Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced new commitments to neighborhood commercial districts and small businesses in his proposed two year budget. The budget will more than double grants funding to $1.5 million; add $4 million to dramatically expand loans and other grants specifically targeted at neighborhood small businesses; double the team that works full time in neighborhood commercial corridors to streamline permitting and link small businesses with City programs and resources; and launch the Jobs Squad to help neighborhood small businesses get expert City staff out of City Hall and into the neighborhoods. 

Mayor Lee was joined by Board Budget Chair Supervisor Carmen Chu, District 6 Supervisor Jane Kim, area business owners, neighborhood residents and leaders, community-based groups and City department heads to make the announcement in Little Saigon in the Uptown Tenderloin Historic District neighborhood. 

“We are strengthening small businesses and entire neighborhood commercial districts,” said Mayor Lee. “This requires real resources and an ‘all hands on deck’ approach from City departments, business owners, and neighborhood leaders. By bringing a substantial commitment of new support, we are replacing vacant store fronts with vibrant small businesses. We will continue to invest in our existing small businesses, the jobs they create and aid entrepreneurs looking to open up shop in our City.” 

It takes more than 2,000 poll workers to conduct an election. Although the Department of Elections has already recruited many poll workers, we are seeking to expand a pool of available workers for the 2012 election cycle.  

Poll workers operate polling places on Election Day, and assist voters in every part of the voting process. They must attend a training class prior to the election, in which all duties are explained in detail. 

Applicants must be United States citizens, age 18 or older, and registered to vote in California.  All positions are one-day assignments and pay between $125- $170.  Individuals interested in serving as poll workers may complete the on-line application at http://www.sfelections.org/pw/or call us at (415) 554-4395.

3/6/12—Mayor Edwin M. Lee today launched his Invest in Neighborhoods Initiative, a renewed effort to marshal City and private sector resources and services to help revitalize the City’s neighborhood commercial corridors, support neighborhood small businesses and boost neighborhood job creation. The Invest in Neighborhoods Initiative will build on the City’s existing patchwork of programs that support neighborhood small businesses and commercial corridors and aims to prioritize, leverage and better coordinate resources and services available across City departments, nonprofits and the private sector to targeted commercial corridors throughout the City.
Standing with District 10 Supervisor Malia Cohen on the vibrant, revitalized San Bruno Avenue in the Portola District, Mayor Lee also announced the first phase of the new neighborhood initiative – the convening of the Invest in Neighborhoods Strategy Working Group of City department heads, neighborhood business leaders and technical experts to evaluate existing resources and tools, identify best practices and make recommendations for a more comprehensive strategy and additional resources through the Mayor’s FY 2012-2013 budget.

“Our neighborhood commercial districts and small businesses help drive our economy, create neighborhood jobs and make San Francisco a great place to live,” said Mayor Lee. “Strengthening our diverse neighborhood commercial districts and small businesses requires a focused, ‘all hands on deck’ approach. Our Invest in Neighborhoods initiative will maximize resources across City Departments, the private and nonprofit sector to build on existing successful efforts, create new neighborhood jobs and support vibrant, thriving neighborhood commercial districts for residents and visitors alike.”