Chamber News - Larkspur Chamber of Commerce

Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program Enrollment

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 21:40:57 GMT

Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

Did you know it is mandatory for employers with 50 or more full-time employees in the Bay Area to register with the Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program?

Even if an employer offers commuter benefits, to be in compliance with the Bay Area Air District’s Regulation 14, Rule 1, they are required to enroll in the program and update their registration annually. Employers can choose from five commuter benefit options:

Pre-tax transit benefits

Employer-provided subsidy for transit or vanpooling

Employer-provided transit (such as shuttles)

Telework one or more days a week

A custom plan that includes other modes like bicycling or walking, possibly combined with promotions that encourage alternates to driving alone and more

Enrollment in the Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program is easy and free by visiting 511.org. Take advantage of the many resources to help you comply. We provide online resources to guide you through this quick process or feel free and you can speak to one of our team members for hands-on support. For more information, visit 511.org, call us at 510-285-3182 or email the team at commuterbenefits@511.org to confirm if your organization is registered.

Community Open House

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 18:16:06 GMT

Join us on July 22nd and 23rd for an Open House on public transit in Marin!

Marin Transit and Golden Gate Transit invite you to a Community Open House to share your ideas and learn about:

Proposed service changes in central and southern Marin County
Marin Transit’s proposed bus maintenance facility

Event Details:
Tuesday, July 22 | 5:00–7:00 PM
Marin City Library, 164 Donahue St., Marin City

Wednesday, July 23 | 6:00–8:00 PM
Al Boro Community Center (Pickleweed), 50 Canal St., San Rafael

Enjoy food, refreshments, and youth activities while you explore transit topics that matter.
Se habla Español.

Questions? Email outreach@marintransit.org or visit bit.ly/transittopics.

College of Marin - Seeking Vendors for New Cafe at Center for Student Success on Kentfield Campus

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 18:10:33 GMT

College of Marin - Kentfield Campus: Seeking vendors for new cafe at

Center for Student Success

The College of Marin's (COM's) new Center for Student Success at their Kentfield Campus is seeking an Operator/Manager for the Center's cafe!

If you are a local cafe or restaurant looking to expand your footprint in Central Marin, you can submit an RFP application to COM now: https://vendors.planetbids.com/portal/39469/bo/bo-detail/130390

For more details about the new cafe venue, or if you have other questions about the proposal submission process, please contact:

Santiago Nocito 415-884-3162
snocito@marin.edu

Public Workshop: City Hall Renovation Study

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 18:01:42 GMT

Please join us on Wednesday, February 26th at 6:00 pm at Larkspur City Hall, 400 Magnolia Ave.

Please join us to discuss the renovation study for our historic Larkspur City Hall! For more information, please visit the Larkspur City website: www.cityoflarkspur.org/969/City-Hall

Richmond-San Rafael Bridge- Common Sense Solution

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 21:33:18 GMT

Common Sense Transportation Coalition

The North Bay Leadership Council is currently an active participant in the Common Sense Transportation Coalition led by the Bay Area Council to alleviate morning traffic on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge by instituting an emergency breakdown lane on the upper deck of the bridge, eventually converting to an HOV/Transit lane in place of the current bike lane on Mondays-Thursdays.

Every morning, over 18,000 commuters cross the Richmond-San Rafael bridge, a number of them may be employees and educators. During the same morning commute, only 20 bikers cross the bridge. As I'm sure you are aware, the current backup on the Richmond bridge of 16 minutes on average daily, and up to an hour with accidents, makes the daily commute for these workers extremely painful, and unpredictable for employers.

This common-sense measure, supported by California Assemblymember Damon Connolly, Marin Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters, and over 20,000 Marin and East Bay residents, has passed the voting of two Bay Area planning commissions unanimously, with a final vote from the Bay Conservation and Development Committee to approve the plans on November 21st. We at the North Bay Leadership Council and the Bay Area Council are hoping to collect signatures from Marin businesses and employees on our letter to the BCDC, urging them to give much-needed respite to the commuting workers Marin depends on. We are also hoping to gain personal letters from commuters about their current commute difficulties caused by RSR bridge traffic.

Please consider sending your letter to the BCDC commissioners urging them to act now to fix the Richmond Bridge. This is our final opportunity!

VOTE NO ON MEASURE K

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 18:33:43 GMT

Vote No on Measure K

Measure K: A Deeply-Flawed Measure That Goes Too Far

In the November 5, 2024 election, voters will be asked whether or not to approve the following:

MEASURE K -CITY OF LARKSPUR

( read the full text of the initiative here )

Shall the proposed ordinance, prohibiting residential real property rental rate increases for some rental units that exceed sixty percent of the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index or three percent, whichever is lower, defining a base rent for affected units as the rent in effect on August 3, 2022, establishing a process for consideration of additional rent increases, limiting the grounds for evicting tenants of some rental units, enacting additional housing regulations, be adopted?

