On Thursday, April 15, the Churchill County Business Owners Alliance (CCBOA) met to update its members and others on the group's recent activities.
Jesse Segura, owner of Fallon Glass and Signs and 3-Dimension Shipping told the group how supportive the Sheriff has been with regards to COVID mandates, saying “The County took the lead on enforcement in favor of the businesses, and it’s so appreciated. We are very lucky to have a Sheriff who took that stance for us.” Sheriff Richard Hickox is expected to attend the next CCBOA meeting in May.
According to the CCBOA, attorney Jesse Gilbert is still helping the group, however on a pro bono basis and only on issues specific to COVID issues in relation to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). However, it was suggested that they retain counsel that could present at the meetings to help address business issue come up that affects more than one business. Paul Picotte, the owner of The Grid and member of the Churchill Economic Development Authority (CEDA) Strategic Planning Committee, said “We need to be rational as a group, and if we want it to grow as a group, we should have someone available even if it's just for a question because the objective is to keep this group moving forward.” If members are paying into the group fund, they have a right to expect some support in return.
Tiffany Picotte, who also owns The Grid and is a member of the CEDA Business Council, told the group about a new CEDA Workforce Development program for seniors at both Churchill and Oasis Academy high schools that will provide internships with local businesses for school credit or for pay. The program is planned to start this fall, initially as a free trial for students to job shadow. If the trial is successful, the student would then be eligible for the full internship with pay from the business. The internship programs will give students a chance to not only work toward a career but be mentored by a business person in their field of interest.
CEDA is also looking at options to supplement a student's pay for the businesses. Ideally, the students will use a career-building website where participating businesses will appear in the student's career research. As part of the new program, the Business Council is also looking into using high school students enrolled in video production classes to make short business commercials.
Businesses that enter the program must commit for at least one semester, but a full-year commitment would be preferable. This will be an opportunity for students to learn which careers they may like. Each student will be required to perform a minimum of 72 hours per semester for their internship to qualify for school credit. The program may help fill the gap left by trade classes and workshops that are no longer offered. After students are trained, many jobs in the trades industry (electricians, plumbers, masons, etc) can pay up to upwards of $100 per hour, making this a worthwhile effort – especially due to the increasing shortage of skilled tradesmen.
Paul Picotte also discussed the continuing “mask/no mask” debate. To mask or not, that was the question. Control of business openings is being turned over to the counties – for everything except the mandate to mask. Washoe County has stated that they would not require masks in their reopening plan for May 1, but it was rejected by the state. According to Picotte, The Grid is handling the mask mandate and Picotte replied, “Right now we are not asking anyone to wear a mask. We don't wear them, and we do not require our staff or customers to wear them. But if someone wants to wear one, if they are more comfortable that way, they are certainly free to do so.” He went on to say that he views wearing masks more like the vaccine saying, “If you want the vaccine, you get it - that's not a mandate but a mask is? That doesn't make sense.”
The majority of businesses are still concerned over OSHA actions, but it was stated that they should not be afraid. The CCBOA now has nearly 60 members in the group, who have been standing together, and attorney Gilbert is still willing to help with any OSHA-related issues. There is doubt that the Governor will remove the mask mandate drop anytime soon, but this group plans to keep pushing back on that.
Churchill is in better shape than most with regards to the vaccination percentage, with nearly 60% of the population over 65 vaccinated. The County's plan to reopen 100% on May 1 was presented to the state and accepted. Businesses with concerns or fears about the mask mandate are invited to contact the CCBOA, as they are there to help.
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