In The Know
The Weekly Newsletter of
The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce
Friday, November 13, 2020
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Please click below to view the November 12th press conference
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Seven Zoom Meeting Tips Every User Should Know!
From Simpletivity: "Zoom video conferencing is the most popular online meeting app in the world. But do you know how to get the most out of Zoom while you work remotely or from home? In this video, Scott Friesen shows you his favorite tips from keyboard shortcuts to advanced sharing techniques. Get ready to become the master of Zoom meetings! "
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Applications Still Open: Don't Miss This Opportunity |
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Applications are steadily coming in for the county's Covid-19 Emergency Relief Grant Program that was launched this past Monday. The process, so far, has been seen as simple and efficient. One Chamber member business, a sole proprietor, commented, "It was easier than I thought it would be. I used my checking account statements to show my expenses and just downloaded them from my online banking site to attach them to the application." The Chamber has received many phone calls and emails with basic questions and also requests to have hard copy grant application packets sent via mail as well. Grant information and applications may be picked up at the Chamber offices and the Jefferson County Auditor's office, located on the 4th floor of the courthouse. Chamber members may scan or copy documents, free of charge, at the Chamber during their regular business hours.
Businesses with no more than 25 employees and an annual 2019 revenue that does not exceed $2 million, are encouraged to apply. And non-profits with a 501(C)(3), (4), (8) or (10) status, may also be eligible.
The basic for-profit guidelines are listed below. Click on "Grant Guidelines" to read the complete eligibility requirements and to read non-profit eligibility criteria.
- The business must operate for profit. (Businesses that are for-profit generally file an IRS Form 1040 with a schedule C, 1040-SR with a Schedule C, 1065, 1120, or 1120-S).
- 2019 Revenue not to exceed $2,000,000
- The business may be a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation (both S and C), professional association, limited liability company, or limited partnership. If a corporation, professional association, limited liability company, or limited partnership the business must be registered with the Ohio Secretary of State to do business in the State of Ohio. If a sole proprietorship, the business shall provide documentation of its existence as a business, including, but not limited to income tax returns for the business, trade name registrations, business banking or credit accounts, or similar documents. If a partnership, the business shall either be registered with the Ohio Secretary of State to do business in the State of Ohio, or, if not registered, shall provide documentation similar to that required for a sole proprietorship.
- The business or headquarters for the business must be located within Jefferson County. The business must have a physical location in Jefferson County.
- The business must have been in operation 12 months prior to launch of the grant program (for this purpose that is considered to be October 1, 2019), which at a minimum, may be evidenced by a filing on or before that time, of documents with the Ohio Secretary of State incorporating or organizing the business or evidencing operation of the business prior to that time.
- The business must not be permanently closed and must intend to continue its business operations following the Covid-19 pandemic.
- To be eligible for a grant in an amount up to $10,000, the business must employ no more than 25 full time employees (FTE). FTE’s for the purpose of this grant will be counted as one FTE per full time employee and one-half FTE per part time employee. For purposes of this criteria, “employee” shall mean an individual who (i) is employed as an employee who regularly works at least 20 hours per week and who is provided an IRS Form W-2 at the end of each calendar year, (ii) is independently contracted with the business, regularly works at least 20 hours per week and who receives an IRS Form 1099 at the end of each calendar year, or (iii) the principal owner(s) of the business, the sole proprietor, or partners, whichever is applicable, provided, however, that the principal owner(s) of the business, the sole proprietor, or partners need not be included in the number of employees if it would cause the business to exceed the maximum number of individuals employed.
- The business must not be in receivership or bankruptcy.
- The business must be current on all Jefferson County property tax obligations. All businesses will be required to provide the businesses’ federal employer identification number, or, if the business does not have a federal employer identification number, the social security number under which the business operates.
- The business must be the primary source of income for business owners with less than 2 FTE’s
- The business shall not be one of the following, regardless of its general eligibility under subsection (A) above:
Any business operating as an entertainment device or skill game arcade.
Any business operating as a sexually oriented business as that term is defined in Section
2907.40 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Any business that primarily sells tobacco products, cigarettes, electronic smoking devices, or
vapor products as those terms are defined in Section 2927.02 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Any financial institution that makes loans or issues credit to the public, including, but not
limited to, banks, credit unions, payday lenders, or other similar business.
