Letter: Prison steals work and jobs from struggling Nevada companies

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. There was a big story about this in Vegas with another company ... but this is also happening in our own backyard.

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. Additionally, we are huge supporter of yours, and feel you are doing a great job for Nevada. I own Billow’s Custom Embroidery in Carson City, NV. My business provides embroidery, silk screening and uniforms for all the local law enforcement agencies as well as local businesses, casinos and individuals.
I am writing you because I need your help please. I have recently become aware of a competitor, with whom I should not be competing against, nor should any other business in Carson City. The problem is they are not an official business. It is the prison system in Carson City. 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.
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. I come in at 10:00 P.M. because a deputy has ripped their uniform in the line of duty and they call me at home for help. This is how I have survived thus far. However, I don’t see it happening for much longer.

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. 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 retrain 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 40% … this is not only unfair, but outrageous. Worse yet, it is my taxes that I must pay on my home, property, & purchases are what is supporting this operations which will eventually put me out of business. Quality work and customer service will only take you so far when you can get the same type of work done down the street at 40-50% discount.
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 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 cease their public business. If they cannot be stopped, then I request and inquiry into the operation paying overhead including “space rent”, proper labor costs, electricity and gas, telephone expenses, workers compensation, etc. If the people/person in charge of this operations had to pay the same expenses as that of “regular” business had to pay, then we would all be competing on the same playing field, and that, in the end is all I ask …. for FAIR competition.
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