CHAMBER News:
The Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce has received many questions relating to which businesses can operate and in what capacity.
Send questions regarding whether your business is allowed to operate normally or in a reduced capacity (curbside delivery or home delivery), to Patrick Sullivan patrick@losalamos.org of the Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation by noon Friday, April 17.
Sullivan will deliver the questions to the Governor’s office through State Rep. Christine Chandler for a determination.
Include the following information with questions:
- Name of Business;
- Name of owner and contact information;
- Specific question regarding operations; and
- Description of why you believe your business should be classified as essential or be allowed to operate.
LACDC ZOOM Meetings – A Chance to Ask Questions
The LACDC staff continues hosting remote meetings with the local business community to discuss support options and advocacy. Pre-register. Send questions ahead of time to patrick@losalamos.org.
Next Meeting
Noon Friday, April 17
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/vJIodOqhrT8pMY4PgmVeEvmHe6I2Xh-jCg
Community Gift Card Program
From Los Alamos JJAB: “Would you like to help a local restaurant and a community member? During the pandemic, we are all looking for ways to assist others. This community gift card program has been developed to do just that, assist Los Alamos and White Rock community members in need, recognize helpers in our community, and support local eating establishments.”
Restaurants interested in participating should contact Los Alamos JJAB here: https://www.losalamosjjab.com/community-gift-card-program
List of Federal Grants from the NM Congressional Delegation’s Office
Attached is the most recent Federal Grants Advisory. If you see any grants that you would like a letter of support in applying for, contact Steven Ortega and/or Patricia Dominguez. To receive these email messages, email Patricia Dominguez, to be added to the distribution list.
Steven Ortega, NM Delegation Office, Washington, D.C.
Email: Steven_Ortega@tomudall.senate.gov
Office: (202).224.8962
Patricia Dominguez, Field Representative, Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich of NM, 123 E. Marcy St., Suite 103, Santa Fe, NM 87501
E: Patricia_Dominguez@Heinrich.Senate.Gov
Reminder – Still Collecting Responses for NM MainStreet Survey
Thank you to all those who filled out the National Main Street survey last week; we should be receiving our community results this week. The New Mexico MainStreet Economic Vitality Team has created a different short survey for businesses. This complements the data we will receive from the national survey. Please fill this one out, if you didn’t have a chance to take the national survey (or even if you did, as there are some different questions on here): SURVEY. If nothing else, please respond to me directly with anything that Los Alamos MainStreet can do to further support you during this time. Do you need financial assistance before your grants/loans come in? Some type of other support?
From NMED: Restaurant and food delivery service employees should wear gloves and face coverings
The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) recommends that employees working in restaurants, food establishments and grocery stores wear gloves and a face covering when providing customers take-out, door/curbside service, or delivering food.
“Wearing a face covering and gloves is an essential step restaurants and food delivery services can take to fight the spread of COVID-19,” NMED Cabinet Secretary James Kenney said. “The Environment Department is ensuring these best practices are followed by conducting routine and complaint-based inspections of restaurants.”
Most people – including employees in the food service industry – should avoid using N-95 respirators or surgical masks, as these should be reserved for medical personnel. Using gloves and face coverings does not diminish the importance of maintaining social distancing of at least six feet and utilizing proper handwashing techniques.
The New Mexico Department of Health recommends that New Mexicans wear cloth, non-medical face coverings when traveling outside the home for essential outings in alignment with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Learn how to make a face covering here. Additional COVID-19 resources from NMED are available here.
Interesting articles
The New York TImes had an article about the Paycheck Protection Program that might be of interest to local businesses:
There was a link in the article to an official US Treasury fact sheet about the grants/loans:
https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP–Fact-Sheet.pdf
Don’t forget to show your support for the 2020 Census
It has never been easier to respond to the Census on your own — whether online, over the phone, or by mail. Visit 2020Census.gov to complete the Census online, or call (844).330.2020 to talk to a live Census employee who can help you fill out your form over the phone. Para hablar con alguien en español sobre el Censo llame al (844).468.2020. For additional information about responding by phone, including a complete list of available languages, please visit: https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond/responding-by-phone.html.
Los Alamos Business Status List & Restaurant List
The Chamber of Commerce and Los Alamos MainStreet continue to curate the list of Los Alamos businesses that are open or closed:
Similarly, we are attempting to curate a list of restaurants that are open during this time. This list is attached. For updates or changes to either list, please contact Los Alamos MainStreet (lauren@losalamos.org) or the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce (ryn@losalamos.org).
Los Alamos Community Foundation Nonprofit Emergency Response Fund
These funds have been established in partnership with a number of different grant makers in northern New Mexico, to make financial resources available to nonprofits that have been impacted by COVID-19. Nonprofits can apply for $500 – $1,500 grants through their website: https://www.losalamoscf.org/giving/covid-19-nonprofit-emergency-response/. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.
Los Alamos Small Business Development Center
Our own Small Business Development Center Director, Monther Jubran is an excellent resource for questions about the different resources currently available. mjubran@unm.edu.
Contact the Chamber (ryn@losalamos.org or ufemia@losalamos.org) and let us know how we can help you.
