MAY 2020 | VOL 6, ISSUE 5
By The Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce
BECAUSE A
HEALTHY BUSINESS BECAUSE A CLIMATE AND A HEALTHY THRIVING BUSINESS COMMUNITY CLIMATE ARE ANDINSEPARABLE A
THRIVING COMMUNITY ARE INSEPARABLE
ATHENA AWARDS
NORTHERN ARIZONA HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
TGEN NORTH
JOINT STARING DOWNSESSION THE BARREL CHAMBER MEETING CITY OF WITH COVID-19 COUNCIL AND MAYOR
CHAMBER BOARD BNSF
2020 BOARD KEEPING USMEMBERS MOVING FYP BOARD THROUGH CRISIS
CHAMBER ADVOCACY
FLAGSTAFFOPEN.COM
FOR UPDATES ON LOCAL BUSINESS HOURS, CURRENT PROMOTIONS & DISCOUNTS AND TEMPORARY CLOSURES PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE! flagstaffchamber.com
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7000ft | MAY 2020 | VOL 6, ISSUE 5 | GREATER FLAGSTAFF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CONTENTS
BUSINESS INFLUENCERS
TGEN DELIVERS PAGE 8
MEMBERS HELPING MEMBERS
BNSF PAGE 10
05 06 07 08
PAGE 15
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE MAY MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS CHAMBER AMBASSADORS LEADERSHIP @7000FT TGEN
11 12 13 14
BNSF: MOVING THROUGH CRISIS BUSINESS ADVOCACY: HEROS ACT MEMBERS HELPING MEMBERS BE STRONG BE CHAMBER
ON THE COVER: DR. DAVID ENGELTHALER, TGEN NORTH PHOTO BY TGEN NORTH
GREATER FLAGSTAFF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | MAY 2020 | VOL 6, ISSUE 5 |
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INTRODUCTION @7000ft is published monthly by the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce with revenue from member dues, advertising and sponsorships. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents of this publication, by any method or purpose whatsoever, without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Only Chamber members can advertise in @7000ft. To inquire about advertising please contact the Chamber.
Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce 101 W. Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 (928) 774-4505 info@flagstaffchamber.com flagstaffchamber.com
CHAMBER LEADERSHIP Officers
Directors
Chair Mark Love Massage Envy
Monica Attridge Hozhoni Foundation
1st Vice Chair Clay McCauslin KAFF/KMGN Radio 2nd Vice Chair Guillermo Cortes Shepard-Wesnitzer, Inc. Treasurer Mark Harris
Terry Marxen Chevrolet Cadillac
Immediate Past Chairman Brenda Carter APS
Ex-Officio Dr. Colleen Smith President, Coconino Community College Randon Cupp Foundation Chair, Foothills Bank
Doug Bonate BBVA Compass Bank Colleen Brady Arizona Daily Sun Walter Crutchfield Vintage Partners Michael Horton Suddenlink by Altice Jacquie Kellogg West USA Realty Cecily Maniaci Toasted Owl Tyler Mark WestPac Construction Palmer Nackard Nackard Companies Fred Reese Little America Hotel Megan Roach FYP Director Richard Sanchez State Farm Insurance Flo Spyrow Northern Arizona Healthcare
WBA Ambassador Kelly Tulloss Tanya Christie National Bank of Williams
Sutcliffe Floral Misti Warner Warner Companies Bryce Warren Twin Arrows Casino Resort
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VIEW FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK Over the past two months the GreaterFlagstaff Chamber has talked with over 800 of you, corresponded 2-3 times weekly via email about Federal Financial Relief for small business, and we have served as a beacon for advice, assistance and resources sorely needed during a period when many businesses were shut down, and people and families were told to stay at home. As we phase in openings of businesses of all types we remain vigilant of the CDC and state guidance in order to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus. A COVID Task Force was established under the leadership of Board Chair, Mark Love, after so many of you were asking what was the best way to be precautionary when opening. As a result, we assembled best practices for this process and they can be found on our website at www.flagstaffchamber. com/taskforce. Member investors who are participating include Fred Reese, LIttle America; Mark