Good morning #ChamberWorld! It's going to be a great day!
From Jenn Kinne, Farmville Chamber: Governor Northam Invites Small Businesses and Nonprofits to Apply for Up to $100,000 from Rebuild VA Grant Fund
Program allotted additional $30 million, eligibility expanded
Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Rebuild VA, a grant program to help small businesses and nonprofit organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, will expand eligibility criteria and increase the amount of grant money businesses receive.
Rebuild VA launched in August with $70 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Governor Northam is directing an additional $30 million to support the expansion of the program. Businesses with less than $10 million in gross revenue or fewer than 250 employees will be eligible under the new criteria, and the maximum grant award will increase from $10,000 to $100,000.
“We started Rebuild VA to help small businesses and nonprofit organizations navigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Northam. “These changes to the program will ensure that we can provide additional financial assistance to even more Virginians so they can weather this public health crisis and emerge stronger.”
Rebuild VA will now be open to all types of Virginia small businesses that meet size and other eligibility requirements, from restaurants and summer camps, to farmers and retail shops. Businesses that previously received a Rebuild VA grant will receive a second award correlated with the updated guidelines.
Rebuild VA is administered by the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD) in partnership with the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Virginia Tourism Corporation, and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. Eligible businesses and nonprofits must demonstrate that their normal operations were limited by Governor Northam’s Executive Orders Fifty-Three or Fifty-Five, or that they were directly impacted by the closure of such businesses. In September, the program expanded eligibility to supply chain partners of businesses whose normal operations were impacted by the pandemic.
Rebuild VA funding may be utilized for the following eligible expenses:
Payroll support, including paid sick, medical, or family leave, and costs related to the continuation of group health care benefits during those periods of leave;
Employee salaries;
Mortgage payments, rent, and utilities;
Principal and interest payments for any business loans from national or state-chartered banking, savings and loan institutions, or credit unions, that were incurred before or during the emergency;
Eligible personal protective equipment, cleaning and disinfecting materials, or other working capital needed to address COVID-19 response.
For additional information about Rebuild VA and how to submit an application, please visit governor.virginia.gov/RebuildVA.
Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce President's Message: Don't Be Afraid to Quit
Growing up we have heard this reference repeatedly from parents, coaches, friends, teachers, and others: "Don't be a quitter!" "Quitting is for losers!"
As we start our planning for 2021, quitting may actually be a winning strategy. We have been operating in an alternate reality during 2020. Everything we had planned, everything we have normally done year after year has completely gone out the window.
The pandemic has been a crisis, but it brings opportunity for those willing to get creative. It's time to reimagine, redesign, relaunch. Take a look at the things you have normally done, always done, done just because, and truly ask, "Why?" Is it effective? Is it financially successful? Does it align with your mission? Does it bring value to you and your customers? If not, it may be time to quit!
Many of us are looking forward, planning for 2021. Turn everything on an angle and look at it differently. Get rid of the fluff. Consider whether it's time to kill some of the sacred cows - those events and activities that pop up every year because that's the way it has always been, because no one dares touch it.
What is most exciting about looking ahead, is the chance to wipe the slate clean and innovate. We don't know where the COVID finish line is, but that doesn't mean we can't be winners. --
Suzanne Corr, BACC President/CEO.
New Arrival: Greater Hattiesburg Mississippi Membership Directory and Business Guide 2020-2021
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.
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Lori Hunt named new Coldwater Area Chamber Executive Director
The Coldwater Area Chamber of Commerce announced on Wednesday that Lori Hunt has been chosen as their new Executive Director.
She was one of 19 applicants for the job. Hunt will be taking over from Cayden Sparks as Chamber Director. Her first official day will be August 10.
Hunt’s background includes experience in public relations, project management, marketing, human resources and strategic planning.
She received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Purdue University and has an extensive professional background.
You can email her at Lori@coldwaterchamber.com or call her at (517) 278-5985.
You can also visit her at the Chamber during office hours which are weekdays from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m... Read more: WTVB AM
WELCOME HOME - The Nation's Premier New Resident Marketing Program for Your Chamber Members
Welcome Home, the nation's premier new resident marketing program,is a new mover marketing program designed to help get your chamber members' businesses in front of the most valuable audiences - new residents.
