Dear Chamber Friends,
Yesterday, the U.S. Senate approved additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), as well as the SBA Economic Disaster Loan Program. We expect the House to vote on this bill on Thursday, April 23rd. Click here to urge you member of Congress to support this desperately needed funding.
Unfortunately, this legislation did not include a change to allow 501(c)(6) chambers of commerce and other non-profits to access the PPP. While this is disappointing, it is not surprising. In fact, it is a reminder that we need to keep the pressure on Congress to include all non-profits in the PPP when they move to consideration of the Phase Four bill. Therefore, if you have not already done so, please be sure to sign our letter to Congress by Thursday at 4:00pm ET / 3:00pm CT. Click here to read and sign the letter.
Thank you for all that you are doing, and please let me know if you have any questions.
Ryan Gleason
rgleason@USChamber.com Kevin Courtois
kcourtois@USChamber.com
Chambers Across The Midwest And Great Lakes Region Unite In Support Of Coordinated Reopening Of Economy
The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber is joining with chambers in seven states across the Midwest and Great Lakes Region (listed below) to support a coordinated reopening of the economy. Together we are issuing the following statement:
“Businesses throughout the Midwest and Ohio River Valley are anxious to get back to work while maintaining the well-being of our workforce and communities.
Successfully combating COVID-19 will require aggressive, collaborative action among governments, health care professionals, businesses and citizens. While actions taken in our individual states are central to our own recoveries, we all will continue to be impacted by decisions made—and not made—in other locales.
Recognizing that our economies are interconnected and that people regularly cross state boundaries to access jobs, services and supplies, we support the efforts of our Governors to work together to establish coordinated recovery plans and protocols that will strengthen our economy and preserve our health and safety.
As organizations representing businesses in some of the hardest hit and most important economic engines in the nation, we will continue to serve as critical counselors to our leaders in our state capitols and Washington, D.C.”
Locally, the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber launched its EMERGE initiative several weeks ago to help the Valley’s business community navigate through the COVID crisis by offering assistance in several key areas and communicating daily updates that may impact their operations, employees, safety and more. Visit regionalchamber.com for more information.
The following Midwest/Great Lakes Region organizations have signed on in support of the above statement:
Illinois
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
Indiana
One Southern Indiana
Greater Ft. Wayne, Inc.
South Bend Regional Chamber
Southwest Indiana Chamber
Indy Chamber
Aspire Johnson County
One Zone Commerce
Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce
Kentucky
Greater Louisville Inc.
Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
Commerce Lexington Inc.
Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce
Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce
Michigan
Lansing Regional Chamber
Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber
Midland Business Alliance
Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce
Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance
Detroit Regional Chamber
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
Lakeshore Advantage
Michigan West Coast Chamber
Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce
The Right Place, Inc.
Chamber of Commerce Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg
Minnesota
Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce
Minneapolis Regional Chamber
TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
Ohio
Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber
Greater Cleveland Partnership
Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce
Columbus Chamber of Commerce
Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce
Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce
Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce
Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber
Wisconsin
Wauwatosa Chamber of Commerce
Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce
Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce
Greater Green Bay Chamber
This week, Congress is expected to add funding to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a forgivable loan program aimed at helping small businesses make payroll amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The previous fund of $349 billion was exhausted in 14 days, with Mississippi small businesses receiving more than 14,200 loans equating to about $1.9 billion according to the SBA.
The new deal to add funding to the PPP is expected to be finalized tomorrow, April 24th. The funds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Some local banks are already accepting applications. If you are a small business in our city, call your local bank today!
Only those who make the effort to apply early will receive funds. If you need more information, please visit www.sba.gov.
Lexington Rockbridge Chamber: Virtual Cash Mob
Virtual CASH MOB on Thursday
We are excited to host our first virtual CASH MOB this Thursday, April 23! Normally we would surprise one of our member retailers with a physical "mob" of shoppers at a pre-determined time, but this one will be a little different. Make plans to pick up some goodies from Old Lex Mercantile any time on Thursday! Orders may be placed by calling (540) 319-4180 or via Facebook!
