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Good morning #ChamberWorld! It's going to be a great day!
ReOpening Message from Rex Richards, Valpo Chamber
Monday, May 11, the Valpo Chamber will be re-opening its doors. Our staff has been busy like many of your businesses preparing to make the business environment safe for both employees and customers.
We have installed plastic plexiglass at our reception counter. I want to thank Family Express for providing the Chamber with tissue holders and tissue for our front and back doors as well as all four-bathroom doors. Our office is being thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. We as a staff, have spent a lot of time figuring out, like your firms, what is the best way to interact with each other to maintain social distancing.
I direct everyone to our Valpo Chamber website where we have posted Governor Holcomb’s five phase plan with guidelines and time table. This is very helpful to guiding business actions as we all start to re- engage. Restaurants can begin serving customers inside at 50% of capacity on May 11th.
We will be running commercials on 105.5 blanketing the airwaves to advertise our gift certificates starting this Sunday through the end of the month. We want to thank Adams Radio Group for assisting the Chamber. Purchasing Valpo Chamber Gift Certificates is a great way to get the local economy moving because we have over 120 businesses participating who accept them. All participating businesses who redeem them are listed on the gift certificates. Locally owned grocery stores, hardware stores, restaurants and many types of businesses accept them. You can call in your order for purchasing and pay with credit card: 219-462-1105.
Thanks also goes to Tina Bengs with Ogletree Deakins for timely human resource legal advice on personnel procedures in these difficult times.
AM Valpo had 75 business professionals participating in the zoom meeting this past Wednesday. Former Judge Bill Alexa participated all the way from Venice, Florida. He gave us a Gulf Coast weather update.
The Chamber’s first big summer event will be June 22 with the FunDay Golf Classic. Be on the lookout for the details next week to start making your reservations.
Join the Monday morning 8:30 a.m. call-in for Mayor Murphy’s briefing to the business community. Our mayor will have timely information regarding public services as city government helps facilitate opening up our community.
Be safe as each of you begin to help open up our Valpo economy. Let’s get back to building our great community.
Rex G. Richards, CCE
President
Team Kentucky: Healthy at Work: How We Reopen Our Economy
To ensure the health and safety of Kentucky families, Governor Beshear urges Kentuckians to remain Healthy at Home and follow the federal and state protocols for limiting the spread of COVID-19, which can be found at kycovid19.ky.gov. Everyone needs to do their part for themselves, their loved ones, and our community. We have a responsibility to ourselves and to each other to protect our state and our community. However, Kentucky families and businesses must also prepare to reopen our economy.
Healthy at Work is a phased approach to reopen Kentucky’s economy. It is based on criteria set by public health experts and advice from industry experts. Each phase will be rolled out in steps to ensure the Commonwealth’s citizens can safely return to work while still protecting the most vulnerable Kentuckians.
Before any reopening can begin, the Governor will determine whether Kentucky has met certain public health benchmarks for reopening Kentucky’s economy. These benchmarks are based on the White House’s Guidelines for Reopening America. No reopening will occur until the Governor determines Kentucky has met these benchmarks.
Benchmarks for Reopening Economy
COVID-19
14 days of decreasing cases
Increased testing capacity on contact tracing
Personal protective equipment (PPE) availability
Ability to protect at-risk populations
Ability to social distance and follow the CDC's guidelines on large gatherings
Preparedness for possible future spike
Status of vaccine and treatment
On May 11, 2020, Kentucky will begin Phase 1 of Healthy at Work. The first step of Phase 1 will include the reopening of some additional non-life-sustaining businesses in the following economic sectors: manufacturing, distribution, supply-chain, construction, vehicle and vessel dealerships, office-based businesses (50% or less in office), photography, and horse-racing (no fans).
However, each business reopening must meet certain Minimum Requirements in addition to industry specific guidance. For those businesses deemed life-sustaining, which have remained operating, will be expected to meet the minimum requirements no later than May 11, 2020.
If any business in a sector being reopened cannot comply with the minimum requirements or industry-specific requirements, they must wait to reopen until they are able to do so or until some or all of these restrictions are lifted.
