SHOP LOCAL, SUPPORT LOCAL, PROTECT LOCAL
It is hard to believe we are finally in the last month of 2020 — this year has been much different than any of us would have ever imagined. I know many of us are looking forward to 2021 with the hope for a return to a bit of normalcy. But before we transition to a new year, let’s focus our attention onto our local businesses as we head into the holiday season. While you are doing your holiday shopping, I encourage you to SHOP PLACER!
Many of our local businesses have struggled this year with closures or restrictions. So now more than ever, I encourage you to use this holiday season as an opportunity to support your friends and neighbors. Please keep your dollars in our community by showing your love for local and SHOP PLACER.
Shopping locally not only helps keep businesses open, but it also preserves valuable jobs. And don’t forget all the ways that many of our small business owners give back to our local communities — they sponsor our youth sports and schools, give back to our seniors, donate to our charity events, fundraisers and galas along with providing incredible local knowledge about our area to their customers. Now it’s our turn — let’s be sure to give back and show them our appreciation and support during a time that they need it the most.
Visit ShopPlacer.com for more information on ways to shop local — including purchasing gift cards — and a full list of Placer County cities and towns, local chambers and tourism partners.
While supporting our local businesses, be sure to continue taking precautions, like keeping social distance and wearing face covering.
Click HERE to watch a special holiday message from Supervisor Gustafson and other leaders in the Tahoe/Truckee area.
REGIONAL STAY AT HOME ORDER
Yesterday, Governor Newsom announced a Regional Stay at Home Order. As of writing this on Friday, Dec. 4, Placer County, which is part of the Greater Sacramento Region, is not under this under.
Currently, we are trying to fully understand the new orders from the Governor and we plan to provide more guidance once we have more clarification. Learn more about this order.
With that news, I want to provide reassurance to our communities that the Placer County Health and Human Services (HHS) department staff members are in constant contact with local hospitals. So, while Placer County continues to see an increase in hospitalizations and positive Covid-19 cases, it is encouraging to say that all of the county hospitals have robust surge plans so our HHS department feels confident they will be able to handle this increase. Both Placer County testing sites in Roseville and Truckee have increased their capacity, which means an additional 1,650 tests per week can be performed in the county. Placer County staff are also working diligently to plan for vaccine distribution to ensure healthcare workers get vaccinated as soon as they are able to and plans are also being created for distribution the larger citizen base as well.
The Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, December 1 and below you’ll find details on some of the items I want to share with you.
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact my office if you have questions or need any assistance with County issues or concerns. And Happy Shopping Local!
– Cindy Gustafson, District 5 Supervisor
December 1 Board of Supervisor Items
HEALTHY COMMUNITIES RESOLUTION:
The Board unanimously approved a Healthy Communities Resolution that recognizes hardships caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic and outlines approaches that can reduce the impact. The resolution speaks to Placer’s geographic diversity and how the one-size-fits-all Blueprint for a Safe Economy that the state has been using for counties, does not work for our county. The resolution pushes for greater decision-making ability at the local level.
PLACER SHARES IMPACT GRANTS:
The Board authorized an additional $2 million in Placer Shares Impact Grants to support businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. $700,000 of that money will go toward fully funding eligible businesses that applied to the previous round of grants that concluded on Nov. 20. The remaining $1.3 million will be available to businesses impacted by recent state closures that were not eligible for the latest round of grants. The funding will also be available for chambers/community collaborations and multi-business innovative solutions, for projects such as creating community outdoor dining establishments. To date, the county has allocated $16 million in grant funding in order to assist struggling businesses and nonprofits. Learn more.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The Board received a progress report on Countywide critical success factors first outlined by the Board of Supervisors in April 2018. There has been great progress in all nine areas- ranging from increasing diversity in housing to community engagement and public serving infrastructure and amenity improvements. The Board will be revisiting these critical success factors in 2021 and will continue to identify ways to improve Placer County.
Placer Food Bank
For safety purposes, Placer Food Bank has halted all individual and company food donation drives. Because of this, they are asking for monetary donations this holiday season. Visit Placerfoodbank.org to make a donation today.
If you are in need of support, visit placerfoodbank.org/get-food.
Contact information:
175 Fulweiler Ave., Auburn, CA 95603
Supervisor Cindy Gustafson: cindygustafson@
District Director Lindsay Romack: lromack@placer.ca.gov
District Aide Kelly McCaughna: kmccaughna@placer.
Temporary Assistant District Aide Judy Friedman: jfriedman@placer.ca.