From Mike Paone: Joliet Chamber of Commerce
Chamber Members:
We hope that everyone had an enjoyable weekend and that you continue to find ways to adapt during this time of uncertainty. A lot has happened over the past several days and we have shared a number of resources for all of you to utilize. Today, we sent out a COVID-19 Impact Survey that we hope all of you will find the time to take so that we can gather feedback on the impact that the Coronavirus has had on your organization. If you missed that email, here is the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2X3QYL7
This past Friday we also conducted a video conference with U.S. Congressman Bill Foster and Illinois State Representative Larry Walsh, Jr. It was a highly informative discussion and questions were taken during this one-hour session. We thank both of our elected officials, as well as all that joined us on the call for taking time out of your busy day. We will continue to offer video conferences/webinars as timely topics arise. Here is the video link if you were not able to join us:
https://transcripts.gotomeeting.com/#/s/c63992dff5c78227ba3ae14fe36042f2d85c2cdb27caa8dcb1b45a5b6ee79ee0
Friday was also the second week that our Coronavirus went out as a video edition. The video has been displayed on our various social media accounts. If you have not yet connected with us, please do so today!
www.facebook.com/jolietchamberofcommerceandindustry/
www.twitter.com/jolietchamber
www.linkedin.com/groups/1769881/
http://www.youtube.com/jolietchamber
SBA processed more than 14 years’ worth of loans in under 14 days
As of Thursday, the SBA is currently unable to accept new applications for the PPP based on available appropriations funding. Also, the SBA is unable to accept new applications for the EIDL COVID-19 related assistance program, including EIDL Advances, based on available appropriations funding. Applicants who already submitted their applications will continue to be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. The SBA is committed to helping small businesses recover from the economic impact with additional assistance including SBA 7(a), 504 and microloans, on which the SBA is offering Debt Relief; or, SBA Express Bridge Loans.
CARES 2 / Phase 4 Funding Discussions
It looks like a deal is nearing to add an additional $3000 billion plus to the Paycheck Protection Program ($50 billion more than previous reports). Session in the Senate broke today without an agreement, but a new session has been scheduled for tomorrow. If approved then, the House could take up the vote on Thursday. Additionally, the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, or EIDL, that provides financing and advances as grants of as much as $10,000 for businesses, would get $50 to $60 billion more. The deal will include $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for virus testing. As of right now, the agreement will not include aid for state and local governments.
Please contact our elected officials to share your support of an agreement that would replenish the EIDL and PPP funds. Numerous organizations are waiting to apply and/or receive these in order to survive.
Senator Durbin – https://www.durbin.senate.gov/contact
Senator Duckworth – https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/connect/email-tammy
Congressman Foster - https://foster.house.gov/contact
The U.S. Chamber released a useful guide for independent contractors and self-employed individuals to help them access assistance under the Federal CARES Act. This includes loans through the Paycheck Protection Program and the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, as well as Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. Please take a look the guide here or the attached document.
We had mentioned on Friday the announcement that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, funded by corporate and philanthropic partners, initiated the Save Small Business Fund. It is a collective effort to provide $5,000 grants to as many small employers as possible. The application process opened today at 2:00 PM.
- TO QUALIFY YOU MUST:
- Employ between 3 and 20 people
- Be located in an economically vulnerable community (there is a zip code field on the landing page that shows if eligible)
- Have been harmed financially by the COVID-19 pandemic
- Be located in an economically vulnerable community (there is a zip code field on the landing page that shows if eligible)
- Have been harmed financially by the COVID-19 pandemic
- WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
- The application is short. It will take about 10 minutes to complete.
- All you will need is your business's W-9 form.
- Grants will be awarded on a weekly basis, but you only need to apply one time to be eligible for funding.
Simply click here for full details and the link to apply
Here are two new FAQ links from the U.S. Treasury. The links answer many questions related to economic impact payments, error messages on the IRS portal, etc.
- All you will need is your business's W-9 form.
- Grants will be awarded on a weekly basis, but you only need to apply one time to be eligible for funding.
Simply click here for full details and the link to apply
Here are two new FAQ links from the U.S. Treasury. The links answer many questions related to economic impact payments, error messages on the IRS portal, etc.
