VTA’s Thriving Business Program (TBP) will support the local small business community and provide targeted resources to help alleviate potential disruptions during major construction of the BSVII Project. The TBP focuses on enhancing the resiliency of small businesses, such as “mom-and-pop” eateries and shops, who often rely on foot traffic to thrive. The TBP will provide aid such as special marketed promotions, financial assistance, and technical guidance to support those businesses during through construction-related disruptions.
Visit our eligibility page to see if your small business qualifies for aid during construction.
TBP Elements
Eat Shop Local
Eat Shop Local is a marketing campaign that provides signage and wayfinding, social and digital media promotional posts, community events, and business spotlights on the project website.
Local Resource Network (LRN)
In partnership with local CBOs, the Local Resource Network offers workshops, education programs, webinars, and trainings that provide resources on:
- Access to capital
- Technical support and training
- Marketing and promotional
- Partnerships with business resource providers (private and public)
- Business management
Direct Financial Assistance (DFA)
DFA provides financial support to eligible businesses that experience documented business disruptions by major construction activities.
See a full calendar of BSVII community events where you can learn more about TBP
TBP Timeline
The TBP was developed by incorporating lessons learned from transit agencies across the United States, VTA’s Alum Rock Santa Clara Bus Rapid Transit Project, case study research, economic analyses, and real-time feedback from VTA’s Small Business Task Force. Also, it was developed through proactive VTA policies in place during Phase II preconstruction such as the Construction Education Outreach Plan (CEOP).
Are you a community member? Visit the Eat Shop Local page to learn how you can support local small businesses!
- Business Liaison Team is out in the community
- Website is live
- TBP Informational Toolkit available
- Community Workshop
Business Liaison Team
To best support small businesses, the Business Liaison Team will be available throughout construction and visit local small businesses in construction areas to provide additional information and assistance. Look out for the Business Liaison Team in your community soon!
Experiencing unforeseen construction impacts? Do you have general questions? Contact the Business Liaison Team via the Project hotline, email, or sign up for updates to stay in the know!
TBP Eligibility Criteria
Businesses that meet the small business definition and additional criteria are eligible to opt-in or apply for any of the TBP elements. For the purposes of the TBP, the definition of a Small Business is:
- Locally owned business with 35 or fewer full-time employees
- Having an active business license in the City of Santa Clara or City of San José
- VTA is exploring an annual revenue limit
Benefits
- Marketing and wayfinding support during construction
- Boost digital presence
- Enhance small business resiliency
- Encourage foot traffic to businesses that rely on “walk-in” clientele
Eligibility Criteria
- Consistent with the definition of a small business
- Approves of VTA’s use of images, logos, and/or business name(s) on signage
- Business is not a non-qualifying category (i.e., businesses such as liquor stores, adult stores, tobacco/smoke shops, ammunition/gun stores, among other classes of advertising prohibited by VTA’s Advertising Policy).
- Operates from a physical storefront located adjacent to above-ground construction and/or Construction Staging Areas (CSAs)
Community members – Learn how you can support your local small businesses!
Benefits
- Enhance small business resiliency
- Increase technical support and trainings
Eligibility Criteria
- Consistent with the definition of a small business
Learn about what trainings are coming up!
Visit the BSVII Project calendar to view the upcoming training opportunities and to sign up.
See the Project Calendar!Coming in Summer 2025!
Benefits
- Receive financial support from VTA
- Resiliency during construction
Eligibility Criteria
- Consistent with the definition of a small business
- Operates from a physical storefront located adjacent to above-ground construction and/or Construction Staging Areas (CSAs)
- Business experienced disruption to business access and/or operations due to Project construction activities for at least two weeks for the minimum grant award and at least six months annually for maximum grant award.
VTA’s Small Business Task Force
VTA’s Small Business Task Force was established in 2019 to serve as a conduit between the local small business community and Project stakeholders. The Task Force meets with Project staff on a milestone basis to provide input on the Program’s development and is comprised of Community Based Organizations (CBOs), local agencies, and chambers who reflect the diverse businesses community of Santa Clara County:
- Alum Rock Santa Clara Street Business Association — Connie Alvarez
- Black Leadership Kitchen Cabinet — Alma Burrell
- City of San José – Office of Economic Development — Vic Farlie
- City of San José – District 3 — Omar Torres
- City of San José – Team San José — Nicole Doña
- County of Santa Clara — Hope Cahan
- East Village — Chris Patterson Simmons
- Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Silicon Valley — Helen Masamori
- Latino Business Foundation — Jesus Flores
- Minority Business Consortium — Walter Wilson
- Prosperity Lab — Mimi Hernandez
- San José Chamber of Commerce — Sean Cottle
- San José Downtown Association — Nate LeBlanc
- Small Business Development Center of Silicon Valley — Connie Madrigal
- Silicon Valley Central Chamber of Commerce — Christian Malesic
- Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce — Sammuel Washington
- Silicon Valley Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce — Nancy Kieu Nga Avila
- Small Business Development Center Vietnamese American Satellite — Jim Chinh Nguyen
- The Alameda Business Association — Larry Clark
Small Business Task Force Presentations
FAQs
- The business has 35 or fewer full-time employees
- The business has an active license in the City of Santa Clara or City of San José
- The business is not a non-qualifying category
- Small businesses that meet the TBP eligibility criteria are invited to submit a Participation Form (coming soon). See TBP Eligibility Criteria to confirm your eligibility.
Sign up for the email updates or contact the Business Liaison Team via the Project at 408-321-2345 or email [email protected].
Learn more through the Small Business Task Force Presentations!
Related Articles
The Thriving Business Program (TBP) was developed by incorporating lessons learned from transit agencies across the United States, VTA’s Alum Rock Santa Clara Bus Rapid Transit Project, case study research, economic analyses, and real-time feedback from VTA’s Small Business Task Force. Also, it was developed through proactive VTA policies in place during BSVII preconstruction such as the Construction Education Outreach Plan (CEOP).