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SHANI J. COLEMAN
Director, Office of Community & Economic Development
SBOP Administrator
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Greetings!
Clark County moves one step closer to recovery today as major COVID restrictions end, allowing businesses to return to a greater level of normalcy. The current fiscal year ends June 30th and we are working to close out FY21 with an eye on equipping small businesses to participate in County purchasing processes in FY22. The County's Business Development Advisory Council (BDAC) is an important part of that effort and we invite you to tune in for our next meeting on June 9th. We will discuss the next steps toward bringing SBOP into alignment with current financial and human resources.
Whether doing business with the County or any agency, deadlines are important and it works to your advantage to pursue contract opportunities as soon as they arise. In this edition of the Small Biz Update, we share some of the best ways to stay informed about new solicitations and how getting certified can work to your advantage. You will also find links to business resource organizations that can help you stay competitive, plus new and ongoing COVID-19 financial relief through the SBA and other organizations.
As always, we are committed to supporting our local small business community. If you have questions about doing business with Clark County please email Purchasing and Contracts at
To your success,
Shani J. Coleman
Director, Office of Community & Economic Development
SBOP Administrator
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County COVID Reopening Guidelines Change June 1st |
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Affects Large Gatherings, Capacity Limits, Mask Requirements |
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Clark County has updated business reopening guidelines to pre-COVID pandemic levels beginning June 1, 2021. That means restrictions on large gatherings and capacity limits are no longer in effect. Fully-vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. Residents are still encouraged to get vaccinated and maintain social distancing where appropriate.
Masks will still be required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in United States transportation hubs such as airports and stations as referenced in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.
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Be Ready When Contract Opportunities Arise |
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1) Know When Bid Opportunities Open
Register for NGEM
NGEM (Nevada Gov eMarketplace) is a supplier database where you can register your business to be notified of bid opportunities from Clark County and dozens of other entities as they become available. The County encourages all small business owners to register on the NGEM website and check in regularly to keep track of solicitations from agencies that may need your goods and services. Sign up at NGEMNV.com to search and track opportunities from a growing list of agencies that currently includes:
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- Boulder City
- Carson City
- Clark County
- Clark County Water Reclamation District
- College of Southern Nevada
- Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
- City of Henderson
- City of Las Vegas
- City of North Las Vegas
- Desert Research Institute
- Great Basin College
- Las Vegas-Clark County Library District
- Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
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- Las Vegas Valley Water District
- McCarran International Airport
- Nevada System of Higher Education
- Regional Transportation Commission
- Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority
- Southern Nevada Health District
- Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority
- Southern Nevada Water Authority
- Truckee Meadows Community College
- Truckee Meadows Water Authority
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- University of Nevada, Reno
- Western Nevada College
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Opportunities in Nevada & Beyond
Bonfire is designed to help small suppliers search and receive notification of bid opportunities throughout the U.S. by project type, free of charge. Subscription options are available for those seeking more robust features. To get started, you can register your business through Clark County’s Bonfire Portal.
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Federal Contract Opportunities - SAM
To do business with the Federal Government a business must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM), an official website of the U.S. government. There is no cost to use SAM. You can sign up at SAM.Gov.
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2) Consider Getting Certified
Getting your small business certified is not a requirement and cannot guarantee that you will land a new contract. On the other hand, certification can increase your visibility and your chances of consideration in public and private purchasing processes. To learn about the types of certification and how to apply in southern Nevada, download this SBOP article on Getting Certified in Southern Nevada.
3) Get Free Training & Technical Support
SBOP helps small businesses prepare to become vendors for the County and other local governments. You can also find free training and support from local business resource organizations designed to help with all aspects of your business, with the goal of helping you grow a solid organization. Whether you want to do business with local, state, federal, or private entities, help is available. Here are a few resource organizations to check out:
Nevada Grow
NVGrow is a State of Nevada small business initiative customized for Southern Nevada existing businesses that have over $50,000 and less than $700,000 in sales. Participating businesses receive access to economic and demographic data and assistance from SBDC counselors to help grow their businesses. The program has created a unique collaboration with the College of Southern Nevada, the Clark County Business Department, the Urban Chamber of Commerce, the Latin Chamber of Commerce, and the Nevada Small Business Development Centers in Clark and Washoe counties. Learn more about Nevada Grow.
Nevada PTAC
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 agencies. Learn more about PTAC from the Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development provide services free of charge.
Nevada Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
SBDC provides counseling and consulting on various aspects of your business at every stage of growth, on issues ranging from planning to accounting, loan applications, internet assistance, environmental support, and more. Get more details and schedule an appointment with SBDC.
4) Get to Know Potential Clients
Get to know the purchasing and procurement departments of agencies you would like to do business with and find out what types of small business programs are available. Meeting with purchasing potential clients in advance can help to ensure buyers are aware of your company when they are seeking quotes for future projects.
Learn which departments and representatives are responsible for buying the goods and services you sell. Schedule a face-to-face meeting with purchasing agents who are relevant to your business to learn more about their needs and how they make buying decisions. When potential clients host business training and networking events, attend to make new connections, nurture existing connections to grow business-growing relationships.
By staying informed about new opportunities, getting the support you need to compete, and growing a strong business network, you can position your business for success.
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New - Small Business Outreach Grants |
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Community Navigator Pilot Program |
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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has launched a competitive grant program to strengthen outreach to small businesses in underserved communities enacted through the American Rescue Plan. The Community Navigator Pilot Program will focus on businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, as well as women and veterans. SBA will accept applications through July 12, 2021, and anticipates making award decisions by August 2021. Competitive grant awards will range from $1 million to $5 million for a two-year performance period.
