The Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce continues monitoring and responding to the evolving situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19). We are in direct communication with numerous sources, including local and state emergency services, to assure we are receiving current and accurate information and will endeavor to share information with our members in a timely manner as it becomes available to us. We remain committed to protect the health and well-being of our members, employees, and all of our Nye County citizens and its more vulnerable populations. 

As city, state, and federal officials continue to monitor and react to the COVID-19 (Corona-virus) pandemic, governments are taking a variety of actions including limiting group events, closing schools, and suspending non-essential business operations. As of March 17th, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak announced a statewide closure of all "non-essential" businesses for 30 days amid the corona-virus outbreak. The closure applies to all casinos and other nonessential businesses. The move followed the statewide closing of K-12 schools that the governor ordered on Sunday.  Therefore, the Chamber of Commerce has temporarily closed its offices, but will continue to be operational, Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and are looking at all new options for member service provision moving forward. We are committed to be as responsive as possible to our members and to be your reliable partner here in the community. We can be directly contacted via our emails, social media (Facebook) and online though our website.  We will be checking messages but respectfully ask that these contacts via phone be limited to chamber business and membership service issues only.  

As part of our close partnership with various community partners, government agencies and emergency services, we will be sharing information as it becomes available regarding support and resource services which may be available to our businesses in Nye County. We will be sharing this information on our website, our Facebook page and in newsletters and email blasts to our membership. We will also be including various links to resources to assist you in getting the information you need and that includes current and accurate health related status reports and information.

We recognize these are unprecedented and uncertain times and wish to assure you we understand your concerns and recognize the potential impact to our members and small businesses during these difficult times.  For this reason we are pleased to inform you that the U.S. Small Business Administration is now offering Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million for working capital to those that are in need of a cash infusion in order to forestall layoffs or shut downs. These loans are also available to non-profit organizations. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid due to the economic impact of this pandemic. The loans provide a maximum of 30 years for long-term repayment. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based on each business owner’s ability to repay. Small Business Administration: 1-800-659-2955 or e-mail: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. 

Also, please utilize the links below to see Corona-virus workplace guidance and loan information for small businesses:

https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources#section-header-0

https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources

https://dem.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/demnvgov/content/Home/Economic%20Injury%20Worksheet%20-%20051410.pdf

In addition to this, and separate from the SBA loans, and as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Congress has passed the “Payroll Protection Program”. This is a nearly $350-billion program intended to provide American small businesses with eight weeks of cash-flow assistance through 100 percent federally guaranteed loans.  For more information about the Paycheck Protection Program - FAQs for Small Businesses:

https://www.apma.org/files/2017/paycheckprotectionprogramfaqsforsmallbusinesses.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0N3zPaYijtkbnLmZ1y8XbjWZk1jazU9S9AB1IbEgMoYgW_PmxLhv_vH54 

Additionally, the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation is advising that should an employee need to file for unemployment insurance, Nevada’s Unemployment Insurance Claim Filing System should be used rather than visiting a DETR office.

Employees should visit http://ui.nv.gov/css.html

Employers should visit: http://ui.nv.gov./ess.html.

For all parents of students of the Nye County School District, and who may be without the means to provide breakfast and/or lunch during the week, please see the following information:

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/626318/20-03-19_-_NCSD_Food_Distribution_UPDATED.pdf

We encourage you to shop local, order take out and delivery, utilize drive through services and support your local businesses!

We wish to once again remind everyone to remain calm and use common sense, be mindful of “social distancing” and please let’s all try to show the better side of humanity in our interaction with one another, and be kind. Thank you for your continued support. Be calm...be well everyone and remember we are all in this together; “This too shall pass”.

Sincerely,
Jenney Sartin
Chief Executive Officer

Additional Resources and Information:

https://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/coronavirus/

https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf

https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/

https://hub.jhu.edu/2020/03/13/what-is-social-distancing/

https://www.nyecounty.net/1066/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Information

http://dpbh.nv.gov/coronavirus/