As you prepare to vote on Measure K, get the facts before you cast your ballot:

Measure K is complex, confusing, and misleading. It is being pushed as a solution for housing affordability, but an independent impact study prepared for the City of Larkspur noted this measure is “not an affordable housing policy.”

Larkspur has already passed local rent control and tenant protections ordinances stronger than state law – local ordinances that were the culmination of more than a year of public input from Larkspur renters, housing providers, City Hall, and other concerned citizens. Measure K, which is being proposed by an extreme political group without any substantive community engagement or input, is too extreme for Larkspur.

Policies like Measure K do nothing to lower rents, create a single new unit of affordable housing, or address homelessness.

Measure K could reduce property values and lead to a reduction in city funds due to the costs of administering this onerous and extreme measure, negatively impacting funding for schools and other essential services.

According to an independent impact study prepared for City Hall, “several property owners have indicated they are or will be removing their single-family homes from the rental market” if Measure K passes.

The “just cause” evictions provisions of Measure K could make it difficult to evict problem tenants, even in instances where neighboring tenants are negatively impacted by their neighbors’ bad behavior.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about why you should vote NO on Measure K.

New City Housing Map

kat@thelarkspurchamber.org (Kat Prager) — Tue, 07 May 2024 23:41:49 GMT

Where can new houses go?

The latest iteration of the Larkspur 2023-2031 Housing Element, now accessible on the City's website , unveils a revised approach to housing development. The updated housing site maps on the web provide additional insights into proposed developments, by allowing stakeholders to click on the specific sites highlighted on the page.

Responding to community input, the City has opted to address concerns regarding additional housing in the Downtown area. Previous proposals earmarked sites like the downtown parking lot, Mt. Tam Racquet Club, and the King of the Roll Sushi restaurant site for potential housing projects, but these have since been withdrawn from consideration. This shift acknowledges community preferences and the desire to safeguard the Downtown area's character and functionality from excessive residential development.

In tandem, significant updates include the retention of 1000 Drakes Landing Road as a housing site, with 18 units slated for development behind the fire station. This site is set to be rezoned to R-3 Multifamily, indicating a strategic shift towards denser housing solutions. For more information, check out our previous article .

Moreover, the City's strategic adjustments involve repurposing underutilized office space for housing. Identifying vacant office buildings such as 511 and 505 Sir Francis Drake as potential housing sites underscores a move to repurpose commercial properties to meet housing needs. While maximizing land use, this strategy aligns with broader trends favoring mixed-use development and adaptive reuse of existing structures, reflecting responsiveness to community input and proactive steps to tackle housing challenges.

However, the decision to eliminate business office space raises valid concerns about its potential impact on economic growth. Converting office buildings into residential units diminishes available office space, potentially curbing opportunities for business expansion and job creation within Larkspur. Despite this, it's crucial to acknowledge the complex factors at play, including the evolving economic landscape and post-pandemic work dynamics. The repurposing of office space for housing may contribute to diversifying the city's economic base, attracting new residents, and stimulating local businesses.

Balancing housing development with job growth is essential for Larkspur's long-term sustainability and vitality. Exploring alternative strategies, such as incentivizing mixed-use developments or identifying new areas for office development, could ensure a resilient economy while meeting housing demands.

The Larkspur Planning Department welcomes feedback on the draft, encouraging stakeholders to engage through the website for inquiries or further information. A formal hearing for deliberation has yet to be scheduled.

Labor Law info Session

kat@thelarkspurchamber.org (Kat Prager) — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 22:20:58 GMT

SBDC shared some great info for all on new labor laws

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides free help to small businesses to help your business grow. They are a wonderful organization to turn to for guidance. In March, the Larkspur Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Marin Council of Chambers sponsored a presentation by an HR professional who's an expert in labor laws. All Chamber members were invited to attend and pick up those gold nuggets of guidance.

But don't worry it it didn't make your calendar, we've got the notes for you. Below is the powerpoint to the presentation for your guidance.

Want to check out more from SBDC? Here is their upcoming list of events:

HOW TO BECOME A CANVA PRO

This workshop will teach you how to use Canva, a “design tool for non-designers”, to easily create professional graphic designs including images and videos.

Thur, April 25 | 12:00pm - 1:30pm | REGISTER HERE

SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION (SEO) BEST PRACTICES

Increase the visibility of your website in google searches. Learn the differences between paid and unpaid optimization and how to use Google Search Console to continuously improve your results.

Thur, May 9 | 12:00pm - 1:00pm | REGISTER HERE

SAVE TIME & STREAMLINE SOCIAL MEDIA WITH META BUSINESS SUITE

Through Business Suite, you can improve efficiency by uploading up to a month of content at once, schedule publication times, and coordinate marketing campaigns with partners.

