SHANI J. COLEMAN
Director of Community & Economic Development
SBOP Administrator
Your Small Biz Update
January 1, 2021
Greetings!

I hope your year is off to a powerful start and that 2021 will be a year of success as we continue to navigate through the COVID pandemic. To meet the demands of the health crisis the County experienced deep budget and staff cutbacks in 2020. Among the latest changes, in December, the Small Business Opportunity Program (SBOP) was transferred to the Community and Economic Development Department, along with the County's Small Business Development Advisory Council (BDAC). As director of Community and Economic Development, I will work with BDAC this year to restructure SBOP in a way that aligns with the available budget and resources.

Meanwhile, I am pleased to announce that we have moved into a new stage of the County's Small Business Grant process--reviewing applications. In this edition of the Small Biz Update, you will find out what to expect if you applied for a COVID-related grant. We'll also tell you about changes coming to BDAC in the coming months, and introduce the next step for a proposed Strategic Economic Development Plan that will enhance our business environment.

Although SBOP is changing, small business owners who have questions about working with Clark County can continue to email the Purchasing and Contracts Division at [email protected] or call (702) 455-2897.

If you have questions about BDAC and SBOP please email [email protected] or call (702) 455-6489. We are happy to help.

Wishing you the best of health, safety, and prosperity in 2021,

Shani J. Coleman

Director, Clark County Community & Economic Development
SBOP Administrator
Want to Become a Vendor for Clark County?
Be Ready When SBOP Resumes

SBOP is designed to help small business owners interested in being a vendor for Clark County by providing a variety of training that supports their efforts. The next program is pending and we are accepting applications for eligible small businesses to be placed on the interest list for a future program.
Business Development Advisory Council
A Few Adjustments in 2021
Southern Nevada business owners seeking to influence policies and procedures affecting small suppliers often find the Clark County Business Development Advisory Council (BDAC) to be a valuable resource. Until December, BDAC was managed by the Department of Purchasing and Contracts. The program has now shifted to the Community and Economic Development Department. The makeup of the Council has changed as some existing members depart and new members were selected. One of the first issues on the 2021 agenda will be to determine how SBOP will be conducted as we move through the COVID crisis.

BDAC is a council of volunteers, primarily small business owners, who serve in an advisory capacity to help increase access to government contract opportunities for minority, women, and other emerging small businesses. For example, BDAC collaborates with SBOP, advises the Board of County Commissioners on ways to enhance equal business opportunity programs, and partners with the Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development to identify small firms qualified to bid and complete contract opportunities. 

BDAC often coordinates efforts with the larger Regional Business Development Advisory Council (RBDAC) and the Nevada Commission on Minority Affairs (CMA).

BDAC has been involved in improving access to opportunities in a variety of ways. For example, the Council can help to ensure that language in a request for proposal (RFP) is beneficial to small and disadvantaged businesses in competitive bidding processes; or help large prime contractors see the financial benefit of working with small subcontractors.
 
The organization provides a forum in which busy small suppliers can voice their opinions and ideas, knowing that BDAC will share supplier input with key policy-makers whose decisions can affect small firms.
 
BDAC encourages small business owners who want to stay abreast of new developments to attend those meetings. If you are ready to roll up your sleeves and help BDAC and Clark County achieve small business development goals, perhaps it's time to consider participating in a BDAC meeting. The Council meets every other month and all meetings are open to the public. 

To view the BDAC meeting schedule, agendas, and minutes from each session, please visit the County's BDAC web page.

Strategic Economic Development Plan
Setting the Course for Business Growth
The Community and Economic Development Department has been working on a new strategic plan to strengthen and sustain our business community. The proposed Strategic Economic Development Plan will be heard by the Board of County Commissioners during their regular meeting on January 19, 2021. The goal is to facilitate growth and opportunities for small and large suppliers at every stage of business--whether they are just starting out, expanding, or relocating to the Las Vegas area.

County Commission meetings are open to the public and local residents are encouraged to attend. The Commission's regular meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 9:05 a.m. and each third Tuesday of the month at 9:00 a.m. in the Clark County Commission Chambers, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway, Las Vegas. The Commission meets as the Zoning Board on the following Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.

If you have thoughts about what the new Strategic Economic Development Plan might include, please reach out and let your County Commissioner know.
Your Small Business Grant Application
What Happens Next?
Last year hundreds of local small businesses applied for Clark County Small Business Grants to offset the cost of COVID-related expenses. The final application period closed in December and the Community and Economic Development Department anticipates that approved applicants will be notified beginning in mid-to-late January. Approved businesses will begin receiving funds shortly thereafter.

We appreciate your patience, and you will be notified via email once the County has made final decisions.

Business-Building Virtual Events
VEGAS CHAMBER

A LOOK AHEAD: NEVADA'S ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES IN 2021
January 7, 2021 - 9:30 am
The Vegas Chamber will host a complimentary virtual roundtable discussion regarding Nevada’s economic development efforts both locally and across the state. Learn how Nevada’s economic development efforts can foster job creation, support economic diversification efforts, and build a more resilient economy.


PREVIEW LAS VEGAS 2021 - SAVE THE DATE
January 21, 2021 - 9:00 am-1:30 pm 
Preview Las Vegas is the annual “must-attend” event that provides Nevada business professionals with information, data, and predictions they need to position for success in the coming months. The event attracts buy decision-makers, and high-level executives who gain insights into trends, business, and the local economy.
NEVADA PROCUREMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER (PTAC)

HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH CLARK COUNTY
January 27, 2021 - 10:00 am - 11:00 am
After the Nevada Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) provides a brief overview, Acting Clark County Purchasing Manager Adriane Garcia will discuss how to do business with the County. Those who wish to attend this virtual event are asked to register no later than January 26th.
NEVADA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (SBDC)

LEARN THE TAX IMPLICATIONS OF CARES FUNDING FOR BUSINESSES
January 27, 2021 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Tax season is upon us! Have you received PPP, EIDL, PETS, CRAG, NACO rural grants, and/or other grants that you are unsure how to report? In this SBDC webinar, a seasoned CPA will tell attendees how to identify and report grants and loans on their tax documents correctly and how to know when you may need a CPA's assistance.
Opportunity Knocks
INVITATION TO BID
Family Courts/Central Plant, Cooling Tower Replacements
Clark County is inviting qualified firms to bid on a project to complete site work and replacement of 601C and 651H cooling towers at the Pecos Campus Family Courts/Central Plant, 601 N. Pecos Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101.  

A Pre-bid Conference for this project will be held on January 5, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., via WebEx.

Bids will be accepted on or before JANUARY 21, 2021 at 2:15:00 p.m. based on the time clock at the Clark County Purchasing and Contracts front desk. Bids may be submitted electronically on the NGEM website at www.ngemnv.com or manually at the Clark County Government Center, 500 South Grand Central Parkway, Purchasing and Contracts Division, Fourth Floor, Las Vegas, Nevada 89155.

To access all of the documents, specifications, and drawings for this project visit the NGEM (Nevada Gov eMarketplace) website and look for bid #605752.
Are You Missing Important Updates from SBOP?
If your business contact information has changed since you first signed up for a Clark County small business training program or newsletter, please provide your new information using the "Update Profile" link below. Never miss out on new updates that can help you grow your business!
Selling to government?
Simplify the process.
The Nevada Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and Procurement Outreach Program (POP) provide free services to simplify the process of selling goods and services to government. These programs from the Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development provide services free of charge.


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