CHAMBER News:
Businesses that haven’t already applied payroll protection loans and are interested, the Chamber encourages you to move fast.
This money will again go quickly. If you have questions or need assistance, contact the Chamber and they will help you navigate these resources.
Also, a reminder that the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) became available for self-employed New Mexico yesterday. https://www.dws.state.nm.us/COVID-19-Info. Access the SBDC’s training on PUA here: https://nmsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/12507 which is at 9 a.m., Wednesday, April 25. Find their other trainings here. More info below.
Video campaign for promoting gift card sales for local businesses
The Chamber, MainStreet and LACDC is rolling out a program to encourage community support by purchasing gift cards and online sales through the state’s “BUY FOR TOMORROW TODAY” campaign at: www.BuyNMLocal.com.
- We’re encouraging businesses to create a quick, free profile on the New Mexico Economic Development Department’s website, “Buy for Tomorrow Today,” found at www.BuyNMLocal.com. The idea is to drive traffic to individual business websites that have a PayPal (or other system) set up to sell gift cards and online sales.
- Those with a presence on this site are eligible to be part of our video campaign that will offer businesses another opportunity to promote their offerings during this time. We’re working with PAC 8 on this, and will come to your business to film outside, at a safe distance. Again, this will be free to you, and shared through online channels and with media.
- Don’t have a website or ability to sell gift cards online? Here are some resources to get you up and running quickly:
- Buy NM Local: PayPal Setup with New Mexico MainStreet (NM MainStreet). Download the presentation (pdf) Covers setting up a PayPal Business Account, using Facebook to sell gift cards and other resources.
- NM Techworks is helping build 1,000 websites in 1,000 days and have several upcoming webinars to help you build yours, or create a better website. Join for a FREE online Make-A-Website workshop via Zoom:
- At 2:30 p.m., Thursday, April 30
- 2:30 p.m., Thursday, May 7
The workshops are free and open to all ages, but pre-registration is required, so be sure to register online at:https:////www.nmtechworks.com/make-a-website Upon completion of pre-registration, they will send you the Zoom access info.
NM EDD Upcoming Webinars
- Repositioning Your Economic Development Organization: Helping Businesses, Stakeholders and Revitalization Partners Address Next Steps with the Covid-19 Response Thursday, April 30: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8530047898280359182
- Resources for Small-Scale Developers and Landlords of Commercial Properties within MainStreet and Central Business Districts Thursday, May 7: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1778048147177715214
Watch previous webinar:
- Business Outside the Box: Tools & Resources for Generating Business Income During COVID-19: https://youtu.be/KKbTV0FENYU
Important websites:
- NM Economic Development: https://gonm.biz
- Buy NM Local: www.buynmlocal.com
- New Mexico Census: www.icountnm.gov
- New Mexico MainStreet: www.nmmainstreet.org
Support for Self-Employed New Mexicans
Last week New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions announced that the application for unemployment insurance benefits for self-employed, independent contractors, and gig economy workers became available Sunday, April 26, 2020. These benefits are being offered through the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program.
Workers who became unemployed, had hours reduced, or had an inability to work as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic may qualify for this unemployment assistance.
People who may qualify for PUA include individuals not eligible for regular unemployment benefits:
- the self-employed;
- independent contractors;
- gig economy workers;
- church employees;
- individuals who were previously found monetarily ineligible;
- nonprofit and governmental workers; and
- workers who have exhausted regular unemployment compensation benefits
Applying for PUA is a two-step process that individuals can begin immediately.
Step 1: Individuals will first need to file a regular Unemployment Insurance claim to determine if their income is covered by the regular state Unemployment Insurance (UI) program. If deemed ineligible, they will be cleared to apply for PUA benefits.
Step 2: Once a claimant is deemed ineligible for regular benefits, they will be provided access to apply for PUA benefits through an application link that will appear on their Unemployment Insurance Tax & Claims System homepage. This application became available on Sunday, April 26.
Self-employed, independent contractors, and gig economy workers who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, are encouraged to begin filing claims online at www.jobs.state.nm.us.
Those who have already filed a claim for regular UI benefits do not need to file a new claim. Beginning Sunday, April 26, eligible workers will be able to access the PUA application through their online claim. Claimants will be asked to submit additional information required for PUA eligibility including proof of earnings and proof of employment.
Additional information for workers affected by COVID-19, including frequently asked questions, can be found at www.dws.state.nm.us/COVID-19-Info or newmexico.gov.
UPDATED List of Federal Grants
Attached please find the most recent Federal Grants Advisory. If you see any grants that you would like a letter of support in applying for, please contact Steven Ortega and/or Patricia Dominguez. If you would like 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
Chamber Member News:
CB Fox
CB Fox remains closed per the public health order, but has furniture sales by private appointment by phone. Please look at their Facebook page for items still available (https://www.facebook.com/cbfoxlosalamos). Call Andy Fox to arrange a private appointment by phone. (505).662.2864.
Bennett’s Fine Jewelry Facebook Live Jewelry Sale, 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 28
Bennett’s is having their first Facebook live jewelry sale. It can be found on their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/bennettsfinejewelry/). The sale is at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 28. At the end of the broadcast they are giving away a $400 prize for participating in sharing in the live event. We would like to encourage everyone to support this family owned, local small business. Things are tough right now but we know that birthdays’, anniversaries, graduations continue. And, Mother’s Day is right around the corner.
LANL WebEx Monthly Supplier Forum, Thursday, April 30
This Monthly Forum will be a Web Ex Virtual Supplier Forum starting at 10 a.m. The link to register is below. If you have questions, please contact the Small Business Program Office at business@lanl.gov or 505.667.4419.
LACDC/Chamber/MainStreet Zoom Calls, Restaurant List & Business Status List
The LACDC staff continues to host remote Zoom meetings with the local business community to discuss support options and advocacy. The next one is 10:30 a.m., Tuesday April 28. Please pre-register. You may send questions ahead of time to patrick@losalamos.org.
10:30 a.m. Tuesday April 28
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYvcO-oqjsvGNIBK79iymtNfu1DGwSUAMSn
12 p.m. (noon) Friday May 1
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIodOihpjwtGdxC0SA2zWDukGkYMKs6Ci0w
We are also still curating a list of Los Alamos businesses that are open or closed via the Los Alamos Business Status list, as well as a more visual and downloadable list of open restaurants along with their hours, ordering and delivery options. For any updates or changes to these lists, which can be found on the Chamber, MainStreet and LACDC websites, please contact Los Alamos MainStreet (lauren@losalamos.org) or the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce (ryn@losalamos.org). For information about the Zoom meetings, and many other resources, please visit the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce website: https://losalamoschamber.com/.
Please contact us if we can help you. We hope you will consider participating in the video promotion to help with your online and gift card sales.