Tue, May 22 | 12:00pm - 1:30pm | REGISTER HERE

Vote Larkspur for Best of Marin

kat@thelarkspurchamber.org (Kat Prager) — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 21:47:22 GMT

Show your Love for Larkspur!

2024 Voting for Best of Marin is now LIVE. Make sure to go on and select your favorite restaurants, shops, hairdressers, CPAs, preschools, movie theater, and anything else listed there. There are so many topics to choose from.

Go here to vote 2024 Best of Marin .

Supporting our local Larkspur businesses helps give a boost. And, don't forget the Chamber too! Please list Larkspur Beer Fest for best beer festival and Larkspur Wine Stroll for best festival!

New Condos in Larkspur

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 20:04:28 GMT

Condos proposed for Drakes Landing Road

AJ Craig company has submitted a preliminary application to the City of Larkspur to build 18 rental townhouses

at 1000 Drakes Landing Road behind the fire station. If you wish to submit comments, do so early before the builder has completed the design. Here is the application .

Submit comments about the 1000 Drakes Landing Road proposal to:

Elise Semonian |Community Development Director

City of Larkspur | 400 Magnolia Ave | Larkspur, CA 94939

ESemonian@cityoflarkspur.org

(415) 927-6713

AJ Craig plans to hold a neighborhood meeting in April and a second one in August and a Planning Commission hearing in September. They still need to obtain many reports for the California Environmental Quality Act review.

According to Elise Semonian, it would be difficult for the City to tell AJ Craig that they cannot build housing on the site under State laws, since housing is already allowed there at 21 units/acre and most impacts for housing can be mitigated. Complaints about the project must be based on objective standards, such as setback distance. Larkspur objective standards for building (ODDS) that must be met are here .

On page 13 of that document, the criteria for denial of application include public health and safety issues.

Page 27 shows a map of zoned areas in Larkspur, which is followed by building

information for each area.

Note that the parcel in question for townhouses is zoned T4 Suburban Main Street like downtown Larkspur. The application requires review under the California Environmental Quality Act unless it is found to be exempt from review as "infill" development. The City will be looking at all potential environmental impacts to determine if it qualifies for an exemption or not.

AJ Craig is proposing 4 units of affordable housing for lower income households. Typically, Marin Housing identifies tenants for the such affordable units https://www.marinhousing.org/ . The income limit of the household depends on the household size. The proposed units are 2 bedroom and may accommodate a family of 3-4 people. Income limits: https://www.marinhousing.org/marin-county-income-limits .

This article was originally published in the March edition of The Capers written by Carol Possin.

Think Giants, Think Larkspur

kat@thelarkspurchamber.org (Kat Prager) — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 01:00:32 GMT

Let SMART and Golden Gate Ferry get you to the game

As baseball games start in just a few weeks, the train and the ferry have paired up again to offer rides to Oracle Park. Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) lets off at Larkspur Landing, and has tied it's schedule to the Golden Gate Ferry. Plan your trip to the game with time to spend time in Larkspur. There are lots of options for shopping at food right there at Country Mart or take your bike (or an Uber) to other parts of town.

For an afternoon game, do lunch at Rustic Bakery and then come back for dinner at Gotts. For an evening game, pick up dinner to eat on the ferry at Loveski or Souvla.

SMART encourages biking with the train. You can easily bring your bike onto the train when you ride, and the Larkspur station has bike lock boxes for you to store you bike for longer periods of time, like when you go to the game.

Friends of the Alto Tunnel

kat@thelarkspurchamber.org (Kat Prager) — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 06:34:15 GMT

The Friends of Alto Tunnel are building momentum to re-open the Alto Tunnel

The Friends of Alto Tunnel and Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC) are reaching out to small businesses who support (and stand to gain from) the easier transit and increased patronage that can accompany the re-opening the shuttered Alto Tunnel as a bicycle & pedestrian path to link Mill Valley, Corte Madera & Larkspur. Opeing of the tunnel will complete the North-South Greenway.

The ask is a simple/easy one; will you lend your business name and logo to a letter to the Marin Board of Supervisors asking to greenlight the next stages on scoping & planning ?

The letter (with ~30 supporting business & organizations - not all yet added to this early version) is below to see a copy. Signing on to the letter is a no-cost (and virtually no-time) way to stand behind green infrastructure and community development!

Reach out to local volunteers Chris Tufts ( Email ) or Lee Larsen ( Email ) to join the movement.

Sign the community petition here: Alto Tunnel Petition

The State of Diverse Businesses in California

kat@thelarkspurchamber.org (Kat Prager) — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 01:08:17 GMT

Beacon Economics Lays Out the Facts: Minority-Owned Businesses Power California

Many different Chambers from across California worked with Beacon Economics and the California Office of the Small Business Advocate to put together this year's report on The State of Diverse Businesses in California. The report highlights diveristy in small business ownership across the state.

