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Why is Nashville considered one of the fastest-growing tech markets in North America, while cities like San Francisco are currently facing a tech exodus? Find out tomorrow, February 23, at part 2 of sf.citi’s Mapping the Tech Exodus event series. Jennifer Stojkovic of sf.citi and Brian Moyer of the Greater Nashville Technology Council will compare the tech policy landscapes of San Francisco and Nashville—make sure to register below!
Register for Mapping the Tech Exodus
- 3,509,603 confirmed cases in California
- 49,342 confirmed deaths in California
- 401,324 confirmed cases in the Bay Area
*As of 9:00am PT on 2/22
COVID-19 Updates from the SF Tech Community
UPDATES FROM THE TECH COMMUNITY
We are sharing the latest COVID-19 resources from the San Francisco tech industry, as well other community-minded initiatives pioneered by sf.citi members.
- Airbnb announced that it will open a technical hub in Atlanta, Georgia to house its product development teams. Over time, the office will serve as a regional hub for hundreds of technical and non-technical roles and marks the start of Airbnb’s “long-term presence” in Atlanta.
- Google is partnering with several international organizations, including the European Investment Fund (EIF), the Inter-American Development Bank, Kiva, and the Ogen-Israel Social Loan Fund, to fulfill the company’s $75 million commitment to small businesses outside of the U.S. This is part of Google’s $800 million commitment to support small businesses in the face of COVID-19.
- Lyft teamed up with CVS, the YMCA, and other nonprofit partners to help underserved communities access vaccination appointments by providing rides for those in need.
- Uber partnered with Walgreens to help drive equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines among underserved communities. The company is developing educational programs with community leaders and organizations, as well as providing free transportation to Walgreens vaccine clinics among vulnerable communities.
UPDATES FROM THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO
- sf.citi Executive Director Jennifer Stojkovic weighed in on the San Francisco billboards encouraging people to move to Miami. “Our hope at sf.citi is that [San Francisco policymakers] see what Mayor Suarez and many other leaders do—that tech companies and tech workers are a crucial part of the recovery and growth of our cities and communities,” she said in the Miami Herald.
- On February 19, Mayor Breed announced that the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) will offer free, roundtrip transportation for people traveling to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. Starting February 23, anyone traveling to receive their vaccination in San Francisco will be able to ride Muni to and from their appointment for free. Passengers will need to show their appointment confirmation (including emails or photos) or vaccine card as “proof of payment.”
- On February 17, Mayor Breed announced $27 million for City’s Downpayment Assistance Loan Program. The Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development is issuing a new round of Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (DALP) funds for first-time homeownership opportunities. The City is distributing over $27 million worth of funds throughout the year to up to 80 households in an effort to make San Francisco a more affordable and equitable place to live.
- On February 16, Mayor Breed announced the opening of a new neighborhood COVID-19 vaccine site at the SF Market in the Bayview. Opened in partnership with Sutter Health, this is the City’s third high-volume vaccination site. Two additional high-volume vaccination sites are located at the Moscone Center and the City College of San Francisco. They serve anyone who meets their eligibility requirements (initially 65 and older and healthcare workers, then expanding to 1B eligibility starting February 24) regardless of healthcare coverage.
To stay up to date with all City of San Francisco updates, follow the Mayor’s updates here.
UPDATES FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
- On February 17, Governor Newsom announced an immediate action agreement for relief to Californians experiencing pandemic hardship. This relief package will speed needed relief to individuals, families, and businesses suffering the most significant economic hardships from the COVID-19 pandemic. It builds on the Governor’s initiatives in the state budget proposal to provide cash relief to lower-income Californians, increase aid to small businesses, and provide license renewal fee waivers to businesses impacted by the pandemic.
- On February 16, Governor Newsom, in partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration, announced the opening of community COVID-19 vaccination sites in Oakland and Los Angeles. These pilot sites at the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum and California State University, Los Angeles are part of the federal administration’s wider effort to establish 100 vaccination sites nationwide in its first 100 days. They will be co-run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES).
To stay up to date with all State of California updates, follow the California Department of Health’s updates here.
SUPPORT OUR SAN FRANCISCO COMMUNITY
Every week, sf.citi will feature a different San Francisco nonprofit and share ways you can support its mission and work.
- City Youth Now is a grassroots non-profit in San Francisco serving foster and justice-involved youth. Their youth-informed programs and services promote stability, personal growth, and long-term success for youth in San Francisco. Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, City Youth Now has pivoted to virtual programming and ensuring that youth and families in their communities have access to critical need items, safe housing, groceries, and PPE. If you want to uplift youth in the juvenile justice and foster care systems, donate to the City Youth Now COVID-19 fund and/or sign up for a one-hour virtual workshop covering any area of professional expertise—interested volunteers should email jocelynn@cityyouthnow.org.
Would you like to be featured in a future sf.citi community update? Tell us about your work in San Francisco by emailing jacqueline@sfciti.org.
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