A PROACTIVE RESPONSE
TO THE CORONAVIRUS IMPACT

PAULS VALLEY STRONG

FROM YOUR PAULS VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Picking Up and Carrying On

All of us have had to initially be reactive to the Coronavirus scare – and rightly so. But now’s the time to be proactive and take steps and make plans that will undergird our strength and our spirit as a community. While even our own office is temporarily closed, we are working daily to represent and support the businesses and organizations of Pauls Valley. 

This email is part of our efforts to offer our Chamber members good resources and encouragement during this period. Please look through this and future Chamber emails and use or share what is useful to you. 

We wish you the very best as you navigate the changes that have already or will occur. 
Sharing Your News in This Time of Crisis
We are considering ways to help you get important information out to people in Pauls Valley and Garvin County about your operations, closures, special hours, health-related procedures and any special emphasis you want to promote. This could either go on our web page or on a Facebook page and be updated weekly for as long as the epidemic curtails the way we operate our business operations until we get back to “normal.”

This could be a vital source of info for customers and patrons since no other local entity that we know of is offering this and customers must contact each individual business for operational news.
Watch for this
campaign's roll-out!
Ways to Do Business Creatively:
  • Keep communication lines open, whether or not you keep your doors open.
  • Encourage more purchases of gift cards and certificates.
  • If a restaurant, promote "to-go” orders. 
  • Create interesting sales deals and promotions.
  • Assure customers that you and your staff are following health procedures. Note that neither employee nor customer should be in public if exhibiting symptoms of this virus.
  • Plan strategically. While your operations may be greatly curtailed now, think about how you can maximize not-too-distant opportunities like graduation, the approaching summer season, Brickfest and Labor Day.
  • Keep the Chamber informed. We are considering gathering and collecting pertinent info about your curtailed business details for the general public.
  • Stay community-minded. This type of crisis can impact other parts of the business community that can directly or indirectly affect yours. We’re stronger together. Let’s focus on having zero failed businesses.
Help from the Small Business Administration:

The Coronovirus outbreak may be affecting your business through market disturbance, disruption of your supply chain, export issues, travel limitations or sick employees. Whatever the issue, our team of trained advisors are prepared to help your business survive and thrive through any kind of disruption from natural disasters to infrastructure failures to pandemics. [See info on loans below.] We can help you think through prevention and recovery plans in the case of disruptions that threaten your business continuity. Contact your Oklahoma SBDC advisor or call 580-745-2877 for assistance.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan

The SBA is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Oklahoma small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the impact of COVID-19. Various restrictions apply. See contact number above or start by reporting your situation here:
Other Useful Links
'Oklahoma Needs Us Right Now'
“COVID-19 is more than just a health issue for our state right now. Concerns about this illness will most likely have a huge impact on our Oklahoma economy. The citizens of Oklahoma are depending on us involved in economic development to keep working every day to create an environment where economic growth can happen…no matter what is happening in the rest of the world. Their employment and their ability to provide for their families are dependent upon us working with their current and future employers to continue hiring people in our state. Oklahoma needs us right now, so I would encourage you to stay in the game.”
-- Brent Kisling, Director.
Oklahoma Department of Commerce