As the snow flies and a white winter sets in, it is a reminder that 2021 is just around the corner.  I’m looking forward to a time again when we can meet together in person while exploring the best way to engage the new technology and tools we learned through this pandemic.  This will be a year for the books and hopefully next year will as well for all the opposite reasons.
 
With the new year comes our compressed in time but full in content 2021 Leadership Institute Program.  This program series of 10 leadership topic specific days is designed to challenge and engage leaders in professional and personal growth while inspiring an entrepreneurial spirit in building a better community.  The program will start on January 27^th and conclude on June 10^th with ten full sessions.   One of our participants last year shared the following:  “The ChamberWest Leadership Institute has been the most valuable leadership course I’ve attended in 15 years of corporate experience.  There is careful thought to every detail of each meeting to ensure the speakers and tours all focus on developing leaders within the community.”  The early bird registration ends Friday.  To learn more about the program and to access an application, visit:  https://chamberwest.com/2021-leadership-institute. 
 
In response to the work being done in Washington DC and key information provided by the US Chamber of Commerce, we sent an email to members of our federal delegation.  We urged them to support bipartisan efforts to enact pandemic relief in the coming weeks and to work with the business community to ensure that relief reaches small businesses as soon as possible.  I want to thank Congressman Ben McAdams, Congressman Chris Stewart, Senator Mitt Romney, and Senator Mike Lee for the work they continue to do on behalf of our businesses and community. 
 
If you have employees that have been out due to COVID, as a reminder, there is a COVID-19 Small Business Quarantined Employee Grant.  This grant provides reimbursement to small businesses with less that 50 employees that maintain salaries for employees required to quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19.  You can learn more about the grant and apply at:  https://laborcommission.utah.gov/small-business-quarantined-employee-grant/.
 
As we have now wrapped up our CW Small Business Advertising Grant Program I want to thank Mayor Jenny Wilson and her Economic Development team for the Salt Lake County Community Partner Grant opportunity.  With this $100,000 grant, we were able to help 20 of our small businesses.  In partnership with Mayor Kristie Overson and staff, the Taylorsville Shop Local Program with 67 small business participating, will wrap up at the end of this week.  It has been very gratifying to be part of programs that lift up and support so many of our businesses and our community. 
 
Meanwhile, as COVID-19 cases continue to increase, remember the resources that are available at: https://coronavirus.utah.gov/.   You can access the most updated Business Manual at:  https://coronavirus-download.utah.gov/business/COVID-19_Business_Packet_FIN.pdf and information on vaccines and expected availability is available at:  https://coronavirus.utah.gov/vaccine.   
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need any additional information.  There is much to continue to be grateful for this year.  Stay safe!
 
Barbara
Barbara S. Riddle, CMP
President/CEO
801-540-6312
www.ChamberWest.com