UPDATE: SBA has announced the opening of the PPP forgiveness portal: https://www.sba.gov/article/2021/jul/28/sba-announces-opening-paycheck-protection-program-direct-forgiveness-portal. Borrowers with PPP loans of $150,000 or less can apply directly to SBA for forgiveness through the portal, which opens August 4th.

US Small Business Association (SBA) is launching a PPP loan forgiveness portal that is expected to expedite some forgiveness applications. Borrowers may be able to apply for forgiveness directly with the SBA with this new platform.

What motivates consumers when shopping for landscape services? Lawn & Landscape asked homeowners in a recent survey. The results, available in their Grow the Market report, demonstrate that the importance of and desire for professional landscape and lawn care services has grown in the last five years.

In recent weeks, there has been much legislative activity around the H-2B visa program. Andrew Bray of NALP, in his weekly email The Advocate, provided regular updates on this activity. Below you can find several of his updates that detail the story behind the whirlwind of actions in support of and against the guest worker program.

The H-2B visa program has seen a flurry of legislative activity in DC this week. Advocates for H-2B were pleased to find the returning worker exception included in the upcoming fiscal year 2022 appropriations bill, though it was quickly removed. The landscape industry and other industries reliant on H-2B turned their focus back to a language change on discretionary visas from “may” to “shall.”

But additional language in the bill remains a concern among H-2B supporters. The H-2B Workforce Coalition issued this statement, along with a call-to-action for supporters of the program:

Homeowners spent more on home renovations and décor in 2020, according to the recently released 2021 Houzz & Home Study. Exterior work, outdoor living, and lawn/garden projects grew in popularity and the amount spent on each project increased as well. For example, median spending on deck and porch improvements projects grew by 25% over the previous year.

Most who have lived in Colorado for at least a few years are accustomed to hearing the frequent media reports on snowpack measurements during the winter and spring. As a water-challenged state dependent on snowfall stored in high-elevation mountains and valleys during the winter months, our lives, livelihoods and the natural environment depend on the gradual melting of winter snowpack to meet all the competing water needs. According to the USGS (U.S. Geological Survey), about 75% of water supply in the western states is derived from the melting snowpack.

Establishing new sod in Colorado Springs? You'll need to apply for an establishment permit. Learn about the permit and how to apply in this video from Colorado Springs Utilities.

The City of Denver’s Community Planning and Development encourages residents to participate in the process of updating city building and fire codes. The public can propose code amendments through Friday, July 23 for the 2022 code.

It is with sadness that we share the news of the passing of Wallace “Wally” SaBell, a founding member of Landscape Contractors of Colorado, now Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC). He was an original member of a team that formed with the goals of raising the level professionalism in the landscape industry, improving the image of the industry, and educating peers.

SaBell served as president of ALCC 1969-1970 and was instrumental in its development. He helped organize the group’s first major trade show participation. Along with Jim Wagner, SaBell proposed and established the association’s awards program, then known as the Environmental Improvement Awards. He also helped preserve the organization’s history, holding the position of Chair of the Scrapbook Committee in 1980. SaBell’s generous loan helped ALCC acquire Colorado Green magazine and continue its publication when the Landscape Industry Council, the magazine’s original publishing organization, dissolved.

The deadline for nominations in The 2021 ELITE Awards is next week!

July 15 is the deadline to submit nominations for The ELITE Awards. Did you start your nomination yet? Don't delay--make sure your team and your work get the recognition they deserve.

Last month, ALCC hosted a free webinar to provide some insight into the program revisions and tips on submitting nominations. It is available on demand for free. Click here to access the recorded webinar.

The ELITE Awards are open to ALCC members only. Contact Melissa Emdin at [email protected] or 720-307-5092 if you have questions.

Thank you to our 2021 Platinum sponsors: Colorado Materials Inc., CPS Distributors, DBC Irrigation Supply, and Wagner Equipment Company

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