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The Downtown Design Assistance Loan Pro4ram provides aloes-interest, short-term loan to small businesses in the downtown area to maintain the appearance of their buildings. The funds may be used for general types of activities such as technical design assistance (e.g., for the costs of professional architectural services to develop plans for building improvements); construction work for minor fagade renovations and storefront remodels; installation of upgraded business signage; improvements related to historic preservation; implementation of improvements necessitated by URM (unreinforced masonry) building renovations. The loan shall not exceed $10,000 for a term of five years. The loan principal may be prepaid all or in part at any time without the payment of penalties or premiums. The program was initiated in 1994 using funds from the City's federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Based on changes in how CDBG funds are used, the program is currently being funded by the Ciry's General Fund. In partnership with other Tri-Valley cities, the City of Pleasanton supports initiatives to connect local employers with local employees, including the Tri-Vallev Emolovment Fair and the Teen Job Fair, as well as www.trivalleviobs.com The Tri-Valley Employment Fair held at Las Positas College hosted more than 600 attendees, and the Teen Job Fair continues to be a successful venue for part-time positions for our youth. In December 2008 alone, the trivalleyjobs.com website emailed more than 7,566 job listings to prospective employees and more than 31,252 full job listings were viewed. In 2007, the Tri-Valley cities developed a partnership with the East Bay Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to offer a curriculum of businesses classes to assist small to medium-sized businesses and start-ups through courses, assistance, and business counseling. The seminars cover topics ranging from creating a business plan, to e- marketing, to human resource management, and each class attracts more than 50 attendees. These classes rotate through each of the Tri-Valley cities and are free to any business owner or resident of the Tri-Valley. Most recently, the City has focused additional attention on supporting the work of the Pleasanton Downtown Association and more directly the merchants in the downtown commercial district. Staff directed a holiday marketing campaign designed to encourage Tri-Valley residents to patronize the downtown, and continues to work with the downtown businesses on promoting the district as a vibrant and vital hub of the community. Programs for consideration The City recognizes that many of our businesses may be facing financial challenges due to the current economic downturn. To that end, it is timely to consider instituting additional programs to supplement the City's ongoing support. Staff has identified several ideas that could be piloted either in the downtown commercial district or more broadly throughout Pleasanton. These ideas are conceptual and would warrant additional development by the economic Vitality Committee prior to implementation. Page 6 of 8