Please click on Minimum Requirements for more details. Industry-specific guidance is also provided in PDF links in the table below. Industry-specific guidance will be updated as additional sectors of the economy reopen.
Minimum Requirements for All Businesses
Read more: Team Kentucky
Crystal Lake Chamber names new president and CEO
According to a news release, Eich will begin on Monday.
"William Eich brings with him a wealth of experience of serving the community, having been the President of the Crystal Lake Food Pantry for the past five years," the chamber said in the news release. "During that time, he has fostered an atmosphere of collaboration with community partners that has allowed the food pantry to establish sustainability and even expand services to distribute more food into McHenry County.
"In addition, as a board member of the Northern Illinois Food Bank he has been involved in creating awareness and advocating for issues relevant to hunger in our community and throughout the state."
Eich has given speeches to government and business organizations to create a greater understanding of legislation, taxation and other fiscal matters that affect our community, according to the release.
The release stated that Williams' experience as a commercial and residential property owner and broker at Eich Management Corporation parallels many of the responsibilities of running the Chamber of Commerce.
"For over 30 years he has worked to build and expand his business, experiencing many fluctuations, opportunities and challenges. This experience provided him with a unique perspective and understanding of both small and large businesses," according to the release. "He believes it is important to appreciate and respect the hard work involved in running a business in our community. This is a vital part of defining the support and leadership that our Chamber of Commerce needs to provide in order for our community to grow." NW Herald
Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce Community and Membership Guide
Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
PPP Update
Another PPP frequently asked question document was released yesterday and can be found here: https://www.sba.gov/document/support--faq-lenders-borrowers . We are hearing that the program has gone through about two-thirds of the newly infused funds. Forecasts are the remaining portion will likely dry up over the next few days. Questions are surfacing regarding the situation where an offer has been made to employees to return to work and they decline the opportunity. Worry sets in that the borrower’s PPP loan forgiveness amount will be reduced because they have not brought back all employees. Question #40 addresses this specific topic as the SBA and Treasury intend to issue an interim final rule excluding laid-off employees whom the borrower offered to rehire (for the same salary/wages and same number of hours) from the CARES Act’s loan forgiveness reduction calculation. The interim final rule will specify that, to qualify for this exception, the borrower must have made a good faith, written offer of rehire, and the employee’s rejection of that offer must be documented by the borrower. Employees and employers should be aware that employees who reject offers of re-employment may forfeit eligibility for continued unemployment compensation.
Special thanks to Sue Olenek from the Will County Health Department & Community Health Center as she delivered a highly informative presentation during today’s virtual conference center. A great update that will be posted on our COVID-19 resource page for those that weren’t able to join us. Make sure to register for this Friday at 10 am as we welcome Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk for city update.
Finally, this week the update has been wrapped up with a reminder. Today’s reminder is to direct you to the Illinois Department of Public Health website where you can find COVID-19 resources that can be posted in your workplace and/or shared with your employees:
https://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus/media-publications
Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory Magazine
The new Chamber of Commerce magazine is available at the Chamber today! Thanks to Joy Stump and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce Community and Membership Guide
Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
From Mike Paone - Joliet Chamber
Another PPP frequently asked question document was released yesterday and can be found here: https://www.sba.gov/document/support--faq-lenders-borrowers . We are hearing that the program has gone through about two-thirds of the newly infused funds. Forecasts are the remaining portion will likely dry up over the next few days. Questions are surfacing regarding the situation where an offer has been made to employees to return to work and they decline the opportunity. Worry sets in that the borrower’s PPP loan forgiveness amount will be reduced because they have not brought back all employees. Question #40 addresses this specific topic as the SBA and Treasury intend to issue an interim final rule excluding laid-off employees whom the borrower offered to rehire (for the same salary/wages and same number of hours) from the CARES Act’s loan forgiveness reduction calculation. The interim final rule will specify that, to qualify for this exception, the borrower must have made a good faith, written offer of rehire, and the employee’s rejection of that offer must be documented by the borrower. Employees and employers should be aware that employees who reject offers of re-employment may forfeit eligibility for continued unemployment compensation.