Love, Massage Envy; Bonnie Bouschet, Flagstaff Mall, Terry Madeksza, Downtown Business Alliance; John Conley, Salsa Brava; Jamie Thousand, Satchmo's; Ron Getto, Starlite Lanes, Ryan Terhaar, Frederick Fisher Jewelers; and Clay McCauslin, KAFF Radio. I'm really proud of the extraordinary effort put forth by your Chamber team and the task force to work with you charting the best pathway for successfully reopening our economy, together. The Chamber became 'the first responders to the business crisis'. And in this issue, I hope that you will enjoy reading about the extraordinary efforts of TGen North, which responded to the virus immediately and even won national attention by being selected to deep dive into the virus and provide more research data about it. Dr. David Engelthaler, Co Director of the Pathogen and Microbiome Division provides great insights on the virus that you'll want to understand. We are proud to feature TGen given the huge reputation the laboratories have statewide. The Chamber has had to cancel all events since March 12 but through the business shutdowns and stay home orders, your Chamber team has engaged in regular professional development to stay current on best ways to assist your business and we have provided many meetings regularly held in person on the ZOOM platform. Hundreds of you are staying connected and learning from each other. In this issue, you can see a fantastic collage of dozens of businesses who are delivering a Shop Local message to us. These are our Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors. I love their images. Also, the Chamber was asked to assist Governor Ducey by sitting on a statewide team about the best ways to reopen the economy. Through these efforts we have disseminated current and timely data as it comes available full of business guidance which obviously is priceless. We've appreciated your compliments and attention to the emails we send on your behalf.
Julie Pastrick President + CEO
awareness on June 1. Please fill in your forms that have been mailed to you and send back in your postage paid envelope; or go online to fill in the completely private Census 2020 survey. Arizona is behind the national average of completion by only about two points which we certainly can make up by digging out the form, filling it in and mailing. The amount of Federal funding from the Census is dependent upon the numbers of completed forms. We can determine the level of State funding for the next 10 years (until the next census) by being responsible citizens. Again, thank you for your investment in the Chamber. Every single business helps not only itself but others by continuing your investment in the Chamber. We receive no public funding. We are a private non profit that focuses on helping businesses be successful since 1891. Let's be respectful of individual opinions of the virus; of each business decision when to open; and hopefully, we return stronger for the remainder of 2020. After all, our small communities have come through many crises by working together and giving it all we've got!
Last but certainly not least, we need to pay attention to Census 2020. With an original launch date of April 1, the Census kicked off with little hoopla given the intensity of the virus. As a result, the State has decided to relaunch the Census
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NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS KOPA HOME SERVICES
HALF-MOON MEDIA, LLC
3585 E INDUSTRIAL AVE FLAGSTAFF, AZ 86004 (928) 864-9911
FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA 86004 (832) 875-7833
FLAGSTAFF FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE
BPL PLASMA
715 N BEAVER SUITE A FLAGSTAFF, AZ 86001 (928) 714-7600
1250 S. PLAZA WAY SUITE C FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA 86001 (928) 773-1334
WWW.FLAGSTAFFFUNCTIONALMEDICINE.COM
WWW.BPLPLASMA.COM/FLAGSTAFF-PLASMACENTER
WWW.HALFMOON-MEDIA.COM
CORRECTION NOTICE: ROB BOURNE, AGENT WITH COLDWELL BANKER DALLAS REAL ESTATE CELEBRATED 25 YEARS OF MEMBERSHIP IN DECEMBER.
