Launch of COVID-19 Business Task Force
NEVADA CITY
At the end of March, over 75 business and nonprofit leaders participated in a kick-off video call to launch the Nevada County COVID-19 Business Task Force, led by board chair Heidi Hall and vice chair Dan Miller.
Task force members include leaders of countywide business organizations, nonprofits, and elected officials with an extensive reach to all sectors of the economy. At press time, over 65 organizations such as chambers of commerce, merchant associations, nonprofits, and others active in the area of economic health, as well as the elected leadership of Grass Valley, Nevada City, and Truckee, have joined the effort.
Businesses are encouraged to connect to the task force’s work:
- Find the latest general county updates at: mynevadacounty.com/coronavirus
- Subscribe to the listserve for latest information via email at: mynevadacounty.com/ businessresourcessubscription
- Network on the Facebook group, Collaborative Resources for Nevada County Businesses at facebook.com/groups/260332114973091/
~ Nevada County press release
North Lake Tahoe Launches Gift Card Program to Support Local Businesses
NORTH LAKE TAHOE
Supporting small businesses in North Lake Tahoe is now easier due to a recently launched gift card program at nltra.org. A new purchasing portal on the website fosters a Shop Local; Shop Small message and features gift cards from more than 70 local businesses, including lodging properties, retailers, activity providers, and restaurants. The program is a simple but effective way to support the North Shore business community.
The North Lake Tahoe Resort Association/Chamber of Commerce joined together with Placer County, North Tahoe Business Association, and Tahoe City Downtown Association to launch the gift card program. The purchasing portal will have a list of businesses that currently sell gift cards online or by phone. Customers can then click on the “Purchase a Gift Card” button and be linked directly to the business website where gift cards are available.
For businesses who don’t have a gift card program in place, find a DIY toolkit on nltra.org. If a business is not signed up for the North Lake Tahoe gift card program, please contact sarah@gotahoenorth.com to be included.
~ NLTRA press release
Vail Resorts Announces 2019/20 Pass Holder Credits, Epic Coverage
BROOMFIELD, COLORADO
Vail Resorts recently announced a comprehensive plan to address pass holders’ concerns about the 2019/20 season’s closures, and provide them with peace of mind for the future.
Pass holders for the 2019/20 season will receive credits ranging from 20% to 80%, if they weren’t able to use their pass at all. The company also announced the introduction of free Epic Coverage for the 2020/21 season, which will provide cash refunds to pass holders for certain resort closures, including for events like COVID-19, as well as refunds for eligible personal events like job loss, illness, and more. And finally, Vail is extending all spring deadlines until Labor Day.
~ Vail Resorts press release
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe to Add 112 Acres
SPARKS
The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest has issued the Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe Atoma Area Expansion Record of Decision and Environmental Impact Statement. Of those presented, forest supervisor Bill Dunkelberger selected and authorized alternative 3, “because it improves the quality of the ski area’s winter sports offerings on National Forest System (NFS) lands, while minimizing environmental and human impacts,” according to a press release.
The selected alternative amends Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe’s existing special use permit by approximately 112 acres to incorporate a portion of the Atoma area, located on the north side of Nevada State Route 431 (Mount Rose Highway). This alternative allows the ski resort to build a two-stage chairlift, 11 new ski trails, and a skier bridge across the highway to connect the main ski area to the new terrain; a water pipeline to provide new snowmaking coverage; and a 5 million- gallon water tank to support snowmaking.
A forest plan amendment is also a part of alternative 3, restricting any future development of commercial uses on approximately 3,446 acres of NFS lands in the area known as Galena Land Exchange (with the exception of the 112-acre Atoma and 168-acre Chutes areas).
~ Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest press release
Nominations Open for Partnerships for Industry and Education Contest
TRUCKEE
Sierra Business Council has announced that its partners at California Forward are on the hunt for innovative partnerships and collaborations between California employers and educators. Nominations are now open for the fourth annual 2020 Partnerships for Industry and Education (PIE) Contest, which seeks to identify and honor innovative employer-education partnerships that are successfully preparing workers to meet the needs of California’s economy.
The contest seeks out individuals and organizations who are working together to better prepare the workforce for the future and provide local industry the skilled talent they need to succeed. Learn more about the criteria for nominations and nominate people at summit.caeconomy.org. You can submit more than one nomination and you can even self- nominate. Nominations are due by June 15.