"Minority-owned small businesses are a pillar of the California economy. They account for 45% of all businesses in the state, support 10.9% of all jobs in the state annually, and generate 3.5% of California’s economic output."

Read the Executive Summary of the report below. If you would like to obtain a full report from the New Californaia Coalition, feel free to email Kat@thelarkspurchamber.org, and she will get you a copy.

PPP Loan Forgiveness

kat@thelarkspurchamber.org (Kat Prager) — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 20:21:17 GMT

Make sure your loan forgiveness is filed

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is looking to remind business to correctly file for PPP loan forgiveness.

There are currently over 8500 businesses in the Bay Area that received under $100K in a PPP loan that have not yet filed correctly for forgiveness, and are listed as defaulted on their loans. SBA will have to report these businesses to the IRS on March 4, 2024.

This is only for businesses that have a PPP loan under $100K.

You must file for forgiveness by March 3rd if you have not done so already. See the flyer below for more information. SBA can assist anyone in applying for forgiveness if needed.

Here is a link for upcoming SBA webinars to help business owners: https://www.sba.gov/events?keyword=PPP&field_event_dates_value=All&district=19&in_person_or_online=All

Get Rebates for Going Green

kat@thelarkspurchamber.org (Kat Prager) — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 19:35:51 GMT

Check out BayREN to see if your business qualifies for rebates

If you've been thinking about doing some upgrades to your business, 2024 might be the right year for you. BayREN , is the site to turn to get tax relief and rebates through the California Public Utilities Commission. Previously, they've been focused on providing those rebates to homeowner, but this year they are rolling out their rebates to small businesses.

To qualify for a rebate you must meet one of the three criteria: 1) English is not the primary language spoken, 2) have less than 25 employees, or 3) lease/rent your space.

The items they help with include heat pumps, energy efficient A/C units, tankless water heaters, LED lighting, refrigeration, and more.

To get started with them, complete the application here .

More Bike Path in Larkspur

kat@thelarkspurchamber.org (Kat Prager) — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 19:06:49 GMT

N-S Greenway Construction Starts on the Larkspur Section!

The Transportation Authority of Marin, TAM, shared some great news in their most recent newsletter: the next stage of the N-S Greenway has started!

For all of you who take the walking and bike path from Larkspurs Landing over the freeway to Trader Joe's, you know that the wonderful overpass ends awkwardly with a sharp turn onto the street. This next phase of the project will address that area. The plan is to extend the current path south until the Pedestrian Overcrossing. In the map, it's the area listed as "City Portion" as this section is being administerd by the City of Larkspur.

The work is going to take a few months to complete, but it should open up this summer. More bike paths can only help our community, and this one will help finish off an already great project. For more info check out the North-South Greenway Gap Closure on TAM's site.

For more info check out the North-South Greenway Gap Closure on TAM's site.

The Rose Bowl Dance is Back

Sun, 11 Feb 2024 07:54:25 GMT

See how you can be part of the history!

Exciting news…The historic and beloved Rose Bowl Dance is coming back to Larkspur in 2024, thanks to the Larkspur Community Foundation!

On September 21, 2024 the Larkspur Community Foundation will be hosting the Rose Bowl Dance at the historic Escalle Winery property in downtown Larkspur.

From its historical inception in 1912 until 1963, The Rose Bowl Dance was a special part of Larkspur’s history as a fundraiser for the Larkspur Volunteer Fire Department. Since then, the dance has been held twice, in 2008 to commemorate the Larkspur Centennial and again in 2012 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Rose Bowl Dance.

Larkspur Community Foundation seeks to support activities that sustain the historic, small-town character of Larkspur and enhance the quality of life here. Proceeds from this event will be used to continue these efforts.

They are currently offering sponsorship opportunities to Larkspur business to help bring this event to the community.

Tickets for the event will be limited, so sponsorship is a way of guaranteeing your access to tickets . There are four levels of sponsorship ( see details here ). Public ticket sales will begin May 15th. In order to be included in our marketing, please commit to your sponsorship by April 15th.

If you have questions or wish to confirm your sponsorship of this fabulous community event, email rosebowl24@larkspurcommunityfoundation.org .

No on Measure D

Sun, 11 Feb 2024 05:16:11 GMT

The Chamber is Against Measure D

Affordable housing is a legitimate issue in Larkspur, but Measure D is the wrong
solution. It will be costly for taxpayers, have unintended consequences that could
reduce funding for other essential services, and won’t provide any new affordable
housing options for Larkspur’s seniors and working families.

