Today, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak signed Assembly Bill 106, which provides an additional $50 million for small businesses through the Pandemic Emergency Technical Support (PETS) Grant Program.
To date, the PETS program has approved over 4,500 applications to support small businesses and non-profit organizations across the State. AB 106 brings total funding for the program to more than $100 million, making it the largest small business assistance program in Nevada history.
During his State of the State address in January, ahead of the 2021 legislative session, Governor Sisolak asked lawmakers to act quickly in support of Nevada businesses and nonprofits.
“During my State of the State, I asked lawmakers to prioritize allocating an additional $50 million for this small business grant program. Boy, did you all deliver. Not only did this bill get to my desk for signature at warp speed, but it was approved by the Legislature with unanimous support,” said Governor Sisolak. “I want to thank Senate Majority Leader Cannizzaro and Minority Leader Settelmeyer, along with Speaker Frierson and Assembly Minority Leader Robin Titus for helping to send the message that when it comes to helping our small businesses, Nevada’s leaders stand in bipartisan support.”
During today’s bill signing event, Speaker of the Assembly Jason Frierson and Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro noted that the bill passed both houses with unanimous votes in fewer than a dozen days into the session. Assembly Minority Floor Leader Robin Titus spoke during this morning’s bill signing ceremony.
“I am also encouraged by your press conference yesterday Governor in taking steps to open our state back up. It is my hope that we can expeditiously get businesses back to full operation and quickly,” Titus said. “We all know that losing livelihoods can be just as damaging as the virus itself, and same applies to our school children. I look forward to continuing to legislate in a bi-partisan manner as we move forward in these unprecedented times.”
President and CEO of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Mary Beth Sewald offered remarks during the bill signing event.
“Small businesses are the fabric of our community. They make up the very essence of what we are here in Nevada,” Sewald said. “I just can’t tell you what this means to them … every cent counts when it comes to supporting our small businesses, and every dollar could mean the difference between opening and closing and life and death.”
More information on the PETS program can be found HERE.
Disclosure: The Sierra Nevada Ally received a $10,000 PETS grant.
