The Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Services is here to help you as we face the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis together. Please reach out to us with any questions or needs that you may have. Our main concern is helping our members and all Seneca County businesses get through this crisis. We are posting all pertinent information and links to tiffinchamber.com as we receive them. See Coronavirus Resources on our home page. 
Please contact me at 419-447-4141 or e-mail dmartorana@tiffinchamber.com, if you have any questions or needs that we can help with.
Webinar: New CARES Act Programs for Business (SBA)
Tuesday, April 7, 2020 - 2:00 pm
Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership and the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce – together with other economic development organizations from the area – have invited the SBA’s Ray Graves to talk about the new business programs in the CARES Act on Tuesday, April 7 at 2:00 pm.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has been signed into law. This Act provides additional assistance for small business owners through the US Small Business Administration (SBA). Emergency Economic Injury Grants can provide up to a $10,000 Advance (which does not have to be repaid) on the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) for emergency capital. It also includes the Paycheck Protection Loan Program, which offers forgiveness of up to 8 weeks of payroll based on employee retention and salary levels, no SBA fees, and at least six months of deferral with maximum deferrals of up to a year.
Easter Challenge
This Sunday is Easter. The thought of not being able to spend the day with family is depressing and extremely frustrating. Typically, we go to the early mass and then hurry home to start finishing preparations for Easter dinner, both sides of our family come around noon. Everyone looks forward to seeing each other and the kids enjoy an Easter egg hunt. Many of you celebrate Easter in a similar way, so I am sure that most of you are facing the same feelings. I want to challenge you to stay positive and to put a smile on your face when you call everyone that you would normally welcome into your home. We will be having some conference calls, these are not as good as being there but we are making lemonade because we have to at this time. Let your family know that while they may not be in your home, they are always in your heart!
Happy Easter!
Member Updates & At Home Activity Ideas
Chamber members should take some time to update their content on our membership directory. Please add your hours and let your customers know what you are doing as we go through this crisis together.
Several of our members have ideas for things that can be done at home and some are creating family project kits. We have ask that members post them under their content.
We are going to add a new page to our website listing these ideas. Members must send an e-mail to dmartorana@tiffinchamber.com after they have added their ideas to the directory.
Ohio's Primary Election

Governor DeWine signed a bill saying we will Only Vote by Mail. Everyone will use an absentee ballot. You must request this from the Seneca County Board of Elections :
Voters can obtain absentee ballots three ways:
1. Download and print off this Absentee Ballot Application and mail to the Board of Election’s office.
2. Email a request for Absentee Application, include your name, mailing address, contact information and number of applications needed to  seneca@OhioSoS.gov
3 If you do not have access to print off the application below or email, please call us at 419-447-4424 and leave a detailed message to request an application be mailed to you.

Absentee Ballot Applications can be returned to:
Seneca County Board of Elections
71 S. Washington St.
Suite 1101
Tiffin, OH 44883

Vote by mail ballots must be requested by April 25, 2020 and returned by April 28, 2020 .
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

 Request from the Governor :
Governor DeWine is asking Ohio Industries to help Ohio get the necessary equipment to help our healthcare providers. The website: RepurposingProject.com  contains a complete of items that he is asking all industries in Ohio to see if they can produce. Please look at this site to see if your business can switch gears and provide some of the needed supplies.

There is more information everyday on the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The links below will help you stay informed. T-SEP has created a page Business Resources for Coronavirus; they will continue to keep it updated as new resources become available. They also have a survey: Tiffin-Seneca / Local Business Helping Local Business Survey Please take time to complete the survey.
Click here for a list of other resources including those listed below.

Employers: for information on Shared Work Ohio click here. Visit Ohio Department of Jobs & Family Services for unemployment help for your employees. For anyone that prefers phone: 877-644-6562 or TTY at 888-642-8203, Monday through Friday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Another Resource from the US Dept. of Labor: dol.gov/coronavirus

Governor DeWine is holding daily press briefings at 2:00 p.m. to deliver the most recent updates as well as give updated guidance for the state’s response. These press events are carried live at  OhioChannel.org .