- Economic Impact Payment FAQs: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center
- “Get My Payment” FAQs: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment-frequently-asked-questions
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Regional Economic Development Team, Office of Minority Economic Empowerment, and the Small Business Association will be hosting a technical assistance webinar to support businesses and workers across Illinois. Registration is required:
Friday, April 24, 2020
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (CDT)
https://bit.ly/2wMX6Ju
Illinois Senate President Don Harmon has reached out to members of the Illinois congressional delegation seeking a $40 billion federal bailout to prop up the state's underfunded public employee pensions, to fund unemployment insurance and to aid hospitals and cities.
Illinois needs more than $40 billion in relief from the federal government because of the coronavirus pandemic. Here is the breakdown:
- $15 billion grant to stabilize the state’s budget
- $10 billion toward pension system payments
- $9.6 billion in direct aid to Illinois’s cities
- $6 billion for the state’s unemployment insurance fund
- Hardship money for hospitals and nursing homes
Finally, “business as usual” will be far from what we are used to here in the near future. All employers are going to have to take a hard look at the many issues and risks as we move to a responsible reopening. We will continue to monitor the situation, but in the meantime consider the following and how you plan to handle each as time goes on:
- Phasing in essential workers
- Checking temps at the door?
- Providing PPE – who pays for it?
- Managing public transportation
- Reacting to childcare issues
- Protecting health/privacy issues
- Avoiding discrimination claims
- Diminishing the threat of Workers’ Comp claims
- Managing Public Relations
- And much more
Graves County Economic Development and Chamber Establish Small Business Grant Fund
The Mayfield-Graves County Chamber of Commerce and Graves County Economic Development are establishing a small business grant fund through the Mayfield Community Foundation to help business owners impacted by COVID-19. The fund will allow citizens and businesses to make financial contributions to help small businesses located in Graves County. Businesses may request up to $2,000 and applications will be evaluated by a committee established by the Foundation.
Ryan Drane, President of Graves County Economic Development had this to say about the fund, “These are certainly unprecedented times and our business owners need all of us now more than ever. Managing this fund through the Mayfield Community Foundation will allow for transparency and for 100% of the funds to go towards assisting those small businesses that need it the most.”
“In working closely with the business community during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become apparent that we have businesses that either don’t qualify for the federal programs or have not received assistance yet. I am thankful that GCED and the Chamber are able to use their resources to help our local businesses when they need it most,” said Denise Thompson, President of Mayfield/Graves County Chamber of Commerce.
Graves County Economic Development has designated a portion of their funds to create the grant, but the community is encouraged to donate, as well. The grant will be open Wednesday, April 22nd at 10:00 a.m. If you are interested in making a tax-deductible contribution, you can make it online by visiting www.mayfieldgraveschamber.com or simply stop by any 1st KY Bank location and make your check out to the Mayfield Community Foundation referencing the Small Business Fund in the memo line. Any amount will be accepted. The grant is designed to have participation from local businesses and community members alike. For additional assistance regarding a contribution, please contact Denise Thompson, Mayfield/Graves County Chamber of Commerce President at 270-705-0182 or denise@mayfieldgraveschamber.com.
Qualifying small businesses are considered to have 1-25 employees. Preference will be given to brick & mortar businesses that have their main location in Graves County. Franchisee businesses are eligible to apply if the owner is a Mayfield/Graves County resident. Funds can be used to pay rent/mortgage, payroll and utilities. Applicants will be scored based on a number of criteria. The scoring sheet will be provided with the application.
Applications will be available on Wednesday at 10 AM via the Chamber’s website www.mayfieldgraveschamber.com or by following Graves County Economic Development, Mayfied/Graves County Chamber of Commerce or Mayfield Strong Together on Facebook and clicking on the application link.
Contact for more information: Denise Thompson Mayfield/Graves County Chamber of Commerce President - 270-705-0182 denise@mayfieldgraveschamber.com
#FamousChamber of Commerce Quotations: Be happy!
"One bad chapter doesn’t mean your story is over."
#ChamberSong --- "A Song to Make You Smile"
- Happy --- Pharell Williams
Updated3/20/2020 6:45 AM
We're going to try to inject a little positivity in the paper (and on dailyherald.com) with a daily "Song to Make You Smile."
It's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk.
Fulton County awarded $250,000
The Fulton County Chamber of Commerce and Fulton Economic Development (FEDCO) are pleased to announce that Fulton County has been awarded $250,000 by Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA). These funds will be used to provide grants to small businesses in order to retain employees.