Measure D will create a whole new bureaucracy at City Hall, including substantial staff
time to oversee, administer and enforce Measure D, likely at a significant cost to
taxpayers – to make matters worse, city leaders failed to consider the full fiscal impact
of Measure D before passing the ordinance.

Measure D won’t lower rents, create more affordable housing, or address
homelessness. In fact, much of Larkspur’s housing stock won’t be covered by Measure
D. Renters in single-family homes, condominiums and any apartments built after 1995
will generally not be covered by Measure D.

California’s nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office stated that policies like Measure D
“does very little to address the underlying cause of California’s high housing costs: a
housing shortage.” Their independent report shows how rent control is not effective at
creating affordable housing.

Instead, Measure D could reduce the amount of affordable housing in Larkspur by
reducing turnover and when a rent-controlled unit does become available, creating a
situation where prospective tenants with higher incomes and credit scores are sought
for those units instead of those who really need it.

Voting No on Measure D is a vote to maintain fair housing policies in Larkspur instead
of creating an uneven playing field to benefit those living in apartments built before
1995. That’s why we, as Larkspur residents, renters, homeowners, and small business
owners, have come together to oppose Measure D.

Read the fine print and don’t be fooled – the fact is, Measure D won’t address our lack
of affordable housing, but it will cost taxpayers.

2024 New Employment Laws

Sat, 10 Feb 2024 20:05:07 GMT

Lots of changes took affect with the start of the year.

Minimum wage:

California's minimum wage will increase from $15.50 per hour to $16 per hour.

The minimum salary threshold for overtime exemption will also increase. As of January 2024, exempt employees must earn at least $66,560 annually.

Off-Duty Cannabis Use/Testing

AB 2188 prohibits employers from discriminating against employees for off-duty cannabis use. This means that employers can no longer rely on drug testing that identifies non-psychoactive metabolites, but rather must use testing that identifies actual impairment. As of the date of this article, there are not any drug tests available that meet this criterion.

Employers can still require a drug-free and alcohol-free workplace and may prohibit employees from possessing, being impaired by, or using marijuana on the job. Employees in the construction and building trades are not covered by AB 2188.

Workplace Violence Prevention Program

Section 6401.9 requires virtually all employers to implement a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan ("WVPP") by July 1, 2024. These are structured similarly to Injury and Illness Prevention Plans and require employers to (1) designate a person responsible for implementing the plan; (2) identify and correct hazards through periodic inspections; (3) train employees on hazards; (4) maintain records of incidents.

Paid Sick Leave

SB 616 expands California's Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act ("HWHFA") and increases the minimum number of paid sick leave days per year to 40 hours/5 days (whichever affords the employee more leave). Employees covered by a valid collective bargaining agreement ("CBA") are exempt, provided the CBA meets certain conditions: (1) expressly provides for the employees' wages, hours, and working conditions; (2) expressly provides for paid sick days, paid leave, or paid time off; (3) requires final and binding arbitration of disputes concerning paid leave; (4) provides premium wage rates for all overtime hours worked; and (5) establishes a regular hourly rate of pay of at least 30% more than the state minimum wage. It is important to note that the procedural and anti-retaliation provisions of the HWHFA do apply to all employees, including those covered by a CBA. Construction industry CBAs with a clear and unmistakable waiver remain exempt from the paid sick leave law.

Wage Theft Protection Act Notice

Employers must roll out updated Wage Theft Notices and include information about any federal or state emergency/disaster declaration issued within 30 days before hire that applies to the county or counties in which the employee will work. The Labor Commissioner has prepared a new 2810.5 notice template to meet the new requirements. These notices are not required for employees covered by a valid CBA.

30 Days' Notice to Return to Work In Person

Employers must now provide at least 30 days' notice before requiring an employee to return to work in person. The notice must include certain language regarding the employee's right to request remote work as an accommodation for a disability.

No Non-Compete Agreements

SB 699 strengthens California's restrictions on non-compete agreements and other restrictive covenants. Effective January 1, 2024, non-compete agreements are unenforceable and void, regardless of where the agreement was signed or where the employee worked at the time the agreement was signed. This marks a big departure from the previous standard, which permitted non-competes if they were valid in the jurisdiction where the agreement was signed.

By February 14, 2024, employers must notify current and former employees employed after January 1, 2022 that any non-compete clauses previously signed are void. Each notice must be individualized and delivered to the individual's last known address and email address.

Reproductive Loss Leave

Effective January 1, 2024, employers with five (5) or more employees must provide qualified employees with up to five (5) days of unpaid job-protected leave following a "reproductive loss event." This is defined as the day, or for multiple day events, the final day, of a failed adoption, failed surrogacy, miscarriage, stillbirth, or unsuccessful assisted reproduction. Employers may not request documentation of the event. Leave need not be used consecutively, but must be used within three months of the reproductive loss event. Each employee is limited to a maximum of twenty (20) days over a 12-month period if multiple reproductive loss events occur. Employees must be permitted to use sick, vacation, or other paid time off.

