Support for Small Businesses

September 18, 2020

Dear Business and Community Partners;

Maintaining your workforce can be challenging in the best of times but Jefferson County as well as our partners at the Colorado Workforce Development Council can offer some assistance. Taking a holistic approach to staff management will be key to maintaining your workflow through the pandemic. Read on to find more information about the new Talent Development Playbook from the CWDC.

Personal Protective Equipment Program for Small and Micro Businesses and Nonprofits

Jefferson County, the Arvada Chamber, West Metro Chamber, Golden Chamber, and Evergreen Chamber are supporting small businesses of 25 employees or less and nonprofits that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic by distributing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) free of charge to those that qualify.

Eligibility:

Nonprofits or businesses with 25 employees or less
Get more information at www.jeffco.us/4057

Latest COVID-19 updates from Jefferson County Public Health

As of September 10, the CDC reports there have been 6,343,562 cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. There have been 190,262 deaths in the U.S. to date.

There have been 59,920 cases of COVID-19 in Colorado and 1,977 deaths among cases (1,882 deaths due to COVID-19) (CDPHE).

There have been 5,009 cases of COVID-19 in Jefferson County (confirmed and probable) and 242 total deaths (JCPH).

This week, the Governor’s Office announced new exposure notification technology that will be available to Coloradans in the coming weeks. Get more information here.

Talent Development Playbook: Recruitment & Retention

The Colorado Workforce Development Council is excited to announce the August release of the Talent Development Playbook: Recruitment & Retention, which focuses on approaches for businesses to attract and retain high-quality talent.

People are the single greatest resource in your business. Investing in their development and well-being not only benefits the employees, but it impacts your bottom line. This section of the playbook explores strategies to rethink company culture and hiring practices to aid employers in more effectively attracting and keeping the talent needed to drive your company forward.
The Talent Development Playbook: Recruitment & Retention includes information on:

Skills-based hiring
Upskilling and reskilling
Ownership culture
Case studies of employers who are actively addressing their talent shortages and reducing employee turnover using strategies spotlighted in the Talent Development Playbook.

New playbook content will be published monthly through the end of the year on the CWDC website and will be accompanied by monthly webinars highlighting the newly released strategies.

Talent Development Thursdays: Talent Development Playbook: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

On Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. the CWDC is hosting a webinar on the September release of the Talent Development Playbook: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Join the webinar to hear from employers about how they are putting diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies into practice to strengthen their companies and create a more inclusive environment for workers. Learn more and register for the webinar.

For questions about the Talent Development Playbook, please contact Renise Walker
at [email protected].

Fall, COVID and Navigating the Change in Weather

With Fall just around the corner, everyone is wondering what the impact colder weather will have on businesses in Colorado. Specifically, how will restaurants pivot to safely accommodate patrons when outdoor seating becomes even more limited with the colder months on the horizon? With a $12 Billion hit on the industry, restaurants have proven to remain resilient by providing welcoming outdoor spaces, increased safety of staff and protective equipment.

But what does the future hold? The Denver Business Journal highlighted Denver’s Top Restaurants and what they are doing to combat these trying times:

Tent Programs - implementing covered patio with heaters and socially distanced seating
Creating meal kits and cocktail kits with a focus on packaging and product development
Maximizing takeout orders and delivery
Focus on small but mighty team to boost salaries

Upcoming Networking Opportunities

Women in Business

Date and Time:
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
8:00 am - 9:30 am, Zoom

Join us for a morning of networking, local business spotlights and great speakers! Held on the 4th Tuesday of the month, these events feature topics of interest to women business owners, executives, managers and other professional women.

TOPIC: "Work Life Balance AND Remote Schooling" with Angela Baber, Executive Director of Jeffco Schools Foundation and Lynn McLeod, College Nannies + Sitters + Tutors

Sponsored by: Premier Events by Melissa

$5 for members and $10 for not-yet members

Arvada Chamber Business Summit

Date and Time:
Monday September 21, 2020
9:00 am - 3:00 pm MDT

Tentative Schedule- Coming Soon

Location: Arvada Events at the Arvada Center for Arts & Humanities
6901 Wadsworth Blvd.

Fees/Admission: Coming Soon

Arvada Chamber Business Summit Description:

A business summit hosted by the Arvada Chamber of Commerce designed to help you forge your own path on the way to business success! This summit is designed for everyone, whether you are a young professional, seasoned pro, entrepreneur, small business owner, HR professional, manager, director, or CEO. There will be different pathways for you to follow during this summit to help you reach your goals, gain knowledge on topics that matter to you and ultimately help you forge your path in your world of business in Arvada, the state of Colorado and beyond.

