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North San Antonio Chamber Members and Partners,

Greetings and Happy New Year!

In my final message of the year, I reflected on the past year acknowledging the challenges of the year and the hope, faith, and resilience that we experienced within our families and communities despite all else. I hope you were able to read my message and review our Milestones. If not, you can find it here.

My message today reinforces our vision to serve our community as one of the most dynamic advocacy organizations with the mission to help strengthen our Member businesses through the delivery of legislative advocacy, professional development, engagement, and leadership programs. We will look forward and remain focused on being resilient and responsive to our Members’ needs. 

Although we expect a challenging year ahead, I am optimistic because we have so much to look forward to from the abundance of opportunities that are in front of us. Beginning with welcoming our 2021 North San Antonio Chamber Board of Directors, including this year’s Chairman of the Board, Trey Dawson, whose vision this year is to keep improving upon the excellent reputation of the North San Antonio Chamber as an organization that will always speak up for its Members. Chairman Dawson is supported by a strong Executive Council and Board of Directors, including a slate of newly appointed Directors whom we will highlight in our upcoming CEO Connect, newletters.

I also want to highlight that we are hiring and in search of a Director of Communications & Marketing to join our team. See below for more information.

We are committed to working with our Members, partners, and local, state, and federal leaders to help in the pandemic response and recovery process, including supporting efforts that keep in mind the comprehensive needs of the business community that is critical to strengthening our economy and creating jobs that last.
 
What I'm reading today:


Stay Safe and Healthy.

Sincerely,
2021 Board of Directors | North SA Chamber Welcomes Newly Appointed Members
New NSAC Board Members:

Please send a resume and cover letter to nsac@northsachamber.com. The deadline is Friday, January 29.
Re-Open Texas | Local & State Updates
January 5 | Governor Abbott Renews COVID-19 Disaster Declaration

In December, under Executive Order (GA-32), Governor Abbott elevated restrictions in areas in which the number of COVID hospitalized patients as a percentage of total hospital capacity exceeds 15% for seven consecutive days are deemed "high hospitalization" areas. If an area becomes a “high hospitalization” area, then any business with a 75% occupancy limit under GA-32 is reduced to only 50% occupancy limit.

On December 29 Bexar County hospitals reached 15.1% COVID patients marking the seventh consecutive day above 15%. Therefore, the reduced 50% occupancy limits will go into effect on December 29, 2020.

On January 5, Governor Abbott renewed the COVID-19 Disaster Declaration. Read More
December 28 | Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff Issued New Executive Order
 
Judge Wolff issued an Executive Order effective December 28, 2020, and continuing until fourteen (14) days following the termination of the state-wide public health emergency as declared by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, unless extended, modified, or terminated early by Bexar County Judge Nelson W. Wolff. No updates to the Executive Order has been provided.

Federal Updates
PPP Loan Program Re-Opens for First and Second PPP Loans 

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans are extended through March 31, 2021. Small businesses must apply for loans through qualified financial institutions. Both loans are eligible for forgiveness if used according to program requirements.

1st PPP Loan Eligibility:
  • 500 or fewer employees (sole proprietor, independent contractor, or self-employed individual)
  • In business prior to February 15, 2020


2nd PPP Loan Eligibility:
  • 300 or fewer employees (sole proprietor, independent contractor, or self-employed individual)
  • 25% or more reduction in (Q1-4) gross receipts in 2020 compared to the same quarters in 2019 or 25% reduction in annual receipts in 2020 compared to 2019
  • Used all the funds from the first PPP loan (forgiveness requests not required, yet)
  • In business prior to February 15, 2020
Tap on image to for more information.
January 14 | Small Business Administration (SBA) Shuttered Venue Operators Grant

SBA released the overview and criteria for emergency assistance grants for eligible venues affected by the COVID pandemic. More information can be found here.

The Government Affairs Council serves as an advocate for Member businesses and their employees before municipal, county, state, and federal officials on political policy issues impacting the economic growth, quality of life, and financial health of local industries. The Council informs and educates Members on proposed initiatives, policies, and legislation which may affect the way business in San Antonio is conducted.
February 12 | Deadline to File Applications for Place on May 2021 General Election Ballot


Important Election Dates:
January 13 | First day to Submit Application for a Place on the Ballot
January 15, 5 pm | Semi-Annual Campaign and Expenditure Report Due. 
January 18 | Martin Luther King Holiday. County and Municipal Offices Closed.  
February 12, 5 pm | Last day to Submit Application for a Place on the Ballot
May 1 | Election Day

Candidate Residency Requirements | Ordinance 2017-11-30-0920, City Council Candidates are required to submit TWO supplemental documents to verify residency with an application for a Place on the Ballot
¡VIVA SAN ANTONIO 2021! | March 2 - 4, 2021
The 87th Texas Legislative Session will be unlike any we have experienced in over one hundred years. Due to the uncertainties of the pandemic and new Capitol safety protocols for in-person meetings, Chamber partners are hosting a 3-day virtual ¡VIVA San Antonio! that will include remarks from State Leadership, Comptroller Glenn Hegar, and members of the Bexar County Delegation and opportunities to participate in virtual one-on-one meetings with legislators and make your voice heard.

