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News, notes and features from the Tahoe Chamber

CEO Message: Support the Small Business Relief Proposal

  Tahoe Chamber  |   October 13, 2021   |   Chamber NewsCommunity NewsMonthly CEO Message

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Based on our conversation with many members, we know that many continue to struggle with staffing shortages, uneven business levels, and concerns about working capital and sustainability. COVID-19 remains an impact as does the effects of the Caldor Fire on outdoor recreation and the US 50 corridor, Tahoe’s primary artery for travel, visitors, and the movement of goods that businesses rely on.

Tahoe Chamber is collaborating with our colleague chambers in western El Dorado, the El Dorado Community Foundation and other organizations that are part of the Business Protection Workgroup. Together, we are working to design and propose another round of small business grants. Our goal is to secure Board of Supervisors approval for $5 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to create a small business grant program. Our group has been developing eligibility criteria and the funding levels that would be available for successful applicants.

In August of last year, Tahoe Chamber worked with this same group to secure Supervisors’ approval for $5 million from the County’s share of federal CARES Act funds for a small business relief program. The impact was immediate and successful. After a careful review of the grant applications, a total of 284 small business grants were awarded throughout the County. Grants of $8,000 or less accounted for 74 grants averaging $3,998.00. The remainder of the grants over $8,000 averaged $20,672.00. 52 of the grants were awarded to businesses in South Lake Tahoe.

Our new proposal is scheduled to be considered by El Dorado Supervisors during their meeting on October 26. The Board will hear many ARPA funding requests that day.

We encourage you to help us help you by contacting District V Supervisor Sue Novasel at bosfive@edcgov.us and Board Chair John Hidahl at bosone@edcgov.us to express your needs and interest in the 2021 County small business relief program and ask for their understanding and support.

You can download our message template here that you can edit and submit.
The more letters we can submit, the more we can amplify the needs of local small businesses.

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