Special thanks to Sue Olenek from the Will County Health Department & Community Health Center as she delivered a highly informative presentation during today’s virtual conference center. A great update that will be posted on our COVID-19 resource page for those that weren’t able to join us. Make sure to register for this Friday at 10 am as we welcome Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk for city update.
Finally, this week the update has been wrapped up with a reminder. Today’s reminder is to direct you to the Illinois Department of Public Health website where you can find COVID-19 resources that can be posted in your workplace and/or shared with your employees:
https://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus/media-publications
Area Development Partnership (ADP): Reopening Readiness Survey!
Local and state officials are preparing to ease restrictions on businesses, allowing for reopening in the coming days and weeks. To do this, they need to hear from you concerning the readiness of your business to resume operations amidst the COVID-19 crisis.
This information will be used to better gauge your needs during the ongoing period of recovery and to develop safe reopening policies. The results of the survey will be shared with Mayor Toby Barker and the City of Hattiesburg's Community Working Group.
Click HERE to complete the survey by Friday, May 15 at 5:00 p.m.
Battle Creek Unlimited Covid 19 Microgrant Fund
Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) – through the generosity of Consumers Energy and W.K. Kellogg Foundation – has expanded the Battle Creek-Area covid-19 Microgrant Fund to assist small businesses and nonprofits negatively affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The program is an extension of BCU’s previous microgrant fund to aid distressed small businesses and nonprofits in the corporate limits of the City of Battle Creek. With additional contributions, grants may be awarded in the City of Springfield or the charter townships of Bedford, Emmett or Pennfield in addition to the City of Battle Creek.
ELIGIBILITY The program is intended to alleviate economic distress for eligible applicants and their employees on an interim basis until State or Federal programs are available (SBA loans and/or other State or Federal programs).
Applicants must fall within the following criteria of eligibility:
• Operate within the corporate limits of the cities of Battle Creek or Springfield
• Operate within the corporate limits of the charter townships of Bedford, Emmett or Pennfield
• Have 15 employees or fewer
• Have annual revenue of $1 million or less
Mclean County Chamber: Guide to re-opening your Business Sponsored by Troxell
We are as anxious for businesses to reopen as our members are. To help ensure a smooth transition in the coming weeks, the Chamber is providing all McLean County businesses with a guide on Reopening Your Business in the Age of COVID-19.
This toolkit will help you navigate the new normal and ensure the safety of our community, providing guidance to safely serve your customers and accommodate your employees.
Download the Guide
The McLean County Chamber of Commerce strives to be your one-stop business resource to assist during the coronavirus pandemic, connecting you to reliable and accurate information. We’re here for you – advocating for your business at the state and federal levels and providing resources to help you protect the health of your workforce and operations. Updates will continue to be added to our COVID-19 resource website
Naperville Area Chamber Of Commerce Releases Sobering Results Covid-19 Business Impact Survey
Today, the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors issued the results of its two-week survey of 155 local businesses and nonprofits, showing that nearly one third had less than two months of cash reserves before facing a permanent shutdown. In solidarity with our membership, individual Board leaders pooled together contributions to fund a full-page ad in the Daily Herald, outlining the survey results and supporting a responsible re-opening of businesses.
“We gathered hard data to show the impact that COVID-19 and the resulting shutdowns have had for local businesses and nonprofits,” says Ian Holzhauer, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “The survey intentionally sought facts, not just opinions: How large is your business? How long until you run out of cash? The results were sobering for me -- not just in my Chamber capacity, but as a small business employee, a community member, and as a father. Our local businesses, employees, and families -- the heart and soul of Naperville -- are facing imminent, catastrophic, and irreparable harm.”
“We have been working hard for our members, and all businesses during this pandemic. We’ve had so many conversations with local and federal officials, it was time to show our members where we stand,” said Kaylin Risvold, President and CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce. “NACC says we are Your Advocate, and that is something I want all members to really know. We are working so hard each day through many different channels both public and behind the scenes to advocate to reopen right and reopen responsibly.”
