Portage Area Chamber of Commerce
NEWS BREAK
June 2020
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June Virtual Chamber Business Lunch Meeting
The Portage Area Chamber of Commerce will be continuing to offer our Business Lunch meetings, but in a virtual format this month. We encourage you to join us this month as we feature an Introduction to Aspirus Work Well - Helping Employers Rise Above COVID-19.
Divine Savior, as a member of the Aspirus system, wants to be your local resource for business health. Please join the Portage Chamber for this live webinar to learn more about a new employer toolkit developed by Aspirus to help your business rise above COVID-19.
Donna Owens, Director of Aspirus System Business Services will share workplace safety resources, screening support options/tools and COVID-19 symptom reporting tools available to our Portage Chamber members.
You will attend the meeting virtually and be able to submit questions using the chat feature of the program. You can also submit a question to us prior to the meeting by emailing us at pacc@portagewi.com
Date and Time: Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 11:30am
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Chamber Golf Outing is July 8
The Portage Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual golf outing on Wednesday, July 8. While the outing is a great networking opportunity, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the outing will feature some changes from past outings.
We look forward to a fun day away from the office! For more information, call 608-742-6242.
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City of Portage extends State of Emergency
The City of Portage approved extending the City's State of Emergency. You may view the proclamation
here
.
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Festival Food Fireworks Celebration
The Portage Area Chamber of Commerce is working with the City of Portage on an alternate site for the Festival Foods Fireworks Celebration on Saturday, June 27.
We want to make you aware that things have changed with Covid-19. We will still be celebrating, mindful that because of social distancing the event will look different this year. Stay tuned for an announcement regarding this event.
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Virtual Public Workshop on City Sign Code Update
Due to several major Court decisions impacting municipal sign codes, the City is required to update the existing sign code. This public meeting and informational presentation will serve as a kick-off meeting for the City's effort to update the existing sign ordinance, Sec. 10-371 through Sec. 10-377 of the City Code.
The public is invited to attend to learn about possible changes to the existing City sign code and to offer comment:
Wednesday, June 3 from 5:00pm-6:30pm
Meeting ID: 862 957 5889
Dial by your location: 1-312-626-6799 (Chicago)
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DSH Blood Drive
Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, there is an immediate need for blood donors to ensure a safe supply! Divine Savior Healthcare is hosting a blood drive at Best Western Resort and Conference Center, 2701 County Road CX, on
Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12 from 9am to 2pm.
To comply with government regulations, it is required donors, staff, and sponsors wear a face mask. A mask will be provided if you come without. Get your preferred appointment today, call 608-877-232-4376
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Portage Farmer's Market is back!
The Farmer's Market will begin on June 4 this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Portage Farmer's Market is hosted every Thursday from Noon - 5pm at Commerce Plaza in downtown Portage. The market features homegrown produce items, homemade and handcrafted items.
Across from the Farmer's Market, the Portage Elks Lodge veranda cookouts have resumed. This year they will be serving burgers, brats and BBQ pulled pork from 11am to 5pm. You are welcome and encouraged to call ahead to place your order by calling the Elks Lodge at 742-6040.
For more information and market guidelines,
click here.
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Opening Day Book Signing at Agency House
Come for the Historic Indian Agency House opening day celebration on Saturday, June 6! Author Ann Keating will be present for a book signing of her brand-new, fascinating book: The World of Juliette Kinzie: Chicago Before the Fire. The revamped permanent exhibition in the visitor center will also be unveiled this day. For more information, call the Agency House, located at
1490 Agency House Road, at 608-742-6362.
The Agency House Archaeological Dig has been postponed until July 18-19, 25-26.
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Help VIBE Salon and Spa donate to PFSP
VIBE Salon and Spa is donating 20% of haircut sales to the Portage Family Skate Park project during the month of June. Just be sure to mention 'Sk8clip'. VIBE is located at 218 W. Wisconsin Street.
For more information, call 608-742-8423.
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Library offering limited in-library service
The Library is thrilled to begin providing fundamental services once again to the Portage community.
The Portage Public Library is offering limited in-library service requests by appointment.
• Call 608-742-4959 to schedule your in-library request on 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
• In-library requests will be filled 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and on Saturday 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Initially appointments will be scheduled for 30 minutes. Work at a computer station, browse our collections, make copies, fax documents, or relax and read the paper or a magazine and check-out materials. Reservations apply to one person at a time.
As we navigate this initial reopening we will continue to explore better ways to improve services, support our community and meet your needs. Please be patient. We are eager to welcome back our community but we are determined to remain responsible stewards of your safety and the safety of our staff.
We ask if you are feeling sick in any way you be respectful of others and cancel your appointment.
Portage Public Library | 253 West Edgewater Street | Portage, Wisconsin 53901
608.742.4959 | fax 608.745.0686 | www.portagelibrary.us
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Small Business Association Announces Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Program
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) released the
application and instructions
for loan forgiveness under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The application and instructions provide additional clarity to borrowers regarding the process and calculations applicable to loan forgiveness.
