City of Monterey Park Temporarily Suspends Indoor Library & Rec Dept Programming Thru Jan. 31, 2022

Effective immediately, and out of an abundance of caution due to the current high transmission rate of COVID-19 related infections, the City of Monterey Park will temporarily suspend all indoor Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library services and Recreation and Community Services programming through January 31, 2022.

Monterey Park City Hall will remain open by appointment only and outdoor activities and programming will continue to be permissible with the recommendation that all persons wear a mask at crowded/dense outdoor events and while in line to enter, exit, use the bathroom, etc.

Various Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library services such as contactless checkout, outdoor storytime and outdoor expanded pop-up services will continue to be offered. For more information, please contact the library at 626-307-1366.

Limited Recreation and Community Services programming such as the senior lunch program (offered by delivery), dial-a-ride transportation, and outdoor/virtual classes will remain open. For more information, please contact the rec department at 626-307-1388.

The City of Monterey Park must take precautions to maintain public health and safety operations and will re-evaluate the situation over the next several weeks to determine how best to proceed or update operations, public engagement and programs.

For more local information about how to get the COVID-19 vaccine or booster, or how to find a testing site, please visit http://VaccinateLACounty.com or www.MontereyPark.ca.gov/COVID19.

Start and Grow Your Business With the Help of LA County’s January Webinar Series

Three signs you might be ready to start or expand your own business: you have a passion for your new venture, you’re a true believer in your idea, and you’re ready to learn – a lot!

If you’re thinking of starting or expanding your own business, 2022 is a great year to do it. Small business loan interest rates have remained low. And the disruptions brought on by the pandemic provide plenty of opportunities to find a new niche across online and offline businesses.

The pandemic, as much as it’s been challenging and overwhelming, can also be an opportunity to position your business for the future. The resulting disruptions provide valuable lead time to build up your customer base, refine your sales strategy, and level up your social media game. And once the economy starts to shift again, you’ll be ready to ride the wave up.

Free Webinars

As you build your business, you will need access to educational resources. Throughout January, the LA County Office of Small Business offers the following free webinars to help you start and grow your business.

Click here to register now with LA County, or contact Karen Ko at the City of Monterey Park Economic Development Division at 626-307-1385 or kko@montereypark.ca.gov.

California Mortgage Relief Program Provides Help for Homeowners To Get Caught Up on Housing Payments

If you are falling behind on home mortgage payments and have experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you might be eligible for assistance

The United States Department of the Treasury has approved California’s plan to provide $1 billion in mortgage relief, providing help to as many as 40,000 struggling homeowners.

The California Mortgage Relief Plan is committed to supporting those hit hardest by the pandemic, including homeowners who have fallen behind on their housing payments. The program will help homeowners make past due payments – to a maximum of $80,000 per household – by making a one-time direct payment to the mortgage servicers. Get started by applying online. Click here to apply now or visit https://calhfa-prod.onair-gov.osaas.app/eligibility-navigator/.

You may still qualify even if you have received other forms of governmental assistance such as COVID-19 assistance from the CARES Act or the American Rescue Plan Act.

Applications will be accepted through an online portal. Visit the California Mortgage Relief website (https://calhfa-prod.onair-gov.osaas.app/eligibility-navigator/) for more detailed information or contact the City of Monterey Park Economic Development Division at 626-307-1385 or econdev@montereypark.ca.gov.