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SHANI J. COLEMAN
Director of Community & Economic Development
SBOP Administrator
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Greetings!
2021 is off to a running start with regard to activities designed to help local small businesses weather the COVID-19 crisis and position for future success. Inside Clark County, our newly-seated Business Development Advisory Committee (BDAC) is set to take on a variety of issues including the future of SBOP. Here in the Community and Economic Development Department, we are laying the groundwork to determine how a new Strategic Economic Development Plan will be implemented, and the County Commission is exploring the feasibility of launching a new County Redevelopment Agency.
In other news, the Federal government has reopened the Paycheck Protection Program to help businesses keep employees on board during the pandemic. Some businesses that received PPP funding in the first round of the program may be eligible for a second loan.
You will learn more about all of these efforts in this edition of the Small Biz Update, along with links where you can find additional information. Wishing you a profitable month!
To your success,
Shani J. Coleman
Director, Clark County Community & Economic Development
SBOP Administrator
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Meet the Clark County BDAC Members - 2021/22 |
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The Clark County Small Business Development Advisory Council (BDAC) will hold its first meeting of the year this month, officially launching a two-year term that began in January and ends December 31, 2022. Their initial meeting is scheduled for February 10th at 9:00 am and will be held virtually in light of COVID-19 restrictions. During that session, among other topics, the Council will discuss ways to bring SBOP training and support activities into alignment with recent COVID-related budget and staff cuts.
BDAC is a volunteer panel appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to assist the County with its commitment to increase the number of minority-owned, women-owned, and other emerging small suppliers doing business with the County. BDAC meetings provide a forum in which business owners can voice their opinions and ideas regarding County initiatives and issues affecting small firms. In alphabetical order, here are the appointees who will serve on the Council for the next two years.
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Clark County Business Development Advisory Council
New & Returning Members
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Heidi Batiste, PhD
Nevada State College
New Member
Dr. Heidi Batiste is an Assistant Professor in the Business Department at Nevada State College in Henderson, Nevada. She began a career in human resource management in the United States Army in 1997 and moved on to serve in various management positions in the public and private sectors. Dr. Batiste’s expertise centers on organizational behavior, human resource management (HRM), and workplace leadership.
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William Covington
Clark County
New Member
William Covington, a Community Liaison for District B, Office of Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick, is a native of Las Vegas. He is a staunch advocate for small business and financial literacy. Mr. Covington developed an acute awareness of local small business needs while serving on the team of former Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly. He is a graduate of Howard University School of Business where he earned a B.A. in Business Administration.
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Ariel Davis
Clark County School District
Returning for 3rd Term
Ariel Davis represents the Clark County School District on the Business Development Advisory Council. She has been a member of BDAC for five years and counting. She has co-chaired the Marketing and Publications committee, and co-hosted the annual BDAC Mixer for the past three years. Ms. Davis has a passion for assisting and providing resources for small businesses throughout Clark County and is happy to continue serving BDAC.
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David Eclips
McCarran International Airport
Returning for 3rd Term
David Eclips is the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Liaison Officer for the Clark County Department of Aviation, McCarran International Airport. He works closely with local, small, women and minority owned businesses by participating in outreach sessions, mentoring and training programs, and assisting firms interested in DBE certification. Mr. Eclips, who served 30 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, is currently the Chairman of the Nevada Unified Certification Program (NUCP). He has served as Vice Chair of BDAC.
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Darby Johnson
Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce
Returning for 2nd Term
Darby Johnson has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, non-profit organization management, and community involvement. The U.S. Air Force veteran is president of the Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce, and has served as Chair of the Spring Valley Township Advisory Board. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Nevada Insurance Commissioners Agent Advisory Council, and the Stadium Business District Technical Advisory Committee. He has served as the BDAC Speaker Bureau Chair.
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TaChelle Lawson
FIG Brand Strategy Firm
New Member
With over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality, food and beverage, and luxury service industries, FIG Firm Founder and President TaChelle Lawson has worked with world renown brands such as Mercedes-Benz, NASCAR, Nike, Red Bull, and Louis Vuitton to help them drive revenue, increase brand awareness, and improve product positioning. A North Las Vegas native, Ms. Lawson received her associate degree in Culinary Arts from Le Cordon Bleu, and graduated with honors.
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Ginnie Salazar
Logistical Solutions, LLC
New Member
Ginnie Salazar is Founder and Executive Director of Logistical Solutions environmental, industrial cleaning, and contracting firm. She has served as President of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Southern Nevada Chapter, and is a keen advocate of providing female entrepreneurs with access to education and professional development opportunities. Ms. Salazar has served as a mentor for Clark County’s Small Business Opportunity Program (SBOP) to further assist and inspire the next wave of entrepreneurs.