On April 1, the COVID-19 Response Program launched and, over the course of two weeks, received 108 Letters of Need, totaling an estimated $23 million in requests. 13 rural Hoosier communities will receive more than $1.96 million in federal grant funding through the new COVID-19 Response Program.
“Our rural communities are feeling the effects of COVID-19 and need immediate support to ensure that critical services and supplies, as well as economic recovery resources are available," said Jodi Golden, Executive Director of OCRA. “These are the first of many projects we hope to fund through this new program.”
"We are thrilled to be selected as a grant recipient, and look forward to assisting many area small businesses during this time," says Jillian Smith, Executive Director of the Chamber. Terry Lee, Executive Director of FEDCO adds, "what an opportunity to leverage our great partnership with Fulton County, the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs to help those Fulton County businesses who are most at risk during this unparalleled national emergency."
The County is finalizing details of the application process. Please email Jillian or Terry if you would like to be notified when the grant requirements are announced and the application period begins.
Sincerely,
Jillian Smith
Fulton County Chamber of Commerce
574.223.0700
chamber@rtcol.com
Terry Lee
Fulton Economic Development
574.223.0701
tlee@fultondevelopment.org
Important Wisconsin COVID 19 Resources
Business
State
Wisconsin Manufacturing & Commerce
Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Executives
Wisconsin Small Business Development Center
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Federal
Small Business Administration --- Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Internal Revenue Service - Corona Tax Relief & Economic Impact payments
Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
Health
State
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Wisconsin Department of Health Services Phone number --- 608-266-1683
Office of Governor Tony Evers
Senator Ron Johnson
Senator Tammy Baldwin
Federal -
Center for Disease Control
United States Government
U.S. White House
U.S. Food & Drug Administration
World Health Organization (WHO)
A 33-year-old financial adviser has raised more than $15,000 to support the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry during the coronavirus pandemic -- and he has the hairstyle of "Seinfeld" character George Costanza to show for it.
Having sported the same professional do for the past decade, Nick Ninedorf noticed his full head of hair was getting a little shaggy during the stay-at-home order.
Rather than ask his wife, Karly, to give him a trim -- she had never done it before and was starting to get nervous -- the Campton Hills resident saw an opportunity to simultaneously do something charitable and make people smile.
On April 10, Ninedorf launched a Facebook fundraiser seeking donations for the food pantry, an organization founded by local churches to help families in need. In turn, he pledged to let his wife cut his hair live on Facebook.
Here's the catch: The amount of money raised would determine how Ninedorf's hair would be styled.
Anything less than $1,000 and he'd keep his "normal, boring" financial adviser haircut, his Facebook post said. The styles became increasingly ridiculous from there: the haircut worn by rapper Macklemore, a flat top, a bowl cut, a mohawk, and finally, if he exceeded $10,000, "The Costanza."
Ninedorf and his friends bounced around ideas for pairing cuts to price ranges before deciding the top-tier hairstyle should resemble that of the famously bald "Seinfeld" character.
Ninedorf never expected to make it that far; the halfway point, he thought, might be achievable. But by Sunday, hundreds of people had given about $11,000 to the cause, and more donations were rolling in.
Karly got to work that afternoon shaving the top of her husband's head and cutting his remaining hair, all of which was broadcast on Facebook Live. With her funny facial expressions and nervous laughter, Ninedorf said, his wife was the real star of the roughly 40-minute video. Read more: Daily Herald
Nick Ninedorf is a member and past president of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, a member of the Geneva Lions Club and previously served on the board for the Tri City Health Partnership. Karly Ninedorf is a contracted counselor with Prairie Wellness Counseling Center in Batavia. They are parents to a two-year old daughter and will welcome their second child in late May.
Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best Chamber Partner in the USA!