The Community Navigator Notice of Funding Opportunity will be open to applications from nonprofit organizations, state, local, and tribal governments, SBA resource partners, and other organizations. Selected partners will engage in targeted outreach for small businesses in underserved communities to help small businesses get the resources and support they need to get back on track as the economy continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Applicants have until July 12th to submit their applications at grants.gov.
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COVID-19 Relief Funding: SBA & Other Options |
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Administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) |
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Restaurant Revitalization Fund
The Restaurant Revitalization Fund provides restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. The online application will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted. For more information, visit sba.gov/restaurants or in Spanish at sba.gov/restaurantes.
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Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG)
The U.S. Small Business Administration is encouraging eligible operators of live venues, live performing arts organizations, museums, and movie theatres, as well as live venue promoters, theatrical producers, and talent representatives adversely affected by COVID to apply for a Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG).
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Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
PPP loans are designed to help businesses keep workers employed during the COVID-19 crisis. Businesses must apply through participating community financial institutions including Certified Development Companies (CDCs), SBA Microlenders, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) until May 31, 2021 or until remaining funds are exhausted.
To find out if eligible lenders are accepting applications and identify the loan that is right for your business visit the SBA's PPP web page.
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Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
EIDL provides economic relief to small businesses and private nonprofit organizations that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. For details and to apply visit the SBA's EIDL web page.
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Other COVID-19 Funding Options
The SBA provides a list of private funding resources to help small businesses weather the COVID crisis. To browse options available nationally and explore location-specific funding by zip code, click here.
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Loan Eligibility & Small Business Size Standards |
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SBA Seeks Public Comment in Two Sectors |
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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is seeking public comment on a proposed rule that would revise the small business size standards for businesses in two North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) sectors to increase small business eligibility for SBA’s loan programs. The NAICS sectors reviewed in the proposed rule are Wholesale Trade (Sector 42) and Retail Trade (Sector 44-45). SBA proposes to increase size standards for 49 industries in those sectors.
Comments can be submitted on this proposed rule on or before July 26, 2021, at www.regulations.gov, using: RIN 3245-AH10. You may also send comments by mail to Khem R. Sharma, Chief, Size Standards Division, 409 3rd Street SW, Mail Code 6530, Washington, D.C., 20416.
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2021 Minimum Wage Increase Begins Next Month |
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The minimum wage increase approved by the Nevada State Legislature in 2019 takes effect in Nevada starting on July 1st of this year, with rates increasing annually until July 1, 2024. The new rates apply to all employees in the State unless they are otherwise exempted.
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Business-Building Virtual Events |
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NEVADA SBDC
COVID, VACCINES, AND EMPLOYEES, OH, MY!
June 2, 2021 - 9:00am-10:30am
What are your rights and responsibilities as business owners as the workplace returns to some normalcy? Learn what you should know about encouraging your employees to get the vaccine. Join us to discuss your rights and responsibilities in this new environment and the vaccination rollout.
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SBA
SBA VETERANS SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY COMMITTEES
June 2 and 3, 2021
The U.S. Small Business Administration's Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development (IATF) and Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs (ACVBA) will hold virtual public meetings on June 2 and 3, respectively, via Microsoft Teams. Veteran small business owners and stakeholders are encouraged to join the meetings to provide public comment and learn how the committees are working to reduce barriers to entrepreneurship for veterans across the country.
The IATF will meet on Wednesday, June 2, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (EDT) via this Microsoft Teams link. To join the meeting by phone instead, use (202) 765-1264 and Conference ID: 979 863 534#
The ACVBA will meet on Thursday, June 3, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (EDT) via this Microsoft Teams link. To join by phone instead, dial (202) 765-1264 and enter the Conference ID: 804 504 248#
Public comments and questions are strongly encouraged to be submitted in advance by May 28 via email to veteransbusiness@sba.gov or by phone at (202) 205-6773. For technical support, please visit the Microsoft Teams support page. Meeting presentations and minutes will be available after both meetings at www.sba.gov/ovbd, under the "Federal Advisory Committees" section.
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CLARK COUNTY BDAC
BDAC WILL DISCUSS COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GOALS
June 9, 2021 - 9:00am
The Clark County Business Development Advisory Council (BDAC) will provide an update on SBOP's next steps during their meeting scheduled for June 9, 2021. 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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SBA
GETTING BACK ON TRACK: HELP IS HERE
June 17, 2021 - 11:00am PDT (2:00pm EDT)
The United States Small Business Administration and the non-profit Public Private Strategies Institute have launched a new regional webinar series, Getting Back on Track: Help is Here, to provide Main Street entrepreneurs with the information and resources they need to continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The webinar for SBA Region 9, including Nevada, will take place on June 17th. The Getting Back on Track series features speakers from The White House, the SBA, Members of Congress, and small business leaders, and provides updates on the American Rescue Plan.
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NEVADA SBDC
STEPS TO BUILDING STRONG BUSINESS CREDIT
June 29, 2021 - 1:00pm-2:30pm
Learn more about steps you can take to build stronger business credit from the FDIC Money Smart program. Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
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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 at the end of this email. Never miss out on new updates that can help you grow your business!
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Stay in the Loop!
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Small Business Updates from SBOP
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Sign up to receive information and resources that can help you grow your small business! |
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