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Laura Jane Spina, RID
RAFI Architecture and Design
Returning for 3rd Term
Laura Jane Spina, RID, serves as principal-in-charge with RAFI: Planning, Architecture and Urban Design and its sister organization, Fielden & Partners. She is widely recognized as a planner specializing in community development and redevelopment issues. Public sector clients in Southern Nevada include the City of Mesquite, Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, Clark County and the College of Southern Nevada, Henderson District Public Libraries and the Clark County Museum.
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Dr. Faisal Suba, M.D.
Alliance Mental Health Specialists
New Member
Dr. Faisal Suba, M.D., is the managing partner and founder of Alliance Mental Health Services, one of the largest psychiatric clinics in Las Vegas. Dr. Suba currently serves as an associate professor of psychology at the UNLV School of Medicine, and is on faculty with Touro University School of Medicine. He is a past President of the Las Vegas branch of Nevada Psychiatric Association.
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If you want to get involved in helping BDAC and Clark County achieve small business development goals, we welcome you to participate in a BDAC meeting. The Council meets at the discretion of the BDAC chair, at least once per quarter. To view the BDAC meeting schedule, agendas, and minutes from each session, please visit the County's BDAC web page.
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New Strategic Plan to Provide Small Business Support |
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The Board of Clark County Commissioners has heard and accepted the report on a new strategic plan designed to strengthen and sustain our local business community. The report includes recommendations for the County to continue partnering with business resource organizations that equip small suppliers with the tools and capabilities they need to achieve scalable growth.
Community and Economic Development Director Shani Coleman, worked closely with SRI International® Center for Innovation Strategy and Policy to develop the report, Mapping the Future: An Analysis of Clark County's Communities and Economies.
"Now that the report has been accepted, the next steps include determining how we will approach the implementation of the strategy," said Coleman.
The document includes a summary of southern Nevada's current socio-economic climate, trends that present challenges, and a suggested action plan to achieve development goals. The recommendations include developing a qualified workforce, diversifying the regional economy, ensuring that small business owners have access to training and resources that facilitate growth, and more. To view the full report, click here.
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Feasibility of a County Redevelopment Agency |
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County Commissioners to Hear Study |
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During their meeting on February 16th, County Commissioners will hear a report on the feasibility of reestablishing a County Redevelopment Agency. In 2009, Commissioners voted to suspend the current Redevelopment Agency after deciding funds allocated could be used differently. The agency was initially created to help improve blighted areas designated as redevelopment area/zones. After the suspension, the agency's resources were redirected to fund education, health care, and safety.
As the valley grows and changes, it is possible that a redevelopment agency could enhance the County's ability to address long-standing blight and needs for urban renewal.
Regular County Commission meetings are aired live on Clark County Television starting at 9:05 a.m. on the first Tuesday of every month and 9 a.m. on the third Tuesday each month. For instructions on how to view the February 16th session and other meetings, visit the Clark County Website.
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The Paycheck Protection Program is Back |
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Video Walkthrough of the PPP Application Form |
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The Small Business Administration (SBA) is administering a new round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which provides forgivable loans designed to help organizations keep workers employed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you are preparing to apply for a forgivable federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan and could use some assistance completing the application, a video released by the nonprofit National Development Council (NDC) might help. The step-by-step walkthrough of the form is designed to help businesses craft the strongest application to present to lenders, and increase chances of receiving the requested amount of funding in the most timely manner. The video also briefly describes the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), which is designed for more long-term recovery for businesses that incurred pandemic-related losses in 2020.
You can view NDC's PPP video here.
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Business-Building Virtual Events |
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NEVADA SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
WEDNESDAY CHAT WITH NEVADA SBA
February 3, 2021 - 10:00am
In this open forum, you can ask questions about federal economic resources available to help small businesses recover from the economic effects of COVID-19 as well as other SBA programs and services. Stay up to date and get answers to your business questions. 10:00 am – 11:00 am PT Every Wednesday (thru December 15, 2021).
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LAS VEGAS SCORE
TELL ME A STORY: HOW TO FOCUS THE NARRATIVE OF YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS
February 13, 2021 - 9:00am
Nobody loves a sales pitch…. Everybody loves a good story. In fact, the right story can add enough value to your brand that you can actually charge more for it. At this workshop, Merrill Loechner, Chief Storyteller with Smith Douglass Associates, will be discussing how to figure out what your story is, who your target audience should be, and how to create an engaging narrative about who you are and what you offer. We’ll also discuss the “shapes” of various narratives and how to modify your stories depending on your audience.
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Selling to government?
Simplify the process.
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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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Keeping Your Profile Up To Date |
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 in the footer of this email. Never miss out on new updates that can help you grow your business!
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