For more information contact:

Samantha Geerdes, 303-424-0313
Send Email

Missed one of our business panels?
Watch here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTH5pW4bJZbvcvOWfLfRVUA

Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center
Business Services

Business Services offers a wide array of services and resources to help businesses of any size.

Information about layoff assistance and layoff aversion programs are available, please contact Jill Howard at [email protected] or call 303-271-4768.

If your business is currently hiring, we can assist with job postings, marketing to job seekers and virtual job fairs. Contact the Business Services team at [email protected] or call 303-271-4800.

Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center website:
https://www.jeffco.us/Business-Workforce-Center

Additional Resources

Jefferson County Business & Workforce Workshops: https://workforce.jeffco.us/workforce_public/workshop_calendar.cfm

General Unemployment Insurance Information Related to Coronavirus
Up-to-date information for employers, employees and FAQ’s about Colorado Unemployment Insurance programs and other resources.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/information-and-resources-coronavirus

Colorado Unemployment Insurance Employer Services website
Information about layoffs, labor laws, incentives and tax credits, audits, posting jobs on Connecting Colorado and more.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/businesses-employers

Work Share Program
Alternative to laying off employees and unemployment insurance if an employee is still able to work part-time.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/layoffassistance

Businesses Responding to Job Separation
How and why it’s important to respond to the Unemployment Insurance employee job separation notices.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/node/20121

Unemployment Insurance Guide for Employers
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/Employer_Guide.pdf

Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Learn what it means for employers.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/families_first_coronavirus_response_act.pdf

U.S. Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidance for the workplace.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20200309

Jefferson County Small Business Resource Center
Non-profit organization supporting small businesses in the community including business plan development, brand and marketing material assistance, financing sources and more.
https://www.jeffcobrc.org/

Small Business Guidance & Resources
Information about Economic Injury Disaster Loan Programs, Guidance for Businesses and Employers, SBA Products and Resources, Government Contracting and Local Assistance.
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources

SBA Disaster Loan Assistance
Federal Disaster Loans for Businesses, Private Nonprofits, Homeowners and Renters.
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources

Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation
Jeffco EDC is an advocate for the county’s business community and is dedicated to building economic prosperity in the community. Current resources for businesses are included on the website.
https://jeffcoedc.org/

Clear Creek Economic Development Corporation
The CCEDC works to create and offer programs for Clear Creek County businesses. Information about emergency working capital loan program is on the website.
http://www.clearcreekedc.org/our-programs

Arvada Economic Development Association
Arvada Economic Development Association has community, government, and civic partnerships which allow AEDA to provide your business with the latest business information and resources.
https://arvadaeconomicdevelopment.org/

City of Edgewater
The City's economic development programs are designed to bolster the economic health and opportunity within Edgewater and the surrounding area for residents and businesses alike.
https://www.edgewaterco.com/index.asp?SEC=E2A42395-4AC3-449F-B502-65FEF8800E38&Type=B_BASIC

Golden Community & Economic Development Division
The City of Golden Community & Economic Development Division provides a network of resources to support existing and growing businesses including grant opportunities.
https://www.cityofgolden.net/work/economic-development/

Lakewood Economic Development Division
The Economic Development Division of the City of Lakewood provides services to businesses, including business attraction, expansion, entrepreneurialism, marketing, communications and resources.
https://www.lakewood.org/Government/Departments/Economic-Development

Littleton Economic Development Department
The Economic Development Department of the City of Littleton focuses on business development, retention and attraction by providing business resources for companies operating in or planning to locate within the city.
https://www.littletongov.org/city-services/city-departments/economic-development

Westminster Economic Development Department
The City of Westminster Economic Development Division provides resources to existing and growing businesses.
https://www.westminstereconomicdevelopment.org/

Wheat Ridge Economic Development Division
The City of Wheat Ridge Economic Development Division is dedicated to both the businesses and citizens of Wheat Ridge by providing an array of resources for the community.
https://www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/269/Economic-Development

Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade
OEDIT has a hotline for small business owners to call with questions at (303) 860-5881 or email [email protected]
https://choosecolorado.com/

Chambers of Commerce

Chamber of Commerce associations promote and protect the interests of the business community in a local community, and offer valuable resources and education to businesses

West Metro Chamber
https://www.westmetrochamber.org/

Arvada Chamber
https://www.arvadachamber.org/

Conifer Chamber
https://www.goconifer.com/

Evergreen Chamber
https://www.evergreenchamber.org/

Golden Chamber
https://goldenchamber.org/

Littleton Chamber
http://littletonbusinesschamber.org/

Westminster Chamber
https://www.westminsterchamber.biz/

Wheat Ridge Chamber
http://www.wheatridgechamber.org/

Wheat Ridge Business Association
https://www.wheatridgebiz.com/

Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center serving Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin counties is an equal opportunity program; auxiliary services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.