The advocacy efforts by the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce have taken many forms since the onset of this crisis. NACC is one of the only Chambers in Illinois outside of Chicago with a dedicated full-time advocacy staffer.
In the early weeks, NACC directed efforts to be a vetted source of financial resources available to businesses. As health officials gained more experience regarding the spread of the virus and more agreed upon health protections required, NACC has now changed focus toward “HOW” businesses can re-open safely and profitably.
“NACC is resolute in paving the way for an expedited yet safe re-opening process for our members. We are in conversations to determine what concerns and barriers exist that impedes this process and how as an organization we work to address these concerns.”, said Reba Osborne, Director of Government Affairs for NACC. “I’ve been on countless phone calls with various industries to learn what is needed. Social distancing requirements significantly change how a business operates and what additional resources are needed.”
“In an effort to address this pandemic, our local, state, and federal governments took extraordinary measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Through those measures, vast segments of our local and national economies were completely shut down,” said Sean LaFortune, Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Board Member. “We have long since passed the time to take the steps necessary to open those businesses back up. Not doing so risks permanent and irreparable harm to our community. Continued closure of these businesses will have long-lasting catastrophic consequences for our local and national economy, which in turn will create more harm to our community than the pandemic itself. The single most important thing I can do as a Naperville Chamber of Commerce Board Member is to provide my full support in re-opening of the state.”
“Reopening business is like raising a tent, each side must be lifted in concert,” Osborne continued. “Infrastructure such as childcare to ensure an adequate workforce, dependable supply of PPEs, quality training to the new norm for health standards must be addressed along with the urgency to re-open businesses before the loss of revenues result in permanent closures.”
It is those permanent closures the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce is trying to avoid, “We want businesses to have the ability to reopen, but we know they need to reopen responsibly,” Risvold said. “Our businesses need time to learn, train, and prepare for a safe and responsible reopening. We must ensure businesses have access to masks, sanitizers, as well as childcare for their employees’ children. While we understand we cannot flip a switch and go back to normal overnight, we must give businesses an opportunity to prepare to return to work. We need to responsibly restore our businesses, so together, we can help Restore Illinois.”
Check out all upcoming NACC events including a Town Hall with Congressman Bill Foster and Congressman Sean Casten on Friday, May 8, and a Conversation with NACC on Responsible Reopening on Tuesday, May 12 at www.naperville.net.
Niles Chamber of Commerce of Commerce & Industry 2020 Community Guide & Membership Directory
The Niles Chamber of Commerce & Industry 2020 Community Guide & Membership Directory is available at the Niles Chamber of Commerce & Industry today! Thanks to Alicia Bermes and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Letter from Doug Smith, CEO, The Alliance (Formerly HREDA)
Thank you to those who participated in the 757 COVID-19 Business Leaders Wave 2 Survey.
This link will take everyone to the Wave 2 Final Report: https://www.757recovery.com/survey
This region-wide COVID-19 Business Leaders research initiative is being conducted by a coalition of Hampton Roads’ leading business organizations. This includes the Alliance (formerly HREDA), Hampton Roads Chamber, Virginia Peninsula Chamber, Reinvent Hampton Roads, Hampton Roads Workforce Council, Greater Peninsula Workforce Board, the Old Dominion University Strome College of Business, and William & Mary Mason School of Business. SIR, a national research firm, is managing this research initiative.
Please read the Wave 2 full report. Here are a few highlights:
This link will take everyone to the Wave 2 Final Report: https://www.757recovery.com/survey
This region-wide COVID-19 Business Leaders research initiative is being conducted by a coalition of Hampton Roads’ leading business organizations. This includes the Alliance (formerly HREDA), Hampton Roads Chamber, Virginia Peninsula Chamber, Reinvent Hampton Roads, Hampton Roads Workforce Council, Greater Peninsula Workforce Board, the Old Dominion University Strome College of Business, and William & Mary Mason School of Business. SIR, a national research firm, is managing this research initiative.
