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SHANI J. COLEMAN
Director, Office of Community & Economic Development
SBOP Administrator
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Greetings!
Governor Sisolak recently announced his goal for every County to reopen Nevada at 100% capacity by June 1st. In that spirit, we are making every effort to plan for reopening Clark County while adhering to official health guidelines. It's exciting to know we may have opportunities to gather safely, in person, with small businesses and our strategic partners, in the not-too-distant future.
In this edition of the Small Biz Update, you will find a link to download the County's new reopening guidelines and see how they apply to your business. We'll tell you about the next steps toward the planned SBOP transition, the latest SBA updates on COVID-related grants and loans, as well as resources and events that can help you grow your business.
On Monday, May 31st our Clark County offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day. On behalf of SBOP, please allow me to extend sincere appreciation for all who have fallen in the line of duty for our country, and for their families who have sacrificed so much. Thank you!
To your success,
Shani J. Coleman
Director, Office of Community & Economic Development
SBOP Administrator
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Clark County Eases COVID Restrictions |
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Business Reopening Guidelines Available in Several Languages |
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New business reopening guidelines go into effect on May 1, 2021, to ease COVID distancing restrictions in Clark County. Public gatherings may increase to no more than 80-percent occupancy, and social distancing requirements will be reduced to three feet. Masks are still required. Under the plan proposed by the County and approved by the Governor's office, businesses that are currently closed including nightclubs and adult entertainment may reopen.
The County has decided that capacity restrictions and social distancing requirements can return to 100% capacity when 60% of the eligible population (ages 16 and older) has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
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Revitalization Fund Applications Open Soon |
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The Clark County Business Development Advisory Council (BDAC) and County are discussing plans to move SBOP training to a virtual format that can accommodate larger class sizes than on-site training while allowing small business owners more flexible timelines to complete coursework. The goal is to bring the program into full alignment with the County's COVID-related budget and personnel reductions. Offering services online may save the County time and money without sacrificing the quality of training.
In April, BDAC laid out next steps toward the planned SBOP transition. The Office of Community and Economic Development will collaborate with BDAC, the County enterprise team, and content managers over the next several months to set up the new program. The process will include updating and enhancing course content, building out the new training platform, and determining enrollment capacity, among other tasks.
Meanwhile, small businesses that want to become vendors for the County can sign up for the program wait list on the SBOP webpage.
BDAC will provide an SBOP update in their next 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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Restaurant Revitalization Application Opens May 3rd |
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SBA Advises Applicants to Register in Advance |
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The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced that applications for Restaurant Revitalization funding will open on Monday, May 3, 2021. Applicants are encouraged to prepare in advance by registering for an account at sba.gov.
The Restaurant Revitalization Fund, Established under the American Rescue Plan, will provide 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. Funds must be used for allowable expenses by March 11, 2023.
For the first 21 days that the program is open, the SBA will prioritize funding applications from businesses owned and controlled by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. All eligible applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as the portal opens. Following the 21 days, all eligible applications will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Be Prepared
In preparation, the SBA recommends qualifying applicants familiarize themselves with the application process in advance to ensure a smooth and efficient application experience, specifically. In addition to registering at sba.gov applicants are advised to:
- Review the official guidance, including the program guide, frequently asked questions, and application sample.
- Prepare the required documentation.
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Work with a point-of-sale vendor or visit sba.gov to submit an application when the application portal opens. [Note: If an applicant is working with a point-of-sale vendor, they do not need to register beforehand on the site.]
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SVOG Grant Application Reopens |
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COVID Relief for Shuttered Venue Operators |
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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). The SBA worked with vendors to resolve technical issues that occurred with the initial opening of the application portal on April 8th.
The SVOG program was appropriated more than $16.2 billion for grants via the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, and the American Rescue Plan Act. At least $2 billion is reserved for eligible SVOG applicants with up to 50 full-time employees. Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue up to a maximum amount of $10 million for a single grant.
Prior to applying, the SBA recommends eligible applicants take the following actions:
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PPP Application Deadline Approaches |
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Businesses Still Have Time to Apply |
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Small businesses now have until May 31, 2021, to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program loan. The Small Business Administration (SBA) will then have an additional 30-day period to process applications that are still pending.
PPP provides SBA-backed loans designed to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the COVID-19 crisis. The application deadline was extended to provide additional critical relief to very small businesses.
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2021 Minimum Wage Increase |
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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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B&I Roadmap to Success Provides More Resources |
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Guide Designed to Keep Business Growing at Every Stage |
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Countless small businesses have followed the Nevada Department of Business and Industry (B&I) guide The Roadmap to Success as a reference to start or grow a business. B&I recently updated the guide to provide a more robust road map with additional resources.
Both new and seasoned business owners will find access to local, state, and federal business resources and help with issues such as licensing, marketing, certification, and more.
For an overview of the guide and how to use it view this video.
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To get started with The Roadmap to Success
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To ask questions about doing business with Clark County
Please contact Purchasing and Contracts at
call (702) 455-2897.
If you have questions about SBOP
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Business-Building Virtual Events |
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SBDC
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SOLICITATIONS IN GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING
May 4, 2021 - 9:00am-10:00am
This Small Business Development Center webinar will discuss the 3 general solicitation types: Request for Quotes (RFQ), Invitation for Bid (IFB), and Requests for Proposals (RFP). The webinar will identify the more significant elements of each type, what the government procures under each type and what a firm must know and understand if they intend to compete. This webinar is in collaboration with the Indian Dispute Resolution Services (IDRS) Acorn Project and is open for any business owner, regardless of Native status.
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SBDC
MITIGATING CYBERSECURITY RISKS; KEEPING YOUR COMPANY OUT OF THE NEWS
May 19, 2021 - 9:00am-10:00am
As companies of all sizes have been forced to operate remotely during the COVID-19 Pandemic, most have needed to re-architect their entire business security strategy while others have been compelled to create one from the ground up. The focus of this talk hosted by the Small Business Development Center is to provide the audience with a variety of Proactive Security Resources, Tools and Tactics to leverage in their Risk Management Programs and budgeting to better protect not only their own organization, but resources and services to help guide companies with which they are doing business, or partnering.
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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
ASK NEVADA SBA: NEW PPP AND LEGISLATION CHANGES
May 6, 2021 - 2:00pm-3:00pm
Q&A with the Nevada Small Business Administration District Office team to learn more about the newest legislation concerning the Paycheck Protection Program and other COVID-19 relief funding for small businesses in 2021.
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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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Stay in the Loop!
Get monthly
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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