Seneca County Health Dept. Commissioner Beth Schweitzer is hosting a live video conference on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:30 am. This conference can be seen live on the Seneca County General Health District and Seneca County Commissioner s Facebook pages. Questions should be addressed to Jimmy Flint, Seneca County Public Relations Coordinator at jflint@senecacountyohio.gov .  The videos will be posted to the Seneca County Commissioners YouTube video page when finished.

 FOR MORE INFORMATION:
  ONLINE :  Please visit  Coronavirus.Ohio.gov  for the most up-to-date information from the Ohio Department of Health.     
PHONE :  For any questions you have about COVID-19, please call 1-833-427-5634 from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m (7 days/week).

There is a lot of information being sent about COVID-19 and you are probably being slammed with e-mails. We hope to continue with one e-mail per week and ask that you visit tiffinchamber.com and look for updates at Coronavirus Resources . Please take appropriate measures to stay safe!
Seneca County Ohio’s Local Dining Guide During COVID-19 Shutdown. Use this resource to find carry-out and delivery options available and hours for each. It will be updated daily as options change. This guide is brought to you as a special partnership between Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce/Destination Seneca County and  Spire Advertising .
Please be extra cautious of emails and websites at this time. For more information or to report a scam: bbb.org .
What is there to do?
The last E-Blast challenged everyone to make a list of things that can be done alone or with those in your home. Hopefully, that list is long and is filled with fun activities. Parents make sure your kids (all ages) know that social distancing applies to them and their friends. It really should be called physical distancing because that is what it really means staying at least 6' apart when outside or in a work environment. So why is playing catch with a neighbor not allowed when they are even further apart? This is an opportunity for you to explain about the transfer of germs when an object is shared. The explanation is an extra science lesson for the day.
Now about that social time that we all need, there are many ways to communicate with others: phone, Facebook, conference calls, video calls, skype, instant messaging & more. Make sure your younger children have the opportunity to call their friends, let them say hi and what they are doing. This gives you a chance to connect with their parents, share ideas of things to do. Encourage your kids to reach out to their grandparents and other older relatives; it could be the highlight of their day. If you do not have any older relatives, consider contacting a local nursing home and ask to adopt a resident that would appreciate someone to talk to.
Some of our members have some kits and ideas for things that can be done at home. We are asking them to post them on our website in their content section.

Visit tiffinsenecalibrary.org to check out an eBook, movie and more.
And Save the Date For:
Friday, May 15
Ambassador Meeting
Noon
Community Room, 19 W. Market St., Ste. B, Tiffin.

Tuesday, May 19
SCHRA Meeting
11:30 am.  Details
Camden Falls, 2460 S SR 231, Tiffin.

 Tuesday, May 26
Tiffin Area Safety Council Meeting
11:30 am.  Details .
Camden Falls, 2460 S SR 231, Tiffin.


Chamber Challenge is June 11, 2020.
Casino Royale is Saturday, February 13, 2021.
Chamber Cash

Chamber Cash is our local gift certificate program—perfect for giving to everyone on your list! Comes in $5, $10, $25, or $50! Chamber Cash is sold year round. Please e-mail or call ahead with your order. A list of participating merchants are included with every order.

Shop Local


Use your Member to Member Benefit Offers to save year round!


Please visit our website to see a complete list of Member to Member Benefits!*

*The coupon page is ready to go! Please read the New Website Perks in the April Newsletter for instructions. Employers will have to send a link to their employees. Members if you need your password or have any questions send an e-mail to dmartorana@tiffinchamber.com or call Deb at 419-447-4141.
:: Chamber Perks ::
Member to Member Benefits

Here is just one of the many offers available to Chamber members and their employees.

Hempy Water *
Multiple Offers
Education
Town & Gown Tuition Discount Plan
Discount from Heidelberg University & Tiffin University


Business Benefits
Insurance