Please read the Wave 2 full report. Here are a few highlights:
- Actions Taken: Three-quarters of business leaders report decreased revenue because of the COVID-19 crisis. 36% of businesses have had to reduce their workforce and just over a third have had to change their business model to stay in business. Unfortunately, 10% have had to close completely.
- Reached the Peak? While this is still a very challenging time for the 757 region and our business community, we may have passed the peak period of business disruption. Nearly two-thirds (65% top two box rating) of Hampton Roads business leaders now feel the COVID-19 crisis has been disruptive or extremely disruptive to their business. This is an improvement from the early Benchmark Wave in which three-fourths (75%) reported the crisis was disruptive or extremely disruptive.
- Reopening Plans: Hampton Roads’ business leaders see a clear priority when it comes to industries that should be allowed to return to work locations before others. They place the healthcare industry, military and civilian support, and local governments before business in general. Over two in five plan to get back to a physical space as soon as possible, while one-third can continue to work remotely. (We hope they will).
- The Future: While there may be an improvement in how disruptive COVID-19 is to business, business leaders see the overall impact of the crisis lasting for a long time. Nearly two in five feel their business will be affected for a year or more post-COVID-19.
The 757 Recovery Forum is helping business leaders cut through the clutter to connect with our region’s leading local experts who are providing tips and advice for staying ahead of the curve. We’re addressing the latest actions local business leaders are taking to protect their workers and build their organizations’ resiliency. We’re tackling what the federal CARES Act means for businesses and our community. Our experts are speaking candidly about the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) provisions and the latest news on PPP qualifications and loan forgiveness. You can post questions to be answered or join our experts live as they answer questions and foster real-time discussion on the issues at hand.
Over the next few weeks, we will turn the 757 Forum discussion, and our upcoming Wave 3 survey, towards our region’s reopening plan.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions as we work together to accelerate Hampton Roads’ economic recovery.
Sincerely,
Doug SmithDouglas L. Smith
President & CEO
500 East Main Street, Suite 1300
Norfolk, VA 23510
p: +1(757) 627-2315
www.hreda.com
Pritzker outlines regional reopening as state records 176 new COVID-19 deaths
As the state saw its largest single-day spike in COVID-19 deaths with 176 more dead, Gov. J.B. Pritzker unveiled a plan to reopen four different regions of the state in five phases.
But the governor's office said no parts of the state will open further until at least May 29.
Pritzker previously had announced a modified stay-at-home order through May 30, which coincides with Phase 2, the "flattening" period.
The plan ranges from strict social distancing amid rapid disease spread in Phase 1 to fully opening schools, businesses and recreation in Phase 5.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker unveiled a plan Tuesday to reopen four different regions of the state in five phases. - Courtesy of the State of Illinois
The plan to reopen the state came amid a record high number of deaths in a 24-hour period, including the first deaths in some downstate counties.
The single-day death count includes 117 people ranging from their 30s to their 90s in Cook County, 13 people in their 50s to 90s in DuPage County, eight people in their 40s to 90s in Kane County, two people in their 40s and 90s in Lake County, two people in their 90s in McHenry County and 10 people in their 70s through 90s in Will County. Read more: Daily Herald
New Berlin Chamber: Competing Plans for Reopening Causing Confusion
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel calls for Statewide Data Driven Approach to reopening state economy
Between the governor's Safer at Home Order, The Badger Bounce Back Plan, WMC's Back to Business Plan, MMAC's Smart Restart Plan, The U.S. Chamber's Path Forward Plan, and a myriad of regional plans being discussed and developed, some businesses are expressing frustration in the lack of clarity and definitive criteria for reopening the economy.
Among the regional plans that have been developed, Forward Janesville, has presented their Better Together Framework as a coordinated plan to reopen Wisconsin Businesses. Their plan is not meant to be a replacement for the Badger Bounce Back or the Back to Business Plan, instead it would create a working platform allowing leaders and experts the ability to utilize the strengths of each plan and communicate clearly and transparently critical information and guidelines.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has endorsed this proposal in today's opinion section. Op-Ed; Wisconsin Needs Statewide Data Driven Approach
To watch a ten minute overview of the Better Together plan
Click Here...
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