The application, together with the PPP Loan Forgiveness Calculation Form and PPP Schedule (Schedule A) must be submitted to the lender servicing the loan. A PPP Borrower Demographic Information Form may also be completed at the borrower’s option. The application may be submitted to the lender electronically.
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Rhyme Time Class of 2020 Announced
Rhyme announced the recipients of the 2020 Jack Steinhoff & Steve Ennis Memorial Scholarship, with Divya VanPietersom and Logan Carlson of Portage High School among them! This year, $13,000 was awarded to 11 recipients. To date, Rhyme has awarded 60 scholarships.
The 11 students were hand selected based on their applications and letter of how cancer has affected their lives in some way. Each individual submitted inspiring, real stories. Rhyme congratulates the Rhyme Time Scholarship Class of 2020 and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors!
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New Life Physical Therapy drive thru pain relief
Here at New Life, we're committed to helping our community get through these challenging times, so we're going to try something new! Stop by the Portage or Baraboo clinic for a 10-minute pain relief consultation from the comfort of your car. Our therapists will come out to you, get an understanding of the pain issues you've been having and discuss your options.
The best part? The cost is a few non-perishable food items (or cash donation) that will go directly the food pantries at St. Vincent de Paul in Portage & Baraboo.
Help yourself, help your community. No doctor referral or appointment needed. Just stop by from 11am-1pm on Tuesday, June 2 and Wednesday, June 3. New Life Physical Therapy Services & Sports Medicine is located at 2639 New Pinery Road, Suite 2 in Portage. For more information, call 608-742-9356.
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We're All In Small Business Grant program
The We’re All In Small Business Grant program is designed to help small businesses get back on their feet as they re-emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and Safer at Home, while also encouraging adoption of best practices to keep employees, customers and communities safe.
Funded by the federal CARES Act, the We’re All In Small Business Grant will provide $2,500 to 30,000 Wisconsin small businesses to assist with the costs of business interruption or for health and safety improvements, wages and salaries, rent, mortgages and inventory.
To be eligible, businesses must:
• be a Wisconsin-based, for-profit business;
• employ 20 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, including the owner;
• earn greater than $0 but less than $1 million in annual revenues; and
• have been in business in February 2020.
The online grant application will be accessible for one week from 8 a.m. Monday, June 15, through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, June 21.
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News from Portage Center for the Arts
Portage Center for the Arts (PCA) has
reimagined the Zona Gale Young People's Theatre (ZGYPT) summer programming for ages 3 to 18. Continue to experience theatre magic online this summer!
Register here
.
For PCA season ticket holders, and those who had purchased in advance, please hang on to your March and April event tickets! Rescheduling will take place once the theatre reopens!
Art That Blooms Going Virtual
Enjoy this annual exhibit in a new format! Artwork and poetry will be shared virtually on the PCA
website
and facebook page beginning in June!
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Portage Chamber and City of Portage look to COVID-19 Relief Loan Fund
The Portage Chamber and the City of Portage are in discussions on changing the current facade loan program into a COVID-19 Relief Loan. Details are still being worked out, so we ask you to stay tuned in the next month as we work out the guidelines. Please contact the Chamber at 742-6242 for the details.
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2020 Columbia County Fair canceled
The Columbia County Fair has been canceled, with a press release that reads in part: "After contact and consultation with the City of Portage and the Columbia County Health and Human Services department, the fair board of directors met to discuss the future of the 2020 Columbia County Fair. After consideration of the health, financial and societal issues surrounding the Covid-19 Global Pandemic, it is with an extreme deal of sadness and regret that the difficult decision to cancel the Columbia County Fair scheduled for July 22-26, 2020 was made."
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Spread the word about Portage!
Use #portagewi in your social media posts.
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Check out the Chamber's YouTube Channel
HERE
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Job postings on portagewi.com
Check out these
job postings
on our Chamber site from our member businesses. You are welcome to post job openings your business may have at any time. Call the Chamber office at 608-742-6242 for more information.
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Want to submit an article for this newsletter?
The Chamber's monthly newsletter deadlines the 20th of the month. Members are always welcome to let others know: about new products and services; introduce new associates or promotions; provide updates about their industry or business; give helpful tips; promote a sale or event. For more information, call the Portage Chamber at 608-742-6242.
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Text PACC to 51660
to receive information about upcoming Chamber events
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Text PORTAGE to 51660
to receive information about upcoming Portage events
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Join a Service Club -
Meetings subject to change
Rotary
- Meets Mondays at Noon at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd.
Lions Club
- Meets the 2
nd
Wednesday of the month at 5:30pm at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd., summer month meetings change locations
Kiwanis
- Meets on Wednesdays at Noon at Pizza Ranch, 2905 New Pinery Rd.
Optimists
- Meets on Tuesdays at 7am at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd.
Elks
- Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday at 7pm; 4th Tuesday only during July and August
Women's Civic League
- Meets 2nd Wednesdays of the month at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd.
Wauona Trail Women's Club
- Meets 3rd Monday of the month at 11:30am at Dino's Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd. (Sept-May)
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June Chamber Meetings & Events
2 Virtual Business Luncheon 11:30am
27 Festival Foods Fireworks Celebration - New Location TBA
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