1. Alicia Jones (Co-Chair) - Pepsi/Nackard Beverage 2. Amanda Filippi - Mammoth Restoration 3. Becky Daniels - BEC Southwest 4. Bonnie Bouschet - Flagstaff Mall 5. Dr. Brandie Gowey- Dr DNA 6. CT McMurry - QC Office 7. Ellen Jimenez- Sonesta ES Suites 8. Heather Ainardi + Megan Roach- Northern Arizona Healthcare Foundation 9. Kat Ross + Ksenia Hartl - Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce 10. Rosemary Griffith- Hensley Beverage 11. Kelly Culbertson- Pepsi/Nackard Beverage 12. Lauren Brooks (Chair)- Independence Capital Property Management 13. Lydia Smith-Hemphill - Arizona Daily Sun 14. Motion Olson - Grimaldi's Pizzeria 15. Regina Entrolizo- Brookdale Senior Living 16. Janet Sweigart - SweigART Designs 17. Tina Pfeiffer - PrimeLending 18. Tracie Hansen - International Minute Press 19. Victoria Darris - Clear Title Agency
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Advancing a Strong Community
Photo credit: TGen North
DR. DAVID ENGELTHALER
CO-DIRECTOR AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF THE PATHOGEN AND MICROBIOME DIVISION
WHAT IS TGEN NORTH? TGen North, formally called the Pathogen and Microbiome Division, is the infectious disease division of the Phoenix-based Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen). The lab is located in Flagstaff, a few miles south of downtown. TGen North is equipped with the latest in technology for identifying and analyzing fungi, parasites, bacteria, and viruses, such as the one that causes COVID-19 — the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. In addition to research laboratories, it’s home to a new state-of-the-art CLIA-certified clinical laboratory and a Bio Safety Level 3 laboratory. WHAT IS A CORONAVIRUS? The coronavirus causing the current pandemic is one of many coronaviruses, some of which are known as human coronaviruses and cause relatively minor symptoms associated with the common cold, while others are zoonotic viruses (which come from animals) like SARS and MERS, which cause more serious, potentially deadly diseases. Our current battle is with the highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes the COVID-19 disease, for which there is no proven treatment. WHAT IS TGEN NORTH’S INVOLVEMENT WITH COVID-19 ? TGen North is involved in many different ways: We have developed our own highly accurate PCR test to diagnose those who are infected. We are the cofounders of the new Arizona COVID-19 Genomics Union, which is working to track the virus, where cases are coming from and how it is circulating in the community, by using Whole Genome Sequencing; and TGen is looking into potential anti-viral and antibody drug treatments, and vaccines. We are also developing a serological test, a blood-plasma test, which looks for COVID-19 antibodies, and can thereby identify individuals who have been exposed to the virus and
3051 W SHAMRELL BLVD FLAGSTAFF, AZ 86005
have potentially built up an immunity, at least to the current strains. IS TGEN NORTH A TESTING SITE? Yes, we are a clinical diagnostic lab that is providing testing for a number of entities, particularly in the Northern Region. Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) partnered early with us in response to COVID-19, and together we established the first drive-through site established in Arizona. We’re also working with North Country Health Care, Northern Arizona Healthcare; Mt. View Pediatrics; the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s office; Northern Arizona University; and the Guidance Center. DO YOU NEED A DOCTOR'S REFERRAL TO RECEIVE TESTING? Yes. Those who are potentially infected by COVID-19 must receive a doctor’s referral to be tested; keeping those with potential infection out of doctor’s waiting rooms, and out of emergency rooms, where they could infect others. HOW DOES THE TGEN COVID-19 TEST WORK? TGen’s diagnostic test is similar to the CDC test in that it looks for a particular genetic marker that indicates the presence of virus in a patient’s sample. Unlike the CDC test, which only looks at one gene, the TGen test has improved robustness as it looks for markers in two genes. HOW RELIABLE IS THE TEST? Our test, which is based on our own genomic characterizations of COVID-19, and has been revalidated against the global knowledgebase of the virus and its genome, is considered highly accurate. It is highly sensitive in that it can detect less than 10 viral particles in a patient sample (most samples have millions of viruses), and has been shown to have 100% specificity against all known human viruses.
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TGEN: STARING DOWN THE BARREL OF COVID-19 IN ADDITION TO TESTING, YOU’RE ALSO TRACKING THE VIRUS IN ARIZONA. HOW IS THAT HELPING? Tracking allows us to gather data; to better understand where the virus comes from, how it mutates or changes, and how it moves around. And that's important for us to understand as this pandemic moves forward. The more data we have the clearer the picture becomes, which then allows us to see changes sooner and in turn makes it easier for public health officials to step in and, hopefully, address the problems as they arise more swiftly and accurately. WHAT IS THE EPIDEMIOLOGY TELLING US THUS FAR? AND HOW DOES THAT PLAY INTO DECISIONS STATES ARE MAKING ON WHETHER TO OPEN, AND IF SO, HOW BROADLY TO OPEN. We’re seeing that this virus definitely has a different epidemiology, depending upon where it's at, by which I mean what part of the country or region. That means how the virus spreads and what are the right precautions that need to be put into place are going to be factors in making those types of decisions. For example, if you live in New York, where there are millions of people in a relatively small geographical area as compared to Arizona, where our population is a bit more spread out, you may choose to open more slowly and keep certain precautions in place longer.
WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT VACCINES BEING DEVELOPED. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT? Even though we don't have vaccines available yet, there is an enormous amount of work being done in the research and development space and I expect we’ll see more than one or two vaccines come out of all this work. Equally important is the tremendous amount of planning and development going on around the world in terms of vaccine distribution. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is leading this, but also The WHO, and a number of international health organizations, working on how to provide the vaccine first to those who need it most, and then to the larger population. . WHAT LESSONS HAVE WE LEARNED FROM THIS PANDEMIC, AND HOW DO THEY PREPARE US FOR PERHAPS A SECOND WAVE IN THE FALL OR ANOTHER VIRUS IN THE FUTURE One lesson we’ve learned is that it’s imperative that we use the best of science and technology available to not only understand and treat the disease, but to also develop ways to detect outbreaks faster and in places we don’t expect such events to occur. A second lesson I believe we’ve learned is that it’s important for the regulatory process to keep up with the pace of any potential outbreak. I think we’ve learned that the regulatory steps are necessary in order to provide benefit for health and safety, but having a better control of the gas pedal and brake allows for certain restrictions to be eased to accommodate a more rapid and precise response.
LEARN MORE AT TGEN.ORG
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7000ft | MAY 2020 | VOL 6, ISSUE 5 | GREATER FLAGSTAFF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
EVERY OTHER TUESDAY IN YOUR INBOX!
ANSWERING THE CALL: BNSF KEEPS MOVING We don’t have to wait for the history books to tell us we’re living in a public health crisis like we have never seen. While the COVID-19 narrative is still being written, one important chapter is about BNSF’s and the nation’s freight railroads’ role in keeping our country’s supply chain secure. “This is a very serious and somber time,” said BNSF President and CEO Carl Ice. “Some of the very things that are necessary and have to be available to help combat the present situation move on our railroad.” From source to shelves, we’re working to make sure you and your families get the goods you need. That includes getting raw materials to manufacturers and goods to distribution centers for delivery to retailers. That means delivering energy to utilities and supplies to farmers; because of us, one in every 12 homes in the nation has power, and 900 million people are fed by the wheat we haul in a single year. “Railroaders and their customers are working 24/7 to deliver the critical household and industrial goods Americans need during this challenging time,” said Association of American Railroads President and CEO Ian Jefferies. “From food and e-commerce shipments to the chlorine to purify our water, railroads are committed to delivering for your community and your family.” As the pandemic was announced, BNSF ensured we had the necessary resources in place and our operations teams – the ones who keep our trains running, our track maintained and our rolling stock in good condition – responded, doing what they always do: deliver. As we go about our work, we’re taking action to mitigate the spread of this virus while still fulfilling our vital role. Along with adhering to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and working with local public health agencies, we are sanitizing equipment and facilities and minimizing the risk of transmission to those who cannot perform their work remotely by encouraging those who can work from home to do so. Intermodal service, which combines the best of truck and rail, is especially critical now as most products sold at grocery, retail and online stores get there with the help of rail intermodal. BNSF has the largest intermodal network, with 25 intermodal facilities spread across the western two-thirds of the United States. Our team of about 120 there – employees and service partners -- are continuing to do their part during this crisis. “We’re social distancing, having safety briefings in smaller groups, rotating lunchroom and locker room time and sanitizing equipment,” said Jerry Glasow, terminal manager. “We’re keeping safety in the forefront in challenging conditions.” Read the article in full at www.bnsf.com
Photo by Raina Page GREATER FLAGSTAFF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | MAY 2020 | VOL 6, ISSUE 5 |
