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Chamber Unveils Business Advantage Network
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Chamber Unveils Business Advantage Network

The North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce recently unveiled its new Business Advantage Network geared to help small business overcome the challenges of doing business in this difficult economy.

Underwritten by Nevada State Bank, the Business Advantage Network (BAN) will assist member businesses through targeted workshops and seminars, topic specific newsletters, and member only networking functions.
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While all businesses have experienced significant challenges this past year, smaller companies are hit even harder since they typically had already been operating lean. A substantial loss of customers can be devastating to the bottom line and unfortunately many unable to weather this storm have gone out of business.

Small businesses, those with 50 or less employees make up 80% of the Chamber’s membership base. As we’ve seen, it is natural to want to cut out all non-operating expenses including those related to networking and marketing, while trying to improve the bottom line. Unfortunately, this is the time that businesses want and need to be out in front of current and potential customers so that once the economy improves they are ready to further the business relationship. While their competition is lying low, this gives the proactive company the competitive edge.

This is where the Business Advantage Network comes in. BAN sign-up is free to any North Las Vegas Chamber member. BAN members will receive quarterly e-newsletters targeting topics relevant to operating a business in a down economy. Networking mixers specific to BAN members will be held throughout the year---all free to the members. Last but not least, workshops and seminars will be held during the year for a nominal cost that will help our business members understand and be better informed of changes in workplace regulations, how to market and promote more effectively, and financing available.

On April 9th, the first Business Advantage Network seminar and workshop will be held in the newly named Nevada State Bank Conference Room at the Chamber. The topics will include items contained within the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus Bill) that will enhance current SBA programs to help unlock credit markets for the country’s small business sector. It will include three segments:

  • Small Business- here's how to access what can help you
  • Secondary market- here is what is being done in the overall market to help allow the programs for you to work
  • Future- here is what is allocated in the pipeline

According to a news release issued by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the bill provides $730 million to SBA and makes changes to its lending and investment programs so that they can reach more small businesses. Since companies have been most hurt most by the disappearance of available credit, these changes should be welcome news. It is also good news that the bill also allows SBA to raise its loan guarantee from 85 to 90 percent on some loans. In addition, it expands SBA’s Microloan program which provides small loans paired with technical assistance to start-up or expanding small businesses. While the bill’s content is still being analyzed, the portions of it that directly target small business funding will hopefully begin to ease the minds of business owners that have been barely hanging on waiting for some relief.

The North Las Vegas Chamber will continue to reach out to our organization partners to bring our members information that will be beneficial to running their business. The Business Advantage Network was created with our small business member in mind.

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