Letter: Support Small Business or prison inmates?

This is a letter I sent out to Gov. Sandoval, and multiple other State Representatives. I felt that the general public should know what our prison system is doing to multiple small business owners in Carson City and Nevada. I would be very pleased if someone would bring this to light and show what our tax dollars are doing in this economy.

Dear Governor Sandoval,

Hello my name is Dennis Billow. I am a local resident and business owner in Carson City. Together, with my wife, we own our home and have two children that go to school here in Carson City. We also own Billow’s Custom Embroidery in Carson City, NV. Our business provides embroidery, silk screening and uniforms for all the local law enforcement agencies as well as local businesses, schools, casinos and individuals.

I am writing you, again, because I still need your help please. I brought to your attention, and the public's, about two years ago that there is a business competitor in Carson City that I, along with other businesses in Carson City, should not have to compete with. The problem is they are not an official business. It is the prison system in Carson City, Prison Industries. They now have an embroidery and silk screening shop within the prison. At first, they were just doing garments and items for the prison system. However, they recently have started doing items for the general public as well as the City apparel for Carson City employees. Just this past week, I had worked extensively with and was just about to receive an order to do some work uniforms for The Governor's Mansion. However, at the last minute, just before the order was place, the person that was placing the order called and apologized to me, she state that she could not order the items from a local business (me), she was told she HAD to get them from Prison Industry.

I also been advised that the majority of the Nevada Day Apparel (an account which I once had) and Battle Born / Nevada Proud apparel is being done by prison inmates. So when we buy this merchandise, the general public believes we are supporting small business in Nevada, supporting our great state... WRONG. We are supporting prisoners and putting small business in our state out of business. How proud do you feel now wearing my Nevada Proud Sweatshirt?

When I previously brought this to your attention and to the media, I was contacted by Prison Industries. We had a meeting with them. I was told and promised that they would not be going after public business in the future, and defiantly not MY business. I was lied to,and so was the public.

When a customer comes into a small business, it is reported that 80% of the profit of a small business stays in the community because that small business owner pays employees, shops and dines in the community that he/she lives in. ZERO of the money that is paid for merchandise done in the prison by Prison Industries ever comes out into the public. It's not like the prisoners get to go to the local gas station, purchases a meal in a local restaurant, supports the local barber shop.

I do not mind fair competition, but this is not fair competition. In these difficult times, I have out survived many of my competitors in Carson City and the surrounding areas by offering exceptional customer service, and fair pricing and we do all of the work here in Carson City.

The “business” they are running out of the prison, they do not to pay for any utilities, overhead, equipment, and barely pay their employees (the prisoners). Additionally, they do not have to pay for business insurance, health insurance, workman’s compensation; all of which they do not have. And yet I, the regular “Joe” and a “regular” business man like myself must provide and pay for all of this. They are in prison turning a profit and I, along with other Carson City businesses, are the ones doing the "hard time" for it. I understand these programs are there to help them rehabilitate the prisoners. But I have also found out they are hiring prisoners who are going to be there for a very, very long time so they will not have to re-train anybody. This does nothing to “rehabilitate” prisoners that are in the system for a short while who could actually use the skills taught to come work for people like myself afterwards.

I am informed, and therefor believe, that they don't even have a business license to do this. Another fee I have to pay. Are they collecting and paying sales tax … I don’t know. I have renters insurance, rent and supplies that I must include in my overhead. I have to pay for all of my supplies and pay rent on my retail location. When they pay nothing of what a legitimate business pays, they are able to undercut my pricing by at least 20% … this is not only unfair, but outrageous. Worse yet, it is my taxes that I must pay on my home, my vehicles, my personal business property and EVERY time I go to the store and purchase merchandise is supporting this operations which will eventually put me out of business. So basically, every time I purchase something in Nevada, I'm paying to put myself out of business. Quality work and customer service and competitive pricing will only take you so far.

My business is not the only one that is being affected by this, and I’m not the only industry either. There are local car repair shops, printers and others that are being infringed upon too. Governor Sandoval, I request please that you and your staff look into the allegations I have made and to have them cease doing business locally. I don't feel it's right that they are allowed to infringe on our local economy. What next? Prison Bakery? Prison Bike Shop? so they can work with the kids or maybe a Prison Hair Salon.....

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. I look forward to hearing from you or your staff in regards to this request.

Respectfully,
Dennis Billow
Billow's Custom Embroidery
First Responder's Uniforms
1894 E WILLIAM St.
Carson City NV 89701