training for the cohort, using an outreach toolkit and implementation plan to familiarize the public and potential cooks about MEHKOs in newly legalized areas. Participants will receive $7,500. The deadline to submit proposals is July 15, 2024.

Additionally, COOK Alliance is now accepting applications for the next cohorts of COOK Academy, a dynamic education program designed for culinary micro-entrepreneurs with home-based food businesses. This eight-week online program offers a $3,000 grant to empower cooks in kick starting or expanding their own MEHKO business, as well as the essential skills to run it successfully.

Apply for the SSBCI TA Hotline

As part of the SSBCI TA program, CAMEO Network will create a hotline for participating organizations to answer questions on legal, accounting, and finance topics so they can better serve their clients and help them get capital ready.

We are looking for a legal services provider and an accounting and financial services provider to staff the hotline. Applications are due July 3, 2024.

State Policy Update

CAMEO Network’s co-sponsored bills will be heard in Assembly committees within the next two weeks, and opposition is coming out strong so we need your help!

SB 1103 (Menjivar – Small Commercial Tenant Protections) will be heard in the Asm. Judiciary Committee on June 25. Email your representatives to show your support!
SB 1286 (Min – Decency in Small Business Debt Collection) will be heard in the Asm. Banking Committee on July 1. Sign on to support!
SB 1482 (Glazer/Limon – Commercial Financing Protections) will also be heard in the Asm. Banking Committee on July 1. Sign on to support!

The Goodies

Member Kudos

SBAN has awarded grants to six organizations to conduct case studies of their community ownership efforts, including CAMEO Network members Little Tokyo Community Impact Fund and MEDA.
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) has been chosen as a 2024 California Nonprofit of the Year by State Senator Monique Limón.

Funding & Resources

Wells Fargo’s Open for Business Growth grant program will provide funding for organizations helping established small businesses from underserved communities. Applications are due June 28, 2024.
Listen to the first episode of the CalAsian Chamber’s new Space at the Table podcast, featuring CalOSBA Director Tara Lynn Gray.

Virtual Events

Join the CEMI webinar, “Best Practices for Building & Growing Funding Partnerships” on June 24, 2024 at 2:30pm PT.
Join Working Solutions’ Game Changer Series session about Bay Area Black Communities on June 27, 2024 at 1:00pm PT.

Other Goodies

For Your Clients: Joule Case and Food Truck Operator are hosting an educational webinar on June 25, 2024 at 8:00am PT, aimed at food truck operators interested in alternative power solutions.
Jobs: Transform, NCRC, Inclusive Action, and RCAC announced new jobs recently. See who else is hiring!