Volume 6 — Tuesday, July 28, 2020
President's Message
I would like to thank all our members who have renewed their membership. Joining the Sonora Chamber of Commerce is an investment in your community. Together we can promote commerce, business, and tourism.

Our goal is to benefit our merchants and citizens, both professionally and economically. Your membership communicates to customers that you are reputable and involved in your community.

Studies have shown that when customers know a small business is a member of their chamber of commerce, they are 80% more likely to purchase goods and services from that company.  (Source -The real value of joining a chamber of commerce study by the Schapiro Group.)

Stay tuned for some exciting Chamber News…to follow soon!
Stay safe and be well,

Katie Dunn
Sonora Chamber President

Thank You to Our Gold Sponsors
Update from
Visit Tuolumne County
Photo courtesy Visit Tuolumne County
Following a nearly three-month long hiatus of tourism marketing, immediately following the green light for lodging and other sectors to reopen in mid-June, Visit Tuolumne County engaged in an extensive “Wander Freely” marketing campaign in our travel drive markets of the Bay Area, Sacramento and Tri Valley area. On July 3 rd , all marketing was paused once again as the County asked the public to once again delay their trips to Tuolumne County. As long as Covid-19 cases and concerns continue, VTC marketing campaigns are on hold.

Currently, VTC’s social media efforts focus on local businesses, activities geared toward residents, and healthy and sustainable travel. Also, as a way to highlight the positive we will be utilizing social media to feature the many new businesses that have come about during COVID as well as businesses that have changed their model to adapt to constantly changing protocols in an effort to stay open and serve their community. If you know of such a business, let us know in case they’re not already on our radar!

We’re looking forward to re-inviting visitors to Tuolumne County; the campaigns that ran during the second half of June were proving to be successful and we can’t wait to turn them back on.
 
Over 40 Businesses Have Taken the Tuolumne County Healthy Pledge! Join Them Today.

As visitors travel again, they are looking for destinations where they are assured of clean, safe, and healthy environments. As a priority recovery initiative, this free program is being led by the Visit Tuolumne County team to help communicate your commitment to new health and safety protocols to build confidence among visitors and residents.

By taking the pledge, participating businesses are listed on a webpage dedicated to Tuolumne County Healthy Pledge (all Tuolumne County businesses are welcome) so visitors and customers can be made aware of participation. Additionally, businesses that are members of Visit Tuolumne County have the Tuolumne County Healthy Pledge icon displayed on their business listing on the Visit Tuolumne County webpage. The TCHP icon is also displayed on VTC member lodging properties and RV parks' listings on the VTC booking referral engine.

All participating businesses are provided with TCHP icon window cling to display on their storefront to help spread the word about their pledge and commitment to public health.


Has Your Business Taken the Healthy Pledge?
The Tuolumne County Healthy Pledge is a voluntary program for Tuolumne County businesses to commit to clean and healthy standards for their guests and employees to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As a priority recovery initiative, this free program is being led by the Visit Tuolumne County team.

Sign Up for Your Free Directory Listing
Please add your FREE listing to a new online business directory. All Tuolumne County businesses are encouraged and welcome to post!

This is also a great tool to help jump start our local economy.
Add all your business information today at:

Thank You to Our Bronze Sponsors

From The City of
Sonora Fire Department
Aimee New
Fire Chief

Chamber Member Shout Out!!!
Chester & Push Horse Rescue are excited to announce advertising opportunities for local businesses in their upcoming 2021 Calendar, ”50 Shades of Hay”. A $500 cash or in kind donation will feature your name, business logo and recognition on your calendar month, Facebook page & social media. They are a 501(c)(3) and will provide your company a tax deductible receipt for your donation. Each business will receive 10 calendars to distribute to their valued customers.
 
Your generous donation will help with...
  • Printing costs for the calendars
  • Corral fencing to replace existing barbed wire, for safety of horses & guests
  • Shirts with non-profit logo for employees & volunteers, banner and signage for truck & trailer
  • Feed and farrier service for their new horse, Magic
  • Feed and farrier service for their new horse, Hope
  • Feed and farrier service for their new horse, Faith
  • Feed and farrier service for their new horse, Rose
  • Round pen panels for training
  • Saddle, tack & blanket for training
  • Corral fencing & hay for new foal
  • Feed
  • Emergency Vet bills
If you would like to schedule a visit to meet their Equestrian Therapy Horses and learn about their programs they welcome you!
 
Chester & Push Horse Rescue
(925) 989-7242


Latest info from Valley Sierra SBDC
Howard White
Valley Sierra SBDC
There is still a chance to obtain SBA Coronavirus Disaster Business Grants and Loans! The potentially 100% Forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will expire on August 8th unless it runs out of funding before then. Many banks have stopped processing PPP requests, but our good friends at Oak Valley Community Bank are still accepting applications, and with awesome community spirit, they are not limiting these to their own bank customers. Thanks OVCB!! Please call Michelle Ferguson, Commercial Loan Officer, at 209-396-7716. 

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)  applications   are still being accepted, although SBA has run out of funds for EIDL Advances which were 100% Forgivable. The loans are still inexpensive (3.75% interest for up to 30 years, with a 12-month deferral of your first loan repayment, and these loans can be paid off early with no penalties). For the EIDL, please apply directly with the SBA online at   https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/ . The EIDL Program will end on September 30th, unless they run out of funds earlier.

For more information about these SBA loans or 100% Free and 100% Confidential business consulting with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), please contact Howard White at 925-548-3674 or check us out at    www.ValleySierraSBDC.com  to set up a FREE appointment with one of our consultants - or signup for our FREE seminars!
Stay Calm and Business on!
What ever happened to Vision Sonora?
The Design and Review Committee has met monthly for over 5 years thanks to the leadership of Connie Williams. Our members today are Betty Hobbs, Lauren Hoffman, Laurie Lehmann, Sharon Marovich, Justin Page, Sarah Rogers-Nesper, Mary Rose Axiak-Rutikanga, Charles Segerstrom, Mary Jo Stanley, Collette Such, Connie Williams, and Marianne Wright
 
Take a look here at all of our accomplishments by downloading this document .
 
Most current project:
Working in collaboration with The Sonora Chamber of Commerce we are designing replacements for the banners that have been located on Washington Street for the last 15 years. There will be 24 double-sided banners, 8 designs, three of each. The designs are still in a work in progress but here is an example of what they will look like. Big thank you to the Sonora Chamber of Commerce for funding this project.
 
What other projects are still in the works? Download this document .
 
Want to join the Design and Review Committee? 

Email Colette Such csuch@sonoraca.com



The Sonora Chamber of Commerce Welcomes our New Community Sponsor
Downtown Shoes , located at 4 South Washington Street.
 
They carry a large variety of comfort shoes for men and women in brands that consistently maintain confidence in quality and workmanship.  They cater to everyone from avid walkers, to loggers and construction workers and medical staff. They also carry socks, laces, polish and oil for all shoe types. Their staff will assist you and if they don’t have your size, they will be happy to order it. 
Enjoy Our Farmer's Markets
Twain Harte Mountain Air Market runs each Thursday through September 3 rd

Thursdays
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Eproson Park


Peaceful Valley Farmers Market runs through the
summer and into t he fall

Fridays
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

14888 Peaceful Valley Road
Sonora, California, 95370

The Sonora Farmer's Market will run through the end of October, 2020. 

Saturdays
7:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Cross-streets of
Theall and Stewart

Thank You to Our Community Sponsors
Sonora Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 3084
Sonora, CA 95370
​209-694-4008