2021 ¡VIVA San Antonio! is chaired by Tyler Lowe, Manager of Community and Government Relations for Vulcan Materials Company, and brought to you in partnership with the San Antonio North, South, and Hispanic Chambers of Commerce and the San Antonio Mobility Coalition.

January 12 | Texas Comptroller Releases Biennial Revenue Estimate

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar released the Biennial Revenue Estimate (BRE) today, showing the state is projected to have $112.5 billion in revenue available for general-purpose spending during the 2022-23 biennium.

The revenue estimate represents a 0.4 percent decrease from funds available for the 2020-21 biennium. The decline is a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused revenue collections to fall short of what was expected when the Legislature approved the 2020-21 budget; the ending 2020-21 balance will be close to -$1 billion. Read More.
February 2 | Government Affairs Council Meeting

Thank you to our new Bexar County Commissioner, Trish DeBerry, for visiting with the Government Affairs Council at the January Council meeting where she shared her priorities for 2021 and her 1st term of office.

Please join us for the next Government Affairs meeting. We will have a full agenda starting with our guest speaker, Tony Gonzalez, U.S. House of Representatives, Texas 23rd Congressional District.

Members interested in joining the Government Affairs and/or Workforce Councils may contact the NSAC team at Membership@northsachamber.com.
The Infrastructure Council serves as a resource and strategic advocate for San Antonio regional infrastructure planning and development to improve the quality of life for our members and stakeholders.
February 10 | Infrastructure Council Meeting

The Infrastructure Council has a great year of engagement, expanded infrastructure topics, and speakers planned for 2021. Join us for our next meeting when we roll out our calendar of meetings and upcoming programs.   

Members interested in joining the Infrastructure Council may contact the NSAC team at Membership@northsachamber.com.

The Transportation Committee Interim Report was submitted to the Texas House of Representatives. A few highlights:

  • Finance “Between 2019 and 2030, Texas will underfund transportation infrastructure by $111 billion – averaging $9.3 billion per year” – a finding that appears to be based largely on the recent ACEC Texas update of the 2030 Commission report. 

  • FY 2021 revenue streams, current– Proposition 1, Proposition 7, etc. are reviewed. Due to COVID-19, TxDOT lost an estimated $1.9 billion for the FY 2020-2021, or 14% of anticipated revenue.  

  • Revenue enhancements include the following: gas tax increase and/or indexing options; expanded use of the Texas Mobility Fund, Tolling, CDA’s, Optional County Fees, Transportation Reinvestment Zones, All Pavement Consumers, and Electric Vehicle User Fee.
San Antonio Water System (SAWS) | San Antonio Water System (SAWS) Disparity Study Business Owner Survey

The survey is part of the Study’s anecdotal data collection and seeks to gather feedback from prime contractors and subcontractors, both M/WBE certified and non-certified, that have done work or potentially could seek work with SAWS. Survey results will be used to help assess the impact of the SAWS’ current SMWVB program and identify potential program improvements.

For questions regarding the survey or the Disparity Study, please email Colette Holt & Associates at SAWS-study@mwbelaw.com or by phone at (855) 692-3529.

The Workforce Development Council serves in an advisory role to assess, research, and design strategies that address workforce development challenges and opportunities. North San Antonio Chamber members are kept abreast on local workforce trends and demands, creating programs through collaborative partnerships to address workforce shortages.
January 11 | Workforce Council Meeting

The Workforce Council met to discuss the latest updates on local workforce programs. The group also discussed plans for a series of workforce industry-focused forums focused on helping to create awareness of and accessibility to workforce resources that will lead to matching job-seekers with employers. More details to come.

Members interested in joining the Infrastructure Council may contact the NSAC team at Membership@northsachamber.com.
January 22 | Application Deadline for SA: Ready to Work Advisory Board
 
San Antonio voters approved SA: Ready to Work, a training and education initiative to assist San Antonio residents in November. On December 17, City Council approved the creation of a Ready to Work SA Advisory Board. The City is now accepting applications for the SA: Ready to Work Advisory Board. 