Any pass through entities or real estate holding companies.
- Approval and dollar amount will be determined based on eligibility requirements being met and other information provided on the application. Grant monies awarded must be used in accordance with both state guidelines and those outlined in the grant agreement.
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Ohio Small Business Relief Grant &
Assistance For Liquor Permit Holders
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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine recently announced the approval of $125 million in funding received by the State of Ohio from the federal CARES Act to provide grants of up to $10,000 to small businesses to help them through the current COVID crisis. The program began accepting applications on Monday, November 2, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. Please click here for an overview page and fact sheet and click here for a more detailed outline of the grant - scroll down to click on "Terms & Conditions" to view more. Click here to apply or to check on an existing application.
The Chamber is partnering with the Brooke Hancock Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission and the Jefferson County Port Authority to not only spread the word about this new program but also to ensure that our local businesses have the help they need to submit their application accurately and on time. You may access the online application at www.businesshelp.ohio.gov. Please note that in order to access the application, you are required to have an "OH/ID" which provides users with secure access to State of Ohio services. If you do not have one and wish to obtain one, click here. If you already have an Ohio Sales Tax Payment login ID, you may use it. Money will be allocated to all 88 counties but is distributed on a first-come, first-served, basis.
In addition, the "Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund" has also been set up to assist Ohio’s on-premise liquor permit holders with $37.5 million of funding to provide $2,500 grants to all on-premise liquor permit holders. Click here for details on this program. You may qualify for both programs. Accepting the $10,000 grant does not exclude you from the additional $2,500. These applications also opened on Monday, November 2, 2020, at 10:00 a.m., and the deadline is November 23rd.
If you would like assistance in completing the application, please contact Craig Brown, Community Development Specialist with Brooke Hancock Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission at cbrown@bhjmpc.org or 740.282.3685, Ext. 204.
If you have additional questions, please send a message to SmallBizRelief@Development.Ohio.gov or call 833.249.6446. And as always, if the Chamber can assist you, please reach out to an email address at the bottom of In The Know or by phone at 740.282.6226.
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Need Assistance With Covid-Related, Financial Or Accounting Issues?
Utilize our Chamber Member SBA Approved Lenders, Financial Planners & Accountants
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Litter Prevention & Market Development Grants
From The Ohio EPA
1.) Community & Litter Grant
Does your community want to expand or start a recycling program? Is your nonprofit looking to compost food waste? Are you looking to organize a community litter clean-up event? Ohio EPA has funds available. Local governments and nonprofits can receive funding to purchase equipment for the collection and processing of recyclables, construction, and demolition debris. These organizations can also receive funding to implement litter collection events, outreach, and education. Tire amnesty programs, with a minimum $0.50/tire collection fee, are an eligible activity for local governments. Grantees have 12 months to complete the project.
January 7th, 2021 (10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.)
Presenters: Recycling & Litter Prevention Grant Program,
Ohio EPA’s Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance
Description: These webinars will highlight Ohio EPA’s 2021 Recycling & Litter Prevention Grant application process and those activities targeted by this grant program. The webinars will focus on how this competitive grant program provides opportunities for local governments, schools, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to establish and implement recycling & litter prevention programs, recycling market development for manufacturers, expansion of recycling equipment and processing facilities, and recycling infrastructure improvements. The deadline for this online submittal is Feb. 5, 2021 at 3:00pm (EST). Click here to register.
2.) Market Development Grant
Need money for a cardboard baler, recycled-plastic pelletizer or to expand food waste composting efforts? Ohio EPA has funds available. This grant provides businesses (e.g. manufacturers, recyclers, material processors, etc.) opportunities to create or expand recycling processing capacity and recycled material production. This includes funding for equipment specifically needed to remanufacture recyclable materials into bulk raw material or finished product. This grant requires the business to have a government sponsor. Grant funds are reimbursed only after project completion through the government sponsor. Grantees have 24 months to complete the project.
January 7th, 2021 (10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.)