Cal OSBA January Grant Programs

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 06:35:35 GMT

Grants by The California Office of the Small Business Advocate

Grant Programs

The following grant programs are administered by CalOSBA. Review the status of current and upcoming grant programs below. 

The California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) supports economic growth and innovation statewide. CalOSBA’s core mission is to provide resources to all California small businesses, disabled veteran business enterprises (SB/DVBEs), minority and women-owned businesses, and those individuals who own and operate businesses located in low-wealth, rural and disaster-impacted communities.

CalOSBA supports outreach and engagement efforts through advocacy, sharing resources, and building resilience through programs and our Technical Assistance Network that supports growth and business sustainability. 

Open Programs

The following grant programs are currently open.

California Small Agricultural Business Drought & Flood Relief Grant Program Groups 1 and 2 are extended to February 15, 2024. Drought Group 3 is expected to open in May 2024 (Date TBD).

Closed Programs

The following grant programs are currently closed.

Accelerate CA Inclusive Innovation Hub , Round 3, San Bernardino/Inland Empire
State Small Business Credit Incentive (SSBCI) - Technical Assistance

For more small business resources and information, visit calosba.ca.gov

Marin County Virtual Job Fair

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 00:18:00 GMT

Date : Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021

Time : 8:30 - 10:30am & 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Cost : No cost to participate in this event

Hosted by : Marin Council of Chambers, Workforce Alliance of the North Bay, College of Marin, Career Point and America’s Job Center of California.

More information : Click here.

Mix and Mingle - A Business, Social and Networking Event

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 17:37:00 GMT

Please join the Larkspur Chamber Board of Directors for

Mix and Mingle, a Business, Social and Networking Event.

Hosted by the Courtyard by Marriott

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Come and enjoy the fun!

Bring a colleague that is not a Chamber Member and introduce them to the Larkspur Chamber!

R.S.V.P. by June 24th

Need information? 415-328-3401 or info@larkspurchamber.org

Presenting: Rubbing Elbows - April 13th

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 16:04:00 GMT

The Larkspur Chamber of Commerce Presents:

Rubbing Elbows

Tuesday, April 13, 2021, 6:00 pm

A conversation with Mayor ~ Kevin Haroff & City Manager ~ Dan Schwarz

If you have questions you would like to have the Mayor or City Manager of Larkspur answer -
then send your questions to: info@larkspurchamber.org

Socially Distanced Easter Bunny Visits - April 3rd

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 15:37:00 GMT

Saturday, April 3rd, 11am-2pm Bon Air in Greenbrae ( map )

Hop by Bon Air for a visit with the Easter Bunny! Children of all ages can wait 6ft closer to bunny to receive bunny ears, jelly beans and a balloon as they smile and wave to the Easter Bunny and pose for photos outside his hut!

Larkspur Stands United Against Hate

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 23:21:00 GMT

We envision a day when all people in Marin have the same economic opportunities.

United Against Hate Week (Nov. 30-Dec. 6, 2020) is a call for seven days of local civic action by people in every Bay Area community to stop the hate and implicit biases that are a dangerous threat to the safety and civility of our neighborhoods, towns, and cities.

We are one community!

Larkspur Community Foundation named 2020 Business Of The Year

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 03:47:00 GMT

The Larkspur Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce The Larkspur Community Foundation as its 2020 Business of the Year Honoree for Bank of Marin’s Spirit of Marin Awards for embodying the spirit of hope and resiliency throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Larkspur Community Foundation donated a $10,000 match to the Larkspur Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Grant program in continuing to support our community.

About The Larkspur Community Foundation

The Larkspur Community Foundation was founded in 2013 by residents of the Larkspur area. Today, it operates as a nine-person Board of Directors, with Sandy Blauvelt as President. The Foundation was created to raise money from local donors, so it could support projects and activities that would otherwise go unfunded. The Board works to sustain Larkspur’s historic small town character and to enhance the community’s quality of life. Ultimately, the Foundation helps fulfill the Larkspur community’s wish list. As a grant-making organization, it invites donors to support community efforts and works, by encouraging leadership development.

The Foundation works in collaboration with civic organizations, nonprofits, local government, and schools in Larkspur and neighboring areas. Through this, it helps the Larkspur community to build a tradition of local philanthropy and foster spirit and community by connecting volunteers with opportunities to help meet the needs of the Larkspur neighborhoods. Looking for ways to help small businesses in the community and neighboring areas during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation chose to donate a $10,000 matching grant to the Larkspur Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Grant program. As a result, the Chamber raised $51,000 to help 33 small businesses in need.

Learn more about the Larkspur Community Foundation here.