The nine-member SA: Ready to Work Advisory Board will provide feedback on program objectives, which will consist of representatives from four local employers with in-demand occupations, two current/previous participants in the City of San Antonio workforce development programs, one trade or labor organization, one community organization, and one workforce training provider in addition to City Council members appointed by the Mayor to serve as liaison. Staff Presentation | Draft Resolution 

Applications and information for the SA Ready to Work Advisory Board positions can be found at the City of San Antonio’s Board and Commissions.
Tap on image to for more information.
Tap on image to for more information.
December 16 | Enterprise Ribbon Cutting

We closed out 2020 with a Ribbon Cutting to celebrate Enterprise's newest branch! We were joined by North SA Chamber Ambassadors: Genesis Eakes with Genesis Eakes International, Fred Casillas Jr. with Adjuvant Consulting, Bryan Anz with Unique HR, and Tiffany Oles with Smith Protective Services.
Car Rental Team (L-R): Steven Overgaard, Rachel Raines, Nicolle Baker, Dolca Martinez, Jared Thompson, Anton Kosak, Paul Ernst, and Stacie Sigel.
Car Sales Team (L-R): Jose Rovelo, Tony Kosak, Jimmy Wise, Jared Gease, Jessy Reyes, Karl James, Robert Carter.
City of San Antonio | Bidding & Contracting Opportunities and High Profile Solicitations
City's Bidding & Contracting Opportunities for all supplies, materials, equipment, goods, and services needed for delivering municipal services.

Bexar County |Purchasing & Procurement Opportunities

Bexar County Purchasing & Procurement provides procurement services for the Bexar County departments and offices.
VIA | Request for Proposal (RFP): Commercial Real Estate Broker Services
SAWS | Business Opportunities
Request for Proposal (RFP) | CPS
 
CPS Energy announces the development of a new Supplier Management System for online access to solicitations, submission of bids, and maintaining your supplier account. 
CPS Energy will transition to this new, web-based software system on November 30.

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has provided relief for small businesses all across the nation and as the impacts of the pandemic continue to take effect, the additional funds for the PPP and simplified forgiveness process are welcomed. The SBA re-opened the PPP on a limited basis the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. Initially, a designated subset of community financial institutions were able to make First Draw PPP Loans beginning Monday, January 11, and Second Draw PPP Loans beginning Wednesday, January 13. The PPP will open to all participating lenders shortly thereafter.
 
Farm Bureau Bank was proud to serve the small businesses of San Antonio during the first two rounds of PPP. We are preparing for the third round and will soon be accepting applications. If you would like to be notified, please complete our Notification Form.
ADKF is proud to announce the promotion of Dylan Boss, CPA to Tax Partner, and Paul Wobser, CPA to Audit Partner!
Dylan Boss earned his Bachelors in Business Administration & Masters in the Science of Accounting from the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW). He is proficient in tax planning for small to mid-sized businesses for many industries including construction, manufacturing, real estate, physicians, & professional service firms. Paul Wobser graduated from Texas Tech University & has over twelve years of public accounting experience. He works in ADKF’s audit & assurance practice with a broad array of industries including manufacturing, oil & gas, construction, biotech, software developers & employee benefit plans. Read More
PPP and EIDL: Answers to Your Most Frequently Asked Questions

The NFIB Small Business Legal Center (SBLC) has received thousands of questions in recent months regarding the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.
Through webinars, email responses, and returned phone calls, the SBLC aims to help small businesses by directly answering your questions here.
Governor's Export Assistance Program | Mexico Market Briefing:
Doing Business in the Mexican Cyber Security Sector

Texas companies in the cybersecurity sector are invited to join the State of Texas Mexico Office and U.S. Commercial Service Mexico to learn more about business development opportunities and potential partnerships in the Mexican market. The audience will also learn about free export promotion services available to Texas companies. To register, please contact the State of Texas Mexico Office.

Tuesday, January 19, 2021 | 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Bexar Facts | How CPS Energy Impacts City, Citizens, Technology, and the Future

In this episode, the Bexar Facts team sits down with Paula Gold-Williams to discuss her vision and plan for CPS Energy in San Antonio. From high energy demand and keeping rates low, to the environmental responsibility of energy companies, to the role of energy in politics…
Listen at Apple Podcast | Spotify | Stitcher​
January 12 | U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2021 Policy Priorities

U.S. Chamber CEO, Tom Donohue, unveiled the U.S. Chamber's 2021 Policy Priorities during the annual State of American Business address outlining the path for a widespread economic recovery through a bold agenda of infrastructure investments, workforce reskilling, immigration reforms, and reinvigorating America’s global competitiveness. Press Release | 2021 Industry Perspectives and Economic Snapshots
Tap on image to for more information & registration.
Chamber Access & Services
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Phone: 210.344.4848 | Email: membership@northsacchamber.com
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