Presenters: Recycling & Litter Prevention Grant Program, Ohio EPA’s Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance
Description: These webinars will highlight Ohio EPA’s 2021 Recycling & Litter Prevention Grant application process and those activities targeted by this grant program. The webinars will focus on how this competitive grant program provides opportunities for local governments, schools, businesses and nonprofit organizations to establish and implement recycling & litter prevention programs, recycling market development for manufacturers, expansion of recycling equipment and processing facilities and recycling infrastructure improvements. The deadline for this online submittal is Feb. 5, 2021 at 3:00pm (EST). Click here to register.
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The Chamber Job Bank: Check Out Our Latest Job Openings |
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The Chamber would like to thank 106.3 The River for their support of Project Workforce. They have graciously done announcements of our local businesses' job openings on-air at no charge for the past few months. Hats off to Cindy, Mary Lou, Joey and the entire 106.3 crew.
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CONTINUE TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL EATERIES, BREW PUBS, BAKERIES, AND WINERIES.
As the Ohio Valley continues to reopen safely, remember to continue supporting our local, Chamber member food businesses. They are working hard to adapt to your needs and come back from months of restrictions and limitations. Click here for the latest issue of "Let's Eat!"
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Member Morsels
Member Morsels are free and an easy, fast way to reach hundreds each week. It reaches the entire Chamber database each Friday - that's over 850 local business owners, managers, and employees.
Remember to visit individual member websites by clicking on the business name or logo. Submit your Member Morsel by clicking the button below.
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Gary W. Cain Realty & Auctioneers, LLC, has an exciting auction coming up on Saturday, November 21st, that you don't want to miss. The former Carpet City building in Wintersville features a 9,100 sq. ft. warehouse that’s set on a ¾ acre lot only 30 minutes from Pittsburgh International Airport. The Building consists of an open warehouse with offices and an apartment, and it sits off of a high traffic-count road. It also has a new roof and sky lights.
This building is large enough to be utilized for many uses. Personal property auction begins at 10 a.m.
Personal Property@ 10:00 A.M.
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Franciscan University is proud to announce the opening of the Franciscan Square Community Ice Skating Rink!
Area residents will no longer need to travel to Pittsburgh or Wheeling to ice skate. Located in Steubenville on the green space at Franciscan Square (in front of the Best Western Inn at Franciscan Square), the rink will welcome guests to ice skate Wednesday through Sunday afternoons and evenings beginning on November 20th and ending on February 14th. Admission will be $6.00 per person, children or adults, with skates available to rent for $4.00.
This project came together quickly after being introduced to Franciscan University just two weeks ago. We are grateful to our title sponsors, Trinity Health System, The Inn & Suites at Franciscan Square, and Franciscan University of Steubenville for being the financial catalysts for the project. However, with an outside entity doing most of the installation and all of the daily operation, there are still more costs to cover. While the initial response from community partners has been very good, more help is needed. We invite the entire community to help support this project. Attached is a sponsorship form detailing various levels of contribution and recognition. We will be grateful for any support that you are able to offer.
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The Ohio State University Jefferson County Extension Office has face masks that they would like to donate to any business, non-profit or organization that is in need of them. They are white, cloth masks covered with an antimicrobial solution. They are designed to be odor-resistant and to help prevent the growth of bacteria on the surface of the fabric. Virus and bacteria are a threat on soft surfaces like fabric masks, but antimicrobial masks help eliminate cross contamination. Each mask is good for up to 15 washes. Please contact Angie Allison at the Extension Office at Allison.325@osu.edu or by phone at 740.264.2212 if you are interested in receiving some for your organization.
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The Chamber's Podcast series, "In Good Company," continues to grow. Check out the first two episodes on the Chamber's YouTube page below, along with lots of other fun videos and clips. In the coming weeks, the podcast series will be available to listen to on your iPhone, tablet, or in your car. Watch your Chamber emails and In The Know for updates.
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Around the State. Around the Country.
Up-to-Date Information from the Ohio and United States Chamber of Commerce
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Business Fairness Act
Clears Committee
Today, Amended House Bill 621, also known as the Business Fairness Act, passed out of the Ohio House State and Local Government Committee. The Ohio Small Business Council lent their support to this measure during the committee process.
This serves as the next step in the legislative process towards providing clarity and a straight-forward process for businesses in the state of Ohio during future times of crisis. Am. HB 621 will allow any business – to remain open or reopen – that can demonstrate compliance with any safety precautions a government order or regulation requires of businesses permitted to continue operations.