Exclusive to chamber members, the WELCOME HOME program is a remarkable advertising tool, highly visible, targeted and delivered direct to new resident's mailboxes, catching them as they establish new buying habits.
In addition, WELCOME HOME is distributed to local libraries, park districts, municipalities and your local chamber office.
Get your members in front of one of the most valuable audiences: NEW RESIDENTS.
Don't miss this opportunity to promote your member businesses to new residents ON A MONTHLY BASIS, ALL YEAR LONG!
Mailed monthly to new movers from the previous 30 days!
They are new to the neighborhood. They have money to spend. They need your member's businesses and services.
Welcome Home Geneva
Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's NEW MOVER publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Chamber news photo: Plymouth Downtown Planters Thank You Mums Sponsors
Thank you Marshall County Museum, Visit Marshall County, WTCA am 1050, Ren & Beverly Van Gilder, MAX 98.3, Vickie Talcott and The Floor Store or sponsoring mums for the planters this fall.
Covington County Chamber of Commerce Community Map
The Covington County Chamber of Commerce Community Map is available at the Covington County Chamber today! Thanks to Marie Shoemake and her team for their help and direction putting this together!
Covington County Chamber Map
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.
Greater Owensboro Chamber Announces Staffing Restructure
Owensboro, Kentucky – The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce a recent restructuring which includes both new and returning faces.
Shelly Nichols has been appointed to the position of Chamber Vice President. Nichols, a University of Kentucky graduate, relocated to Owensboro in 2006 from Columbus Ohio. During her time in Owensboro, she has worked in community initiatives for the Public Life Foundation managing community projects such as America Speaks, Downtown Placemaking and other engagement initiatives. Nichols has also led OASIS and worked with New Beginnings Sexual Assault Support Services. As Vice President, Nichols will continue guiding membership programs and development and will also spend significant time on community engagement and member services.
Hannah Thurman has been named Director of Talent Programs, Communications and Events. She will also serve as the Executive Director of Leadership Owensboro, the Chamber’s hallmark talent development program. Teachers in the Workplace, Community Campus and Chamber Young Professionals are other programs that Thurman will direct and manage. Thurman has been with the Chamber team since 2019. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Western Kentucky University and has previously held positions at WKU as well as Green River Distilling Co.
Martha Michael has been named Communications and Events Coordinator. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and comes to Owensboro from Spain where she worked a language and cultural assistant.
“The Chamber has acted as a talent incubator for Owensboro for decades. The organization continues to attract the best and brightest people who are interested in serving our community. They sharpen their skills here and move on to continue their career and their community leadership trajectory,” said Candance Castlen Brake, Chamber President and CEO. “Jaclyn Graves leaving to lead the Greater Owensboro Realtors Association and Jessica Kirk taking a position with corporate leader Boardwalk Pipelines embodies this role of the Chamber.”
Shop Local; Portage County Business Council Supports Local Holiday Shopping
In Portage County, 83% of businesses have nineteen or fewer employees. Small businesses are central in central Wisconsin and the entrepreneurial spirit is strong. With Small Business Saturday right around the corner, the Portage County Business Council (PCBC) is putting a special emphasis on local shopping and supporting small business. PCBC supports businesses of any size but recognizes that in this pandemic small, local businesses need an extra boost.
PCBC will be launching our annual Elf on the Shelf “Jolly Biz the Membership Elf” promotion on November 1st. We had 36 spots to fill but with an overwhelming response from member businesses, we decided to offer the promotion on weekends and over Thanksgiving to allow greater participation for a total of 53 member businesses! Jolly will be appearing on our Facebook page daily from November 1st through December 23rd. Correctly guess his location and win a prize donated by that business. This contest is a popular and lighthearted way for businesses to gain extra recognition on PCBC’s social media channels.
PCBC is also partnering with 88.5 FM The Family to promote our gift certificate program. With many businesses not having holiday parties and the desire to promote shopping local, anyone can come to the PCBC office or most area banks to buy Portage County gift certificates of various denominations. PCBC does this as a service to local businesses and we make no profit off of their sale. Listen to 88.5 FM to learn more.
“We are a thriving entrepreneurial community with lots of support for our businesses and now more than ever we need to give back to them. Many of these same businesses support your child’s sport or school or non-profit (including PCBC), so get out in-person or online and support them.” shared Todd Kuckkahn, Portage County Business Council Executive Director.
