Mancos Valley
Where the West Still Lives
April 2, 2020
A Note from the Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce
To our chamber members,
 
Today, and every day, we thank you for your membership. Please have confidence that the Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce is here for you in all seasons of business. We know this pandemic has impacted you in major ways and we are here to help.
 
From this point, our newsletter will be covering all issues for Montezuma County and our economic recovery. Below you will find a list of resources and links to help our community get through these times. We will do our best to keep you updated, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need more information.
 
With certainty for better times ahead,

Maggie Goodell
Director
Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce
We are here to help!
In response to the COVID-19 crisis and the need for crisis leadership in our local business communities, the Cortez, Dolores and Mancos Chambers of Commerce have teamed up to create the Montezuma Business Task Force (MBT). This task force will consist of key organizations and community and business leaders: Region 9 Economic Development, the Mesa Verde Country Tourism Office, county and city officials and administrators, grant writing and fundraising professionals, and local business advocates.We have two major areas of focus: Immediate crisis and business support and future economic and business development ideas for our county. During the COVID-19 crisis, the taskforce will be focusing on ways to connect businesses with various types of loans and grants locally, statewide and federally, and telling our congressmen how they can help businesses best in Montezuma County.

In order to maximize its effectiveness, the MBT will need to collect accurate data from our local business communities, and to hear the voices and stories of business owners throughout the county. As one means of collecting that data, the MBT has created the Montezuma Business Survey. Results of this survey will be presented to our local, state and federal legislators to communicate specific impacts on our area businesses and indicate areas needing particular support or assistance.
We urge ALL BUSINESS OWNERS to complete the survey. A link to the survey is now available on the Mancos, Dolores, and Cortez Chamber of Commerce websites and their respective Facebook pages. It can also be accessed here:   https://form.jotform.com/200845228555053
In order to expedite and support its data collection, the MBT has recruited a volunteer team of Chamber Ambassadors who will also call around to area businesses, answering questions about the survey and listening to business needs. If you’d like to volunteer your time as a Chamber Ambassador, please contact Rocky Moss at info@cortezchamber.com.
We also invite the public to join our Facebook Group, the Montezuma Business Coalition, where all area businesses can share updated information and ideas. This Facebook Group is open to all.
Finally, there is a COVID-19 Business Directory on the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce website. The directory includes current information on business hours, business contact information, and special instructions. Please register your business there and upload or update your restaurant menus, drive-through hours, delivery instructions, contact information, and links.
For more information, contact:
Susan Lisak
Executive Director
Dolores Chamber of Commerce
(970)426-9902 mobile
doloreschamber@gmail.com
Rocky Moss
Executive Director
Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce
info@cortezchamber.com
Maggie Goodell
Executive Director
Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce
chamber@mancosvalley.com
Please fill out our business survey! Let us know what you need, let your voice be heard!
A list of references and articles to help our community navigate benefits.
CCI UPDATES AND RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THE ARTS DURING COVID-19

Resources for workers: Colorado Dept of Workforce & Employment is constantly updating their website. https://www.colorado.gov/cdle
· Emergency Paid Leave Rule - This rule is meant to limit the spread of highly contagious disease and enables workers in at-risk occupations to access testing.
· Unemployment Insurance - During layoffs, all employees are encouraged to apply for unemployment insurance. Those who are job-attached (meaning workers will be expected to return after a separation of up to 16 weeks) should file as "job-attached."
· Work-Share Program may allow certain employees who have had reduced hours to claim partial unemployment benefits.

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Colorado Small Businesses Economically Impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela . Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Montezuma County Business Coalition
In collaboration with other key area organizations, we have established the Montezuma County Business Coalition Facebook Group for business owners, organization managers, and anyone connected to the business community in Montezuma County. A link to join this group is https://www.facebook.com/groups/montezumabusinesscoalition/ We will use this group page to disseminate important business-specific information from area agencies to our business community.


👉 *** WE WANT YOU *** 👈
We are recruiting Chamber Ambassadors. During "normal" times, our Ambassadors help us welcome new business and manage events. When activated for a disaster, our Ambassadors help us reach out to area businesses, report back needs, promote them, and develop ideas for ways to keep our businesses connected to information and customers. All types of opportunities available. All abilities welcome.
First meeting TBA week of 3/23.
Need Help?
Want to Help?
FOOD ASSISTANCE INFORMATION:

The Good Samaritan Center food pantry and The Sharehouse , both located at 30 N. Beech Street in Cortez, are facilitating emergency food response in conjunction with many food assistance organizations in the wake of COVID-19.

Visit  https://www.montezumafoodcoalition.org/covid19-mutual-aid  to sign up for volunteer opportunities, to sign up for food or other assistance, or to make a donation to help us buy food and supplies.
 
If you have food and/or household supplies that you would like to donate, you can drop them off at The Sharehouse any day between noon-4:00, 30 N. Beech St., Cortez.
 
For more information:
Kirbi Foster, Good Samaritan  director@goodsamaritancortez.org
Laurie Hall, The Sharehouse  info@montezumafoodcoalition.org
From the Town of Mancos: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mancos Town Hall will be closed to the public effective Friday, March 20, 2020. Staff will be available via phone at (970) 533-7725 or via email to answer questions. Utility payments may be made online at  www.xpressbillpay.com  or via telephone at (800) 766-2350. You will need your account number. Payments may also be placed in the drop box in front of Town Hall . The situation will be evaluated regularly as the situation unfolds.
Other News
Montezuma County-property tax-Montezuma County is waiving interest and late payment fees for 30 days.

If you cannot pay your utility bills please contact your local utilities and discuss arrangements. Many are offering deferred payments and/or assistance.
If you have information or services you want shared, please send me the information via email at Chamber@MancosValley.com or relay it through Facebook Messenger.
Be Safe!
Mancos Valley
Chamber of Commerce
970-533-7434