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CHAMBER ADVOCACY: HEROES ACT We are halfway through the month of May 2020, and the U.S. House of Representatives has authored the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, and will vote on Friday, 15 May to pass this legislation onto the U.S. Senate. Indications are that the bill will not have much standing in the U.S. Senate. That said, it’s likely a starting point for U.S. Congressional leaders to begin crafting the next piece of federal stimulus, as states and localities unwind stay-at-home orders, and get back to business, and fruitful economic activity. Important in the HEROES Act to the Greater Flagstaff Chamber is inclusion of 501(c)6 non-profits, including local chambers of commerce who were excluded from the Paycheck Protection Program funding offered CARES Act I & II. “Chambers have been the first responders of the economic crisis, working tirelessly to support local businesses during this crazy period of halted activity,” commented Chamber President, Julie Pastrick. “We’ve worked non-stop to support the northern Arizona business community, and it’s not been easy to maintain our activities without PPP support granted to other non-profits,” Pastrick continued. “Our lobbying efforts have not gone unheard, though, as most all the Arizona congressional delegation supports PPP funding for local chambers, so we’re very grateful,” Pastrick finished. Additional, notable help in the HEROES Act for small business includes the following: • The covered period for PPP loans would be extended to December 31, 2020; • PPP funds could be stretched over 24 weeks instead of the eight weeks originally passed in the CARES Act; • Businesses and organizations that receive PPP loans would be allowed to defer payroll tax payments; • Coordination between the PPP and Employee Retention Tax Credit would be improved to “ensure borrowers can take advantage of both types of assistance;” and • The legislation would direct the Federal Reserve to create a nonprofit-specific program within the Main Street Lending Program. The Chamber will continue lobbying for small business support and relief at the federal level. As you have thoughts and feedback on the federal stimulus packages and relief efforts, or if you have a personal story related to applying for and receiving or not receiving SBA EIDL or PPP monies, please send us a note at advocacy@flagstaffchamber.com. We wish to hear from you!
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MEMBERS HELPING MEMBERS
Dr Dan Rodda and Office Manager/Fiance Maria Eydelman donated much needed face masks and gloves to our men in blue (Flagstaff Police Department), helping keep those that protect us safe in return.
At the front of the pandemic, member manufacturer Prent Thermoforming provided 2200 face shields to Flagstaff Medical Center after learning of the need from the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce. 250 face shields were also made available to Flagstaff Shelter Services.
After Doctors Brad Nicol and Sam Safavi operated on and cared for a patient from Taiwan with a traumatic brain injury caused from an accident in the Grand Canyon, the Taiwanese Embassy & a Taiwanese Buddhist organization donated 1500 face masks to Flagstaff Neurosurgery as a token of their appreciation.
Wespac Construction led an effort to help the residents of Chinle, AZ secure food supplies, paper products, masks, hand sanitizer, and soap as they ran in critically low supply while fighting the pandemic.
Care1st Health Plan Arizona delivered 1,000 surgical masks and 100 face shields to the local healthcare workers at the Children's Health Center and the Flagstaff Medical Center in April.
Shelley Phoenix with Highgate Senior Living chose to donate her prize from one of Chamber events to the Flagstaff Family Food Center. A gift card was originally donated to the Chamber by the Arizona Central Credit Union.
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BE STRONG, BE CHAMBER Small Business Drives Our Character
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The library is closed, but our
DIGITAL COLLECTION IS OPEN! Download the hoopla app, or visit hoopadigital.com.
Tap into Discovery. Instantly Read, Listen, and Watch with Your Library Card.
Directions for Holds Pickup Service 1. You must call the appropriate library BEFORE coming to pick up your hold. We will need your library card number and name. If you do not have Internet access to place holds from home, you may call 928-213-2331, and the Downtown Library Reference Department will be happy to assist you.
DOWNTOWN LIBRARY Monday - Friday, 10am-4pm Call 928-213-2333
EAST FLAGSTAFF COMMUNITY LIBRARY Mondays & Wednesdays, 2pm - 5pm Fridays & Saturdays, 10am - 2pm Call 928-213-2348
2. Once library staff have pulled your available holds, the items will be checked out to your account and bagged. 3. When you arrive at the library, please observe social distancing if there are others waiting to pick up holds; waiting squares have been marked off on the East-facing entrance ramp at the Downtown Library, and on the sidewalk in front of EFCL.
4. For the Downtown Library, once at the top of the ramp, wait on the last square, and call the library again. Be ready to give us your library card number and name again, and let us know you are here to pick up your hold. For EFCL, you may call from your car. We will then place your hold on the table outside the front doors; please wait until the doors have closed| MAY to retrieve GREATER FLAGSTAFF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2020 | VOLit. 6, ISSUE 5 | @7000ft 15
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