John Safin, President/CEO
Southwest Valley Chamber

There’s good news for businesses, health care professionals, educational institutions, places of worship, nonprofit organizations, and property owners! Governor Ducey signed SB1377 into law on April 8. This " provides the legal framework for when a liability claim can be brought in relation to COVID-19 while still ensuring that claims based on gross negligence and willful misconduct can be heard." 

Southwest Valley Chamber joined over 100 organizations and associations across the state and across all industry sectors to support this bill. Our thanks to the legislators who supported this common sense legislation. 

Like the elected people the State Capitol, you can help determine the future of our community. Take the Chamber’s Post Covid survey to have your ideas and thoughts included in plans for our community's future. The survey is open until April 24, 2021.

John Safin, President/CEO

It's been a few months since I've posted a blog. It's not for lack of content. There are too many things happening. Thankfully, the good stuff is beginning to outweigh the bad things, but there's much to do before everybody is back to full speed.

A lot of industries and professions held their own or excelled during the pandemic. Others were and have been stuck in the middle. Meaning they were just above breakeven or living customer-to-customer. Sadly, the bad economy devastated too many businesses. 

Tourism, one of the largest industries for our community, could be better. No one is expecting travel numbers like it was a couple years ago. This is the time for you and your family to benefit from the situation and enjoy a weekend at a local hotel or resort. I know a few professionals who rented a hotel room for a day or two instead of working from home. I'd want to relax much more than work while staying at a beautiful hotel. Just being honest. 

The state legislature has reached the halfway point. There were over 1,700 bills introduced, which is much more than 2020 and the 2019 sessions. Bills that made it through committees and both sides of the state capitol will go to the governor. Meanwhile, the legislators will take on the governor's proposed budget. The Chamber has two lobbyists working on your behalf and for the betterment of our community. We're keeping an eye on what's happening at the federal level, too. Be prepared as you might be asked to contact your Congressional representative or senator. 

Governor Doug Ducey issued a new executive order related to the occupancy limits for businesses. Physical distancing and mask protocols will remain in place, so not much has really changed.

The rest of the calendar year will be challenging as the virus (hopefully) tapers off and we go back to an open society. The Chamber staff and Board Officers have already started working on ideas, services, and programs for the newly adjusted world. Again, all to benefit you, the Chamber membership, and our wonderful community. Please reach out if you'd like to be involved in forging the new future. 

​It’s become obvious there are clear distinctions as to how people are reacting to the virus. I’ll start with results from two recent surveys conducted by the Chamber. There were 306 respondents. Both surveys were available to Members and nonmembers because the questions posed affects everybody.
 
The first Chamber survey asked what the County Board of Supervisors should do with the mandatory mask mandate. A statistical split as you can see from the results below. This mirrors results from several national polls.

​​The second survey asked about attending a large crowd, in-person event. 

Even though these were quantitative rather than qualitative surveys, the results from both surveys are telling. Two-thirds would venture out as a desire to return to “normal,” as we have all heard discussed.
 
Does this have an impact on your business? It does if you’re planning a sidewalk sale or other event, obviously. The answer is to plan accordingly.
 
Many people have become used to delivery/pickup options and will never go back to the “old way,” which is sad IMHO. Humans create communities, tribes, clans, or whatever you want to call it. Casual social encounters, like at the grocery store, help shape and build our community on a personal level. Even introverts need their limited amount of interpersonal, face-to-face interaction to survive.
 
The “new normal” preachers forget two of the basic concepts of a free society:

• We are in charge of our society. It's fragile as we've discovered. It's up to each and all of us to uphold what we've built.
• Because we are the builders, we must remember our actions that have consequences, whether good or bad.

 
As a society – a community – we can accept our situation and do nothing or we can do what needs to be done to strengthen and grow to become what we want to be.