Bishop Chamber of Commerce News & Updates
From the Executive Director…
Hello Chamber Members and Friends,
Spring has definitely sprung and we are busy gearing up for many important events and projects.
Tomorrow, we are headed to San Antonio for IPW, the premier international travel trade event hosted by US Travel Association. This is the first time Bishop and Inyo will be represented and we are thrilled to be teaming up with our regional partners Mono County and High Sierra Visitors Council.
The following week, it will be “all hands on deck” in the Bishop Visitor Center as we welcome guests for Mule Days and the Memorial Day Holiday. If you haven’t purchased tickets for Mule Days yet, you definitely should!
There are many wonderful events scheduled for the next several weeks – check out the calendar on www.bishopvisitor.com.
A few weeks after Mule Days, CA High School Rodeo State Final Championship will bring 300+ of the state’s best cowboys and cowgirls to Bishop for a week of great fun and serious competition. The Bishop Chamber of Commerce and Tri-County Fairgrounds are seeking co-sponsors to help off-set the costs of hosting this prestigious event. We hope you’ll take a look at the sponsor packet. We’re also seeking volunteers to help serve the welcome dinner and sell tickets.
There are two important surveys included in this message – we hope you will take time to complete them and help spread the word to others in our community. Everyone should weigh-in on these important economic development topics!
As always, we appreciate your continuing support!
Tawni
Bishop Chamber of Commerce Board Member Candidates…
The Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau (BACCVB) has several positions open for the upcoming Board of Directors election. All current member business owners, or their designated representatives, are eligible to run for a seat on the board. The election is conducted by mail-in vote of the membership and elected directors will serve a three-year term beginning July 1, 2023.
BACCVB has a long-standing reputation for providing excellent service in our community. It is a positive and proactive organization that works diligently to sustain and improve the local economy. The organization’s mission is to promote business, tourism, and responsible recreation for the benefit of our community. The all-volunteer Board of Directors meets once each month. They provide strategic direction, policy, and financial oversight to BACCVB staff.
There will be eight seats available in this year’s election; three will be from the lodging community and the others can represent any industry. Businesses of any size and sector are welcome.
Anyone interested in running for a seat on the BACCVB Board should contact Tawni Thomson by email [email protected] or call (760)873-8405. Deadline to appear on this year’s ballot is Thursday, May 25th, 2023.
Please take this survey!
You may have heard by now that Inyo, Mono and Alpine Counties are working together to create a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the Eastern Sierra region. This important planning effort will use a data- and stakeholder-informed process to identify priorities and opportunities to bring economic growth the region.
The final portion of the stakeholder engagement process is a survey, and we are hopeful you will take a few minutes to answer questions and provide comments.
The survey takes approximately 10 minutes and closes on Wednesday, 5/24.
The survey is now live and available online in both English and Spanish. Please take the survey yourself and share with your professional and personal contacts. Feel free to forward this email and share the link on social media – the more responses received, the better!
CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY NOW.
Why is this important?
A Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is a formal document that meets the guidelines put forth by the Economic Development Administration (EDA). The EDA defines a CEDS as “a strategy-driven plan for regional economic development. A CEDS is the result of a regionally-owned planning process designed to build capacity and guide the economic prosperity and resiliency of an area or region.” When a region has a CEDS, it is eligible for funding opportunities made available through the EDA’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs to advance recommendations and priorities identified in the CEDS. Once our region has a CEDS, we’ll be eligible to apply for many Federal grants that we currently cannot access.
Help for Businesses Affected by Winter Storms…
For most small businesses and non-profits in our region, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. If your business had economic losses due to the severe weather, you may qualify for low interest loans. Economic injury assistance is available to businesses regardless of any property damage. Click here to learn more.
Inyo County Residents Urged to take Broadband Survey
The California Department of Technology has released an online survey to help determine barriers to internet access, affordability, and adoption, including in rural counties like Inyo.
The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete and will help inform development of California’s State Digital Equity Plan – an effort to identify ways to ensure all Californians have access to high-quality and affordable internet service, devices, skills training, and digital support.
The survey is completely anonymous and available in 14 languages. No personally identifying information (e.g., name, email, address) is requested, but the survey does collect demographic information to help ensure all neighborhoods and demographic groups are being represented.
From Our Friends at High Sierra Energy…
Eastern Sierra Green Business Program Rebates Available – Getting your business Green Certified is a great idea for local business, the environment and the community! There is a $500 rebate available to support your business’ journey to getting green certified — and if you’re a BIPOC business owner and/or a LADWP customer, there are additional $500 rebates available, bringing the potential rebate to $1,500. Click here to learn more.
Power Saver Rewards Program Offers Incentives to Consumers Who Reduce Energy During Flex Alerts – With Power Saver Rewards, you can earn a credit on your energy bill when you reduce your energy usage during a Flex Alert. Flex Alerts notify you to reduce your energy use to help prevent a power outage when there’s a strain on the energy grid. Flex Alerts are typically issued between May and October from 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Learn about ways you can get a credit on your energy bill through the Power Saver Rewards program by visiting: PowerSaverRewards.org
Last Call for the Sierra Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program – Up to $9M is available in grants through the California Department of Food and Agriculture to fund energy-efficient refrigeration equipment in corner stores, small businesses, and food donation programs in low-income areas or communities with low access to full-service grocery stores. The deadline for applications is June 6 so please reach out to us if you’re interested! If you qualify for the program, High Sierra Energy Foundation can provide free application support and technical assistance to help you apply. Click here to learn more.
Email Jess Blackwell at [email protected] with any questions.
PLAN AHEAD!
Check out the new website www.ready.inyocounty.us
This winter’s epic snowfall in the mountains may lead to extreme runoff in the Owens Valley. This helpful website will help you be prepared to protect your property and yourself.
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