Jillian Smith
Fulton County Chamber of Commerce
574.223.0700
chamber@rtcol.com
Terry Lee
Fulton Economic Development
574.223.0701
tlee@fultondevelopment.org
Important Wisconsin COVID 19 Resources
Business
State
Wisconsin Manufacturing & Commerce
Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Executives
Wisconsin Small Business Development Center
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Federal
Small Business Administration --- Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Internal Revenue Service - Corona Tax Relief & Economic Impact payments
Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
Health
State
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Wisconsin Department of Health Services Phone number --- 608-266-1683
Office of Governor Tony Evers
Senator Ron Johnson
Senator Tammy Baldwin
Federal -
Center for Disease Control
- Symptoms
- How to protect Yourself & Others
- What to Do if You are Sick
- People at Higher Risk for Severe Illness
- Healthcare Professionals
United States Government
U.S. White House
U.S. Food & Drug Administration
World Health Organization (WHO)
From Auburn Hills Chamber: Save Small Business Fund Providing $5000 in Short-Term Relief
Small businesses are the foundation of our communities and our economy. The impacts of the coronavirus pandemic have wrought unprecedented financial uncertainty.
That’s why the Save Small Business Fund, a grantmaking initiative funded by contributions from corporate and philanthropic partners, is providing $5,000 in short-term relief to employers across the United States. These one-time supplemental cash grants are for businesses that have between 3 and 20 employees and operate in an economically vulnerable community.
The grant application will go live on Monday, April 20 at 3:00 PM. To learn more about the Save Small Business Fund and to apply for a grant, visit savesmallbusiness.com.
How a Campton Hills man's Costanza haircut raised $15K for a Batavia food pantry
A 33-year-old financial adviser has raised more than $15,000 to support the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry during the coronavirus pandemic -- and he has the hairstyle of "Seinfeld" character George Costanza to show for it.
Having sported the same professional do for the past decade, Nick Ninedorf noticed his full head of hair was getting a little shaggy during the stay-at-home order.
Rather than ask his wife, Karly, to give him a trim -- she had never done it before and was starting to get nervous -- the Campton Hills resident saw an opportunity to simultaneously do something charitable and make people smile.
On April 10, Ninedorf launched a Facebook fundraiser seeking donations for the food pantry, an organization founded by local churches to help families in need. In turn, he pledged to let his wife cut his hair live on Facebook.
Here's the catch: The amount of money raised would determine how Ninedorf's hair would be styled.
Anything less than $1,000 and he'd keep his "normal, boring" financial adviser haircut, his Facebook post said. The styles became increasingly ridiculous from there: the haircut worn by rapper Macklemore, a flat top, a bowl cut, a mohawk, and finally, if he exceeded $10,000, "The Costanza."
Ninedorf and his friends bounced around ideas for pairing cuts to price ranges before deciding the top-tier hairstyle should resemble that of the famously bald "Seinfeld" character.
Ninedorf never expected to make it that far; the halfway point, he thought, might be achievable. But by Sunday, hundreds of people had given about $11,000 to the cause, and more donations were rolling in.
Karly got to work that afternoon shaving the top of her husband's head and cutting his remaining hair, all of which was broadcast on Facebook Live. With her funny facial expressions and nervous laughter, Ninedorf said, his wife was the real star of the roughly 40-minute video. Read more: Daily Herald
Nick Ninedorf is a member and past president of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, a member of the Geneva Lions Club and previously served on the board for the Tri City Health Partnership. Karly Ninedorf is a contracted counselor with Prairie Wellness Counseling Center in Batavia. They are parents to a two-year old daughter and will welcome their second child in late May.
Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best Chamber Partner in the USA!
Town Square Publications, a division of the Daily Herald Media Group, is a national chamber custom publishing group that specializes in developing partnerships by producing high-quality print and digitally integrated publications along with other added value programs dedicated to creating relevancy for local chambers of commerce and other membership focused organizations interested in raising non-dues revenues.
Town Square Publications parent company, Paddock Publications, has over 100 years’ experience of print product development and dedicated customer service in communities throughout the Midwest. Our experience allows Town Square Publications to offer you attractive royalty and non-dues revenue share streams, provide direct distribution of your custom designed printed publications, including digital and mobile integration, and all with the quickest turn-around times available in the industry. Town Square also offers multi-media maps in both print and online formats, both with our No-Cost guarantee. More information: Town Square Publications
Chambers of Commerce and member focused organizations serve as a valuable resource in the local marketplace. The networking opportunities and representation with a wide variety of diverse businesses in your community is the catalyst of a successful organization. For further information about Town Square's publishing partnership with chambers of commerce and our No-Cost guarantee and Earned Revenue Share Program, To request your chamber publication or map proposal, contact Town Square Chamber Proposal
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