Latest News & Information
Paycheck Protection Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans Suspended Due to Existing Funding Appropriation Limits
Source: Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade

As you may be aware, applications for the SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans and the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans were suspended due to existing funding appropriation limits. Both the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Treasury are urging Congress to appropriate additional funds into these federal economic programs so that eligible small businesses, nonprofits and independent contractors have the chance to participate and access the funds they need.
 
Current statistics show that the SBA PPP Loan has provided $6 billion in funding to our Colorado small businesses and we are hopeful that this number will continue to grow in the future.
 
The  SBA Express Bridge Loan   and  SBA Debt Relief  programs are still providing funds/relief. We encourage you to review our growing list of Alternative Sources of Funding and reach out to your local communities.

U.S. Chamber Foundation Launches Save Small Business Fund
Applications Open April 20

The U.S. Chamber Foundation is supporting the supplemental financial assistance by launching their Save Small Business Fund . Funded by contributions from corporate and philanthropic partners, the U.S. Chamber Foundation will be providing $5,000 supplemental grants to small employers in economically vulnerable communities.

Applications for the Save Small Business Grant Fund will open this Monday, April 20, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. ET.  There are several eligibility requirements which can be found here . We encourage you to share this information with your members so they can apply for a supplemental grant if they are eligible. Chambers of Commerce may also apply if they meet the eligibility requirements.

For more information on the Save Small Business Grant Fund including qualifications, the application process and FAQs, please  click here.
CMC Responds: Today, Tomorrow, Together

CMC is taking action during these difficult times to help our mountain communities through a multi-pronged effort called CMC Responds: Today, Tomorrow, Together. For the summer 2020 semester, the college is waiving tuition, books and fees for credit classes for new or returning students who qualify as in-district, in-state students who took credit courses in spring 2020, and displaced workers due to COVID-19 public health orders who live in the CMC district.


No Cost Business Coaching and Consulting
Colorado Mountain College is offering no-cost business coaching and consulting services to in-district businesses (see  map ) in this time of need. Get help and support, from general business principles to website design.

In partnership with local chambers and business incubators, CMC is organizing to aid the hundreds of small businesses courageously seeking to reopen or rebuild.



Hospitality Supervision Series Class
This series of classes is designed as an opportunity to up-skill yourself now so you can return to the workforce with the skills necessary to lead a team in hospitality.

GSCRA Joins Nationwide Save Small Business Coalition to Ensure Business Continuity

The Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association has joined the Save Small Business Coalition along with over 100 chambers across the nation and many business associations. The coalition is working on the COVID-19 Business and Employee Continuity and Recovery Fund (the โ€œRecovery Fundโ€).

In short, the Recovery Fund proposal creates a streamlined and tailored federal fund to provide rapid liquidity to small businesses and commercial sectors impaired by COVID-19. The requested relief is targeted to help businesses retain and rehire employees, maintain worker benefits, and resume or continue economic activity. The fund includes anti-abuse provisions, including audits and Special Inspector General with Congressional Oversight Board, and would be leveraged through private sector servicers. 


We are urging our legislators to act on this now, and we encourage small businesses to do so as well. Below is a sample letter and links to contact our Senators and Congressman.


Upcoming Webinars & Town Halls
Senator Bennet Hosts Colorado Small Business Telephone Town Hall Today at 1 p.m.

Members of the Colorado small business community should RSVP  HERE   or at  https://smallbusinessapril17teletownhall.eventbrite.com/ .

Please call in at 12:55 p.m. MT to ensure a prompt start to the discussion.
  

Senator Michael Bennet
Betsy Markey , Executive Director, OEDIT
Glenn Plagens , OEDIT Director, Rural Prosperity & Business Support, CSBDC
Cher Roybal Haavind , Deputy Executive Director/Chief Communications Officer, CDLE
 
Members of the media are welcome to listen in to the call. Please RSVP to  press@bennet.senate.gov   for call-in information.
SBDC Webinars

April 17 | 9 AM-12 PM

April 17 | 9-9:30 AM

April 17 | 11:30-1 PM


The Colorado Small Business Development Center Network consists of 15 regional centers across Colorado. They are hosting a number of webinars to consider attending. These will give you an opportunity to ask questions.

SBDC Friday Resource Calls

TODAY, April 17 at 1 p.m.: TOURISM

Today's call will focus on our tourism markets: What are the projections for this summer, how are regional experts shifting tourism marketing plans, and what might it mean for business? Start planning now on how to pivot business models and retool marketing plans.

