Supporting Tourism in Santa Rosa
In this issue: Supporting Tourism in Santa Rosa; LSR Talks Current Events at Government & Politics Day; Two Fire Recovery Workshops: SBA Loans & Tax Relief; Thursday Mixer & Gift Card Drive; Events for the Whole Community
At left: At September’s Chamber Mixer, we met up at zentiv agency in downtown to see some of the great work they’ve done for local brands and an evening of networking and relationship building. We can’t wait to get together again at the October Mixer and Gift Card Drive: we ask that you to bring a gift card to donate to the Redwood Credit Union North Bay Fire Relief Fund. (photos by Alicia Parks Photography / more photos)
Supporting Tourism in Santa Rosa
The local tourism economy supports one in 10 jobs throughout Sonoma County. Visitors are vital to sustaining the large majority of businesses that were undamaged and supporting jobs that will help our community fully recover. Now more than ever it is important that local, regional, and international media and visitors understand that our city is welcoming visitors.
Visit Santa Rosa is working closely with Sonoma County Tourism, Sonoma Valley, Visit Napa Valley and Visit California to ensure we are all communicating with a similar message about Wine Country being open for business. However, in Santa Rosa, we have a unique situation as our hotel inventory is down due to the loss of three hotels, as well as hotels housing evacuees and first responders. This leaves the Visit Santa Rosa team focusing on regional day trips and locals, encouraging them to visit our restaurants, wineries, breweries, shops, galleries and tour operators. While we’re definitely open for business and need visitors now, it’s not quite business as usual.
We are asking that people coming to Santa Rosa bring kindness and a sensitivity about what we’ve just experienced. Area attractions, such as the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Safari West wild animal park, were mostly undamaged and will reopen as soon as possible. Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, was damaged but not destroyed; President and CEO Rick Nowlin assured us that he will keep the public apprised of their projected reopening date.
Please get out and explore our county, and help our tourism partners get back to business.
LSR Talks Current Events at Government & Politics Day
Leadership Santa Rosa Class 34 came together on October 19 to share an open dialogue on current events including emergency response and assistance efforts.
Special thanks to everyone that contributed to the conversation: Senator Mike McGuire, Supervisor Shirlee Zane, Vice Mayor Jack Tibbetts, Council Members Tom Schwedhelm and Chris Rogers, Press Democrat Editorial Director Paul Gullixson, Jennielynn Holmes, Mike Kallhoff, and Jeremy Little.
Fire Recovery Workshops
SBA Disaster Assistance Info Seminar
Whether you’re a home-based business or have a brick-and-mortar location, you could benefit from this free information seminar on disaster assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
The Chamber has partnered with the SBA’s Public Information Officer, Bill Koontz, who will be on site to answer questions and provide guidance on assistance options.
There is no cost to apply with for a low rate SBA disaster loan. If you are approved for a loan there is no obligation to take one. SBA can help not only with fire damage but also working capital needs for economic impact.
Tax Relief & Recovery Workshop
A free workshop on tax treatment of disaster losses, guidance on how to determine your loss, and maximizing insurance settlements.
- Tax treatment of casualty/disaster losses. There are special rules that may benefit you if you have suffered a loss or damage to your home and business.
- Establishing a value to your home or business to document your loss.
- Assistance negotiating with your insurance company to maximize your insurance settlements.
- Calculating taxable income for 2017 to revise estimated tax payments and withholding.
- Determining the best timing to report your loss. The IRS and the FTB both allow you to claim the loss in tax year 2016 or 2017. We can evaluate which option is the best for you.
This workshop will be conducted by Dave Dillwood of Dillwood Burkel & Millar, LLP.
This Thursday: Mixer & Gift Card Drive
Thursday, October 26, we invite Chamber and YPN members to come together and reconnect at La Rosa Tequileria & Grille’s upstairs lounge for a Mixer & Gift Card Drive. We ask that you to bring a gift card to donate to the Redwood Credit Union North Bay Fire Relief Fund.
Help support some of our local businesses by purchasing a gift card from our local retailers our local retailers, grocery stores, restaurants, department stores, gas stations, coffee (Acre, Starbucks, Peet’s).
EVERYONE is welcome. This is a FREE event!
Events for the Whole Community
A Hero's Halloween
The Downtown Action Organization, Santa Rosa Metro Chamber and Wine Country Moms Blog is hosting a FREE trick-or-treat Halloween event to celebrate our community heroes, large and small.
A Hero's Halloween is a Halloween celebration with carnival activity booths on the Square and trick-or-treating along downtown 3rd and 4th Street business storefronts.
If you or your business would like to partner to help make this event special for our little heroes, please email Wine Country Moms Blog at info@winecountrymomsblog.com.
A Hero’s Halloween - Free Community Event, Tuesday, October 31, 4:00-7:00pm, Courthouse Square, Downtown Santa Rosa
RSVP or Share on Facebook
Winter Lights - Downtown Tree Lighting
Winter Lights, downtown Santa Rosa’s annual tree lighting event, brings the community together to celebrate the holidays with activities for all ages. This year's theme is "I Believe in Santa Rosa", reflecting the hope, resiliency, and volunteerism we saw in the past days and weeks, and embodying the aspirations of a city that was already strong and is intent on coming back stronger. ...more info
Winter Lights - Downtown Tree Lighting, Friday, November 24, 4:00-8:00pm, Courthouse Square, Downtown Santa Rosa, This is a free community event
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Now, more than ever, the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber is committed to our mission of convening members and community, empowering them with resources and knowledge, and acting together to create a connected and vibrant business climate. From each member to every program and volunteer, in downtown Santa Rosa or the region, we will continue to shape the future of living and doing business here, the place we call home.