SBC has also received a commitment from The North Face for $20,000 to the Big Day of Giving campaign. The North Face’s donation will increase Sierra Business Council’s programmatic capacity and help gateway communities for outdoor recreation (including Mammoth Lakes, Bishop, Tahoe, Yosemite, Gold Country, and many other destinations in the Sierra) bounce back from this crisis.
~ Sierra Business Council newsletter
Resilience Fund Seeks to Raise $5 Million for Area Businesses
TRUCKEE
The Resilience Fund – Sierra launched as a long-term loan platform leveraging community resources to provide small business owners within the Truckee/ North Tahoe region financial assistance, resources, and guidance to weather the COVID-19 crisis and prepare for reopening. In partnership with Sierra Business Council, the program empowers community members to help their own towns immediately. Locals and supporters of Truckee/North Tahoe can invest in the fund to support economic growth. The goal of the Resilience Fund is to raise $5 million to improve 400 area businesses. To learn more about the Resilience Fund – Sierra, apply for assistance from the platform, or apply to become a business coach, visit resiliencefund.org.
~ Resilience Fund press release
[re]Live Your Best Trip
RENO
The Reno-Tahoe International Airport has implemented a new social media campaign, [re]Live Your Best Trip @RNO, encouraging people to share memorable and special experiences through air travel. Tell the story of the best trip you’ve ever taken that started at RNO. Was it posing with Mickey Mouse near Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, the dog that ran away with your sandwich at the beach, your grandmother meeting her great-grandchild for the first time, or when you and your best friend explored a new city and found that amazing restaurant? Get creative. There will be voting and winners will receive RNO swag and airline gift cards. RNO may also highlight your stories on renoairport.com, feature them on social media, or even create a display in the airport’s depARTures gallery.
Send the airport a few sentences about that trip, along with your best photo to liveyourbest@renoairport.com through May 21. Winners will be notified by May 31. More details: renoairport.com/passenger-info/live-best-trip
~ RNO press release
Public Art Sculptures Inside Raley’s
TRUCKEE
As grocery stores pop up like crocuses after the snow, a collaboration of companies is working to make one of Truckee’s upcoming grocery stores, Raley’s, a work of art. Mountain Forge Inc. was commissioned to create multiple massive public art sculptures spanning across the entire south and west walls of the new Raley’s store — over 4,850 pounds of hand-forged and fabricated mixed metal for the art pieces.
The art piece is ready, though the store itself is not. “The Teel Family commissioned the Standteiner Family to forge something amazing for the new store, and we did!” explained Jennifer Standteiner, owner of family-owned Mountain Forge. “The sculpture is massive!”
~ Mountain Forge
Free Immune Booster Infusions for Healthcare Workers
TRUCKEE
The Infused Group, a new medical clinic in downtown Truckee, is offering immune booster vitamin infusions, at no cost, to any healthcare worker in the Tahoe community. The booster includes Vitamin B12, B complex, Vitamin C, Glutathione, Zinc, Taurine, and Vitamin D in a lactated ringer bag. The Infused Group is located at 10075 West River St., Suite B.
The clinic, offering concierge medicine, mental health and ketamine-assisted therapy, functional medicine, and IV vitamin support, was scheduled to open in March. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the opening is delayed for the general public.
~ The Infused Group
Calm Anxiety Walking Your Dog
TRUCKEE
Clinical Psychologist Dr. Cathy Reimers offers online anxiety reduction and dog mindfulness programs. The knowledge of evidenced-based anxiety reduction techniques, combined with the practices of mindfulness, is a proven method for managing anxiety. Especially with the isolation of social distancing and increased anxiety due to the coronavirus, her goal is to help as many people as possible. As a clinical psychologist with 30 years of experience, she specializes in the treatment of anxiety and has created the Dog Mindfulness Program.
This eight-week online program includes sessions of 50 minutes each through video conferencing. Clients will learn anxiety reduction techniques that are tailored to cue into positive behaviors and mindfulness through daily exercises with their dog. You can find more information on her website anxietyreductionprograms.com or by calling (530) 414-9977.
~ Dr. Cathy Reimers press release
