Durango’s voters approved Ballot Issue 4A, a $90 million bond issues to the Durango School District 9-R. $63 million of that bond can be spent on local contracts, and the Alliance wants to help local businesses succeed in securing those contracts.
Fill out this form for contractor participation registration.
As we finish the year 2020, we have learned a lot when it comes to Manufacturing. Many manufacturers have made a pivot to adjust to COVID requests for PPE. Some have seen an opportunity and made a Pivot in a different direction. How do you know when the time is right to pivot in manufacturing? Join us as we hear from experts around knowing when to pivot. The World Trade Center will discuss import and export matters both in and out of the country. Hear some pivot success stories during COVID, both directly and indirectly related. Learn the new benefits from the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) in 2021. Lastly, take a few minutes to learn some new tools for managing stress in a virtual workplace.
Watch the recording at
Investor Updates
CoronaDoc Information Program available for Organizations
San Juan Basin Public Health (SJBPH) is pleased to announce CoronaDoc, a confidential medical professional volunteer program to assist local employers, agencies, schools, and other organizations in educating their employees/members about COVID-19 and best practices for prevention, reducing spread, treatments, upcoming vaccine distribution, and more. The program is focused on short presentations delivered by medical professionals, followed by question and answer sessions for participants.
The program is approved and supported by SJBPH but implemented by volunteer administrators and doctors. “The concept was brought to us by long-time locals Jack Turner and Dr. Joe Murphy,” said SJBPH Executive Director Liane Jollon. “The goal is to offer professional medical information about coronavirus and answer questions for frontline managers, employees, and others.” SJBPH and other partners provide COVID-19 data and information on a variety of COVID-related subjects, such as public health orders and guidance, quarantine and isolation, where to get tested, and where to find resources. Having timely access to medical professionals through the CoronaDoc program will provide a valuable connection for those who have concerns or questions.
“Television, social media, friends, and acquaintances are the primary sources of information about what coronavirus is and what it does,” says Turner, who developed the CoronaDoc program. “Our thought was that most people could benefit from and be reassured by a medical expert rather than relying on something Uncle Marvin heard at the hardware store.” The free presentations take about fifteen minutes, with an additional fifteen minutes allowed for participant questions. The program is confidential and non-judgmental. “We are not a reporting or enforcement agency. We don’t even share what businesses or organizations participate in the program unless they give us permission to do so,” Turner said. Volunteers will also demonstrate the “AidToAll” financial assistance application, locally developed by Matt Taylor, at the conclusion of each CoronaDoc presentation.
“We’re really pleased to partner with community volunteers to offer an additional source of information about the virus and the pandemic,” added Jollon. “With the proliferation of information, including, sadly, misinformation, out in the world, hopefully, businesses and community organizations will take advantage of this program, hear from a respected local physician, and take advantage of financial assistance so we can all get through the winter as a community.”
For more information or to schedule a presentation, sign up using the CoronaDoc form here.
For more information on the COVID-19 pandemic, see:https://sjbpublichealth.
The Alliance held our December Membership Meeting today with a comprehensive update from SJPH, an outline on the 5 Star Certification timeline, Education opening updates, and grant information. Here is the LINK to view the recording of the meeting in its entirety.
Governor Jared Polis signed nine bills into law yesterday that will provide broad relief to those impacted by COVID-19. Monies will be distributed by local governments and may take a few weeks to be made available.
“We took immediate bipartisan action here in Colorado to provide relief to our small businesses, childcare providers, and hardworking families. We will all continue to face challenges in the weeks and months ahead and we urge Washington to step up and provide real relief to the people who need it most,” said Governor Jared Polis. “There is light at the end of the tunnel. I thank state lawmakers and legislative leadership for their collaboration and I’m proud we could come together to ensure we can build back stronger than before.”
The Governor signed the following Bills as part of 20B:
Flu Shots for frontline workers in Bayfield this Saturday
TBK Bank will present a free Bayfield community drive-thru flu shot clinic, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. this Saturday, December 12, 2020, on the west side of the Pine Cone Restaurant at Commerce Drive and Bayfield Center Drive. Front line workers in retail, restaurant, and personal care, who may not typically get a seasonal flu shot are encouraged to attend. Any under or uninsured adults and children are welcome as well. Coupons for free ice-cream cones at The Pine Cone Restaurant, along with merchandise and samples from TBK Bank and Tailwind Nutrition will be provided. If you have private coverage or Medicare, Part B – please make an appointment with Bayfield Pharmacy (970) 884-9133 or your preferred pharmacy or medical office. The clinic is in partnership with the Town of Bayfield, San Juan Basin Public Health, TBK Bank, Lewis True Value, Tailwind Nutrition, and the Pine River Valley Centennial Rotary Club. Pettersen & Sonnenberg.
LA PLATA CARES FUND APPLICATION OPEN NOW
VISIT www.localfirst.aidtoall.org FOR INFO AND TO APPLY
La Plata Cares is providing grants of up to $10,000 to reimburse non-profit and for-profit businesses for necessary expenditures incurred between March 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020 due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. La Plata County engaged Local First to administer these funds, in partnership with Aid to All. A total of $810,000 is available with the potential of up to $1 million depending on how funds are distributed.
Eligibility-Funds must be used for out of pocket expenses such as PPE, building safety and technology safety upgrades, response measures such as temperature screening and testing, advertising/marketing due to COVID, and legal or consulting support directly related to COVID. The goal of La Plata Cares is to maximize impact of these funds to assist the small business community in the most equitable and impactful way possible.
Applications are now open until Friday, October 23rd, with awards announced in early November. More information can be found online at the link below. If additional funding exists, another application round will be opened in order to disburse funds by December 30, 2020
The Alliance has developed a Request for Information (RFI) form to help connect businesses and property owners together in an effort to help businesses find room to expand in La Plata County. Check out the article in the Durango Herald. To learn more please contact the Alliance.