#spiritofmarin #bankofmarin

How to Drive Demand in this New Era

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 20:16:00 GMT

How to Drive Demand in this New Era

New marketing series to help your business, in partnership with All Marin County Chambers and the Marin SBDC. Sign up using links below.

FACEBOOK

Sept 23 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM | Free | REGISTER

INSTAGRAM

Sept 30 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM | Free | REGISTER

GOOGLE ADS

Oct 7 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM | Free | REGISTER

LINKEDIN

Oct 14 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM | Free | REGISTER

Download PDF Flyer

Helpful Links for Businesses from Marin Economic Recovery Meeting

Thu, 21 May 2020 10:00:00 GMT

Helpful Links for Businesses from Marin Economic Recovery Meeting

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Marin Recovers Curbside Retail Guidance and Worksite Templates

Mon, 18 May 2020 14:55:00 GMT

Marin Recovers Curbside Retail Guidance and Worksite Templates

An update from Marin Recovers:

Small Business Resources: Loans, Assistance, Aid & More

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 21:01:00 GMT

Small Business Resources: Loans, Assistance, Aid & More

Posted 4/22/20

Facebook Small Business Grants Program

Available now to apply - San Francisco Bay Area https://www.facebook.com/business/boost/grants

Facebook recently updated guidelines for its $100 million small business grant program. Specifically, $15 million is earmarked for Bay Area (including Marin) and these are the criteria:

Posted 4/20/22

Click this link for an interesting Loan Seminar from the Marin SBDC held on 4/20/20, if you missed it. It has a lot of great information available to you. (if a password is needed - 2z?@.%H.)

If you want to work with a SBDC Advisor at no cost to you , to help you answer specific loan questions, please sign up here - this is the fastest way to work with someone: https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/signup (choose Marin SBDC on second page)

Here is the most up to date info from the Marin SBDC to help you (including links to applications): https://www.marinsbdc.org/covid-19

Here is a useful guide: https://www.marinsbdc.org/sites/default/files/00_covid19_4-3-20_cares-act-ppp_1.pdf

Here is a list of online lenders accepting PPP applications:

Funding Circle: https://www.fundingcircle.com/us/
Lendistry: https://lendistry.com/
Kabbage: https://www.kabbage.com/
Divvy: https://getdivvy.com/
Fountain Head: https://www.fountainheadcc.com
Lendio: https://www.lendio.com/
Smart Biz Loans: https://www.smartbizloans.com/

Posted 4/2/20

16 Creative Funding Resources Your Small Business Should Use

Alternate funding solutions your small business can try

Coronavirus Emergency Loans

Small Business Guide and Checklist

Paycheck Protection Program

FAQs for Small Businesses

The CARES Act, or the Corona-virus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act

Cares Act FAQ's

Understanding the Paycheck Protection Program

A lifeline for Small Businesses included in the Phase III COVID-19 Relief Bill

Federal Small Business Stimulus Aid Programs

A breakdown of all the federal programs and aid for small business coronavirus assistance.

How to Get a Coronavirus Emergency Paycheck Protection Loan

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act sets aside $350 billion for small business loans to provide economic relief in 2020. Here’s how to get one of these loans.

Additional Resources For Larkspur Businesses & Citizens

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 17:24:00 GMT

Additional Resources For Larkspur Businesses & Citizens

COVID-19 Rent, Commercial Lease, Mortgage Relief
https://www.ci.larkspur.ca.us/806/COVID-19-Rent-Commercial-Lease-Mortgage-

COVID-19 Food Resources for Vulnerable Populations
https://www.ci.larkspur.ca.us/803/COVID-19-Food-Resources

Shopping during the Coronavirus - Buy smart & Don't Overfill Your Cart
https://www.ci.larkspur.ca.us/805/Grocery-Shopping-Tips

Avoid Coronavirus Scams
https://www.ci.larkspur.ca.us/804/Avoid-Coronavirus-Scams

COVID-19 Volunteer Opportunities
https://www.ci.larkspur.ca.us/802/COVID-19-Volunteer-Opportunities

Larkspur Community Foundation Presents - Larkspur Cares: Responding to COVID-19
http://www.larkspurcommunityfoundation.org/larkspur-cares-community-at-home/

Why you should order takeout using a local service - or pick up.
http://christinamueller.com/why-you-should-be-ordering-takeout-not-delivery/

Is your business an essential business? Here’s what you need to know:
Essential Business Practices

Jeff Laine, 2019 Business Citizen of the Year

Fri, 04 Oct 2019 13:47:00 GMT

Jeff Laine, 2019 Business Citizen of the Year

Jeff Laine, 2019 Business Citizen of the Year Award Winner

Jeff Laine, the Store Manager of Mollie Stone’s Market in Greenbrae, was chosen as the 2019 Business Citizen of the year! In his leadership role since 1996, Jeff heads a team of 105 people, and works with more than 350 vendors.

