Hiring across the country is down significantly as the United States reels from the sudden impacts of the novel coronavirus, which has shuttered storefronts and office parks alike. Though some technology sectors have seen gains, the Bay Area hasn’t been spared, new data shows. The Bay Area has seen a 25 percent decline in hiring...
Economy
Economy
Plan unveiled for reopening San Jose small businesses
Plan announced by San Jose officials and regional business leaders would allow a host of retailers and other small businesses to offer outdoor services when stay-at-home order is lifted.
Survival and ruin: Economic experts discuss Silicon Valley’s outlook
If Rip Van Winkle fell asleep after the State of the Valley conference February 14, Joint Venture Silicon Valley CEO Russell Hancock thinks he would be shocked at how the economic outlook flipped 180 degrees in just two months. Hancock sat down Thursday with Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone and Silicon Valley Central Chamber of...
South Bay cities brace for budget cuts, layoffs after coronavirus
Governments across the country are bracing for furloughs, layoffs and service cuts in response to revenue shortfalls dealt by the COVID-19 pandemic, and experts and city officials expect the damages will be felt for some time. Findings from a National League of Cities and the United Conference of Mayors survey published this month reveal that...
Santa Clara County’s unemployment rate rose to 3.3 percent in March
Unemployment rates across California spiked last month following record lows across the state and Silicon Valley, according to data released Friday. Santa Clara County’s unemployment rate rose to 3.3 percent last month, according to the California Employment Development Department, which handles workforce services including Unemployment Insurance. While these preliminary labor market numbers lag several weeks, that’s...
Newsom, local officials tap business leaders to plan economic recovery
Though Californians are likely weeks away from seeing restrictions loosen around the statewide mandate to stay home due to the novel coronavirus, officials are making plans to jump-start the economy. California Gov. Gavin Newsom Friday announced a new task force to “pave the way toward a fast, safe recovery of jobs.” The Task Force on...
Planning for a ‘new normal,’ San Jose launches economic recovery council
San Jose has launched a new advisory council to help map out economic recovery in the tenth-largest U.S. city, as leaders begin mulling the region’s “new normal.” The five co-chairs of the council, announced by Mayor Sam Liccardo on Thursday, will aim to jump-start the region’s economy and help bring back the 200,000 Santa Clara...
California unveils new benefits for unemployed, undocumented
The state of California is fielding 2.7 million unemployment claims filed in the last four weeks alone, putting strain on phone lines and processing times as residents lose hours and pay due to the statewide stay at home order issued last month due to the coronavirus. But applying for unemployment is about to get easier,...
Surviving the pandemic: How to apply for unemployment benefits in California
The number of jobless Californians is on pace to reach historic highs, as reduced wages, shuttered businesses and self-quarantine precautions continue to dominate life during the coronavirus crisis. But even during a pandemic, bills and expenses don’t stop when paychecks do – highlighted by a recent failed attempt by some San Jose lawmakers to suspend rent for...
As unemployment and financial need rises, officials unveil programs to help
Californians are losing their incomes at record rates as residents stay inside and businesses close their doors due to a statewide stay at home order to stop the fast-spreading coronavirus that has infected 9,191 and killed 203 people across the state. But Santa Clara County and state government officials on Thursday announced new programs aimed...