Host: Northwest SBDC
Dial-in: 346-248-7799 / Participant ID: 863837735

If the webinar reaches capacity, watch live on YouTube through the  Choose Colorado YouTube Channel .

All regional webinars will be recorded and stored on the  Choose Colorado YouTube Channel . The Northwest links will also be available on the Northwest SBDC website .
Virtual Business & Breakfast: Happiness and Resilience in the Workplace During COVID-19
Tuesday, April 21 | 9 a.m.

Improve productivity and office culture during COVID-19 and beyond by understanding character strengths, positive coping skills, and resiliency. Featuring Hans Lutgring of Mind Springs Health.

This event series is free, open to the public, and presented by the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association, Glenwood Springs Post Independent, BlizzardPress, River Blend Coffee House, Colorado Mountain College, and Garfield County Libraries.

This particular class will be held virtually so BYOB (bring your own breakfast).

Businesses Helping Each Other and the Community #RFVStrong
Inkswell Printing Launches Roaring for Recovery

  • No upfront cost. No inventory.
  • Raise brand awareness for your business.
  • Encourage community involvement.
  • High quality, super soft Bella + Canvas t-shirt
  • Inkswell handles all support and customer service.
  • The more items you sell, the more money you make: Each shirt sale earns $12.








Versatile Productions Launches "Project Stay Connected" Social Media Segments for Chamber Members at No Charge

During this time, Versatile Productions would like to extend their services and give you the opportunity to tell your story and promote your business. As a small business owner, Chris Tribble realizes the importance of keeping connected with customers and clients. Versatile Productions will produce a social media segment for chamber members at no charge. 

Please check out "Project: Stay Connected" on Elevation Lifestyle Network - You Tube channel. This will help understand the mission. 

You will be able to use the video and link to your own social media database. Versatile Productions can accomplish this while maintaining social distancing requirements.

Christopher Tribble
Versatile Productions, Inc
970-379-9262
Bighorn Toyota Helping to Support Restaurants
For every vehicle purchased and delivered between April 8th until the end of the month, Bighorn Toyota will purchase a $100 gift certificate to the local restaurant of the customer's choice! Together, we can help keep our local businesses alive.
Browse online now and when you are ready for a test drive or to make your next vehicle purchase, take advantage of Bighorn's ๐—–๐—ข๐— ๐—ฃ๐—Ÿ๐—œ๐— ๐—˜๐—ก๐—ง๐—”๐—ฅ๐—ฌ ๐—ก๐—ข-๐—–๐—ข๐—ก๐—ง๐—”๐—–๐—ง ๐——๐—˜๐—Ÿ๐—œ๐—ฉ๐—˜๐—ฅ๐—ฌ! Plus ๐—ก๐—ผ ๐—ฃ๐—ฎ๐˜†๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜๐˜€ ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐Ÿต๐Ÿฌ ๐——๐—ฎ๐˜†๐˜€ ๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—ก๐—ฒ๐˜„ ๐—ง๐—ผ๐˜†๐—ผ๐˜๐—ฎ ๐— ๐—ผ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—น๐˜€!
*See dealer for details


How to Support Local Businesses
Open for Business
๏ปฟ
Local businesses need our support now more than ever. The open for businesses page on our website has been created for the community to know what businesses are open during this time, and for businesses to be able to share their status during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Who has local e-Commerce retail options?

Alpine Bank,the GSCRA and other area chambers of commerce have partnered with the  Glenwood Springs Post Independent  to create a page on their website dedicated to our local retailers.

Find LOCAL retail online stores . Retailers can participate at no cost by f illing out this form .
Current Takeout and Delivery Options

Find out who is offering takeout and delivery. This list is updated daily and is also printed in the Post Independent.


Thanks to Bank of Colorado and Post Independent for partnering with us on this service.
#RFVStrong

We are giving thanks for the incredible show of support and compassion from our community during this challenging time.

Letโ€™s share inspiring and empowering stories and photos on social media with   #RFVStrong ! Share about:

  • Locals helping locals.
  • Locals helping small businesses.
  • Small businesses helping locals.
  • Show and practice habits to keep yourself and our community safe, such as practicing proper hygiene and social distancing, working from home, avoiding crowds, and not hoarding toilet paper and other supplies at the supermarket.
  • It takes a Valley! Letโ€™s inspire each other!
Helpful Links