Jeff was selected for his enthusiastic and enduring support of local non-profit organizations. His commitment to helping the larger neighborhoods and supporting nearby businesses, makes a difference in our community.

Congratulations Jeff, well done!

Join us on October 15, 2019 as we celebrate Jeff from 5-7pm at Perry’s on Magnolia at our quarterly mixer.

RSVP on Facebook - https://business.facebook.com/events/1294440547400599/
Share on Twitter - https://twitter.com/LarkspurChamber/status/1180125384597225474
Like on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/p/B3MvpqFgfTA

Tribute To Steve Nicol, President Emeritus

Fri, 04 Oct 2019 13:43:00 GMT

Tribute To Steve Nicol, President Emeritus

Stephen (Steve) Nicol

January 24, 1945 – September 21, 2019

The Larkspur Chamber of Commerce and the City of Larkspur has lost an integral member of our community. Steve Nicol was the owner of Red Robin Catering in downtown Larkspur for many years. He also was a valuable member of the Larkspur Chamber of Commerce.

We are so grateful for the 35 years of outstanding service that Steve gave, as the president of the Chamber. He was instrumental in keeping the Chamber running and viable. We are thankful for his vision and his contribution to the Chamber.

He will be missed by so many! Rest now Steve!

Chamber News - Larkspur Chamber of Commerce

Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program Enrollment

Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

Community Open House

Join us on July 22nd and 23rd for an Open House on public transit in Marin!

College of Marin - Seeking Vendors for New Cafe at Center for Student Success on Kentfield Campus

College of Marin - Kentfield Campus: Seeking vendors for new cafe at

﻿ Center for Student Success

Public Workshop: City Hall Renovation Study

Please join us on Wednesday, February 26th at 6:00 pm at Larkspur City Hall, 400 Magnolia Ave.

Richmond-San Rafael Bridge- Common Sense Solution

Common Sense Transportation Coalition

VOTE NO ON MEASURE K

Vote No on Measure K

Measure K: A Deeply-Flawed Measure That Goes Too Far

In the November 5, 2024 election, voters will be asked whether or not to approve the following:

MEASURE K -CITY OF LARKSPUR

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about why you should vote NO on Measure K.

New City Housing Map

Where can new houses go?

Labor Law info Session

SBDC shared some great info for all on new labor laws

Vote Larkspur for Best of Marin

Show your Love for Larkspur!

New Condos in Larkspur

Condos proposed for Drakes Landing Road

Think Giants, Think Larkspur

Let SMART and Golden Gate Ferry get you to the game

Friends of the Alto Tunnel

The Friends of Alto Tunnel are building momentum to re-open the Alto Tunnel

The State of Diverse Businesses in California

Beacon Economics Lays Out the Facts: Minority-Owned Businesses Power California

PPP Loan Forgiveness

Make sure your loan forgiveness is filed

Get Rebates for Going Green

Check out BayREN to see if your business qualifies for rebates

More Bike Path in Larkspur

N-S Greenway Construction Starts on the Larkspur Section!

The Rose Bowl Dance is Back

See how you can be part of the history!

No on Measure D

The Chamber is Against Measure D

2024 New Employment Laws

Lots of changes took affect with the start of the year.

Cal OSBA January Grant Programs

Grants by The California Office of the Small Business Advocate

Marin County Virtual Job Fair

Mix and Mingle - A Business, Social and Networking Event

Presenting: Rubbing Elbows - April 13th

Rubbing Elbows

Tuesday, April 13, 2021, 6:00 pm

A conversation with Mayor ~ Kevin Haroff & City Manager ~ Dan Schwarz

Socially Distanced Easter Bunny Visits - April 3rd

Saturday, April 3rd, 11am-2pm Bon Air in Greenbrae ( map )

Larkspur Stands United Against Hate

Larkspur Community Foundation named 2020 Business Of The Year

How to Drive Demand in this New Era

How to Drive Demand in this New Era

Helpful Links for Businesses from Marin Economic Recovery Meeting

Helpful Links for Businesses from Marin Economic Recovery Meeting

Marin Recovers Curbside Retail Guidance and Worksite Templates

Marin Recovers Curbside Retail Guidance and Worksite Templates

Small Business Resources: Loans, Assistance, Aid & More

Small Business Resources: Loans, Assistance, Aid & More

Additional Resources For Larkspur Businesses & Citizens

Additional Resources For Larkspur Businesses & Citizens

Jeff Laine, 2019 Business Citizen of the Year

Jeff Laine, 2019 Business Citizen of the Year

Tribute To Steve Nicol, President Emeritus

Tribute To Steve Nicol, President Emeritus

Center for Student Success