SNOWBOWL PARTNERSHIP

As businesses continue to struggle with the effects of COVID-19, some are looking for ways to help. Arizona Snowbowl and the Greater Flagstaff Chamber announced that they are partnering to create the Arizona Snowbowl/Flagstaff Chamber COVID-19 Relief Fund, which will provide eight $7,500 grants to qualifying small businesses. “COVID-19 has created new challenges for everyone, including all of us at Snowbowl,” said Rob Linde, General Manager of Arizona Snowbowl. “As a part of our continued commitment to the local community, it was important for us to find a way to give back during these difficult times.” The Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce and Arizona Snowbowl have shared a longstanding partnership in the region since Snowbowl opened in 1938. The Chamber, founded in 1891 and dedicated to the mission of helping businesses be successful, became involved with Arizona Snowbowl from the start understanding its contribution to the region's economic success via tourism and visitation. Back in the day the Chamber leaders championed paving the road to the ski area in effort to 'attract more visitors'. When the opportunity arose to partner to help local tourism and outdoor recreation businesses survive this COVID pandemic, both Rob Linde, General Manager, Arizona Snowbowl and Julie Pastrick, President and Chief Executive Officer, Greater Flag Chamber, were thrilled to work together. The Arizona Snowbowl realized that giving back to the community could be possible through donating a percentage of season pass sales. The Chamber knows the business community, is connected to the decision makers and is a great conduit for access to the small businesses that really need financial support during these trying times. “Since 1891 the Greater Flagstaff Chamber has been helping businesses be successful. This grant program which partners two legendary private sector partners, will elevate the opportunity for many businesses to succeed. We’re thrilled to spread this great impact with Arizona Snowbowl,” remarked Julie Pastrick, Chief Executive Officer, Greater Flagstaff Chamber. In April, the ski resort pledged to donate 1% of its initial season pass sales through May 29 to local small businesses affected by COVID-19. During the sale, Snowbowl raised $30,000 which was matched dollar-for-dollar by resort owner James Coleman’s Coleman Charitable Foundation. Applications for the relief fund opened on July 14 at 9 a.m. on the Flagstaff Chamber’s website. To qualify, businesses must have 25 or fewer employees on current payroll, be located in the Greater Flagstaff area, and have not received assistance from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). Additional qualifying criteria will be listed on both organizations’ websites. “As one of the premier attractions in Flagstaff and Northern Arizona, Snowbowl has always been an integral part of the local business community. We’re proud to partner with Snowbowl during these challenging times to provide another way for hard-hit small businesses to receive financial assistance,” said Julie Pastrick, President of the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce. The relief fund, is a collaborative effort set forth as yet another way that Snowbowl reaches local communities through charitable giving. During the 2019/2020 season, the resort raised $25,000 for non-profit organizations in Arizona from its Community Benefit Days. Snowbowl also continues to provide free season passes to guests ages 10 and under and 75 and older, as well as free skiing and lessons for local 5th grade students as a part of a partnership with the Flagstaff Unified School District. For more information on the relief fund and planned new improvements for the 2020/2021 season, please visit snowbowl.ski. To learn more about the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, please visit flagstaffchamber.com