The approach laid out in Am. HB 621 sets up an easy to understand process and allows for business owners to demonstrate that they can operate safely without putting their employees or customers alike in harm’s way.
Read the article in its entirety by clicking here.
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The SEC’s Final Proxy Advisor Rule Brings Greater Transparency, Oversight and Clarity to Investors and Should Not be Vacated
In July of this year, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) finalized its Proxy Advisor rule, which marked an important step in making the corporate governance landscape more hospitable for public companies. For decades, the U.S. has seen a decline in the number of public companies, which has had an adverse impact on growth, innovation, and job creation. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has been committed to reversing this trend by fighting for responsible corporate governance policies that focus on economic return and benefit the long-term position of shareholders.
The SEC’s Proxy Advisor rule is a key component of reversing that trend. For too long, proxy advisory firms have been allowed to frustrate public companies with factual mistakes, methodological weakness in devising recommendations, conflicts of interest in those recommendations, and a lack of transparency in assumptions, sources, and analyses.
Read the article in its entirety by clicking here.
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The Library Link
Great Books About Business With Just A Click
Please Note: The Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County is open for curbside service. Visit www.steubenvillelibrary.org to order books, then call your library branch to schedule an appointment to pick up your library items. Library branch contact information and operating hours are available by clicking here on this link from the website.
Your link to success begins at the library. With each week of "In The Know,"
you to a business book or magazine that will inspire, teach, inform, or elevate you, professionally and personally. This week:
Honest to Greatness
by Peter Kozodoy
In today's hyper-transparent world, consumers have enormous power to decide which brands are worth their time and money--and their decision involves far more than product quality alone.
Most businesses are still struggling to adapt as they continue to follow archaic, detrimental business practices. Meanwhile, as both shoppers and employees, the rising Millennial generation is making their stance perfectly clear: They are not interested in supporting organizations that seem inauthentic, soulless, or dishonest.
If you want to build an industry-dominating business in today's market, honesty isn't just an important core value. It's the #1 business strategy you'll need.
In Honest to Greatness, serial Inc. 5000 entrepreneur Peter Kozodoy. shows how today's greatest business leaders embrace honesty in order to achieve game-changing success.
View this resource by clicking here.
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Today in History
Vietnam Veterans Memorial dedicated
- November 13, 1982 -
From History.com: Near the end of a weeklong national salute to Americans who served in the Vietnam War, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is dedicated in Washington, D.C. after a march to its site by thousands of veterans of the conflict. The long-awaited memorial was a simple V-shaped black-granite wall inscribed with the names of the 57,939 Americans who died in the conflict, arranged in order of death, not rank, as was common in other memorials.
The designer of the memorial was Maya Lin, a Yale University architecture student who entered a nationwide competition to create a design for the monument. Lin, born in Ohio in 1959, was the daughter of Chinese immigrants. Many veterans’ groups were opposed to Lin’s winning design, which lacked a standard memorial’s heroic statues and stirring words. However, a remarkable shift in public opinion occurred in the months after the memorial’s dedication. Veterans and families of the dead walked the black reflective wall, seeking the names of their loved ones killed in the conflict. Once the name was located, visitors often made an etching or left a private offering, from notes and flowers to dog tags and cans of beer.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial soon became one of the most visited memorials in the nation’s capital. A Smithsonian Institution director called it “a community of feelings, almost a sacred precinct,” and a veteran declared that “it’s the parade we never got.” “The Wall” drew together both those who fought and those who marched against the war and served to promote national healing a decade after the divisive conflict’s end.
For more events that took place on
November 13th, please click here.
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-709,000-
"New US jobless claims for the week that ended Saturday totaled 709,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. The reading came in below the consensus economist estimate of 731,000, and showed a decrease from the previous week's revised figure. Continuing claims, which track Americans receiving unemployment benefits, dropped to 6.8 million for the week that ended October 31. That was also slightly below economist estimates."
Source and Graphic:
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Questions about Oil & Gas?
These non-profit organizations are here to help you stay up-to-date on the oil and gas industry in Jefferson County:
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Get The Information You Need - The Chamber Staff Is Here To Help |
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Hannah Ward
Administrative Assistant
Contact Hannah with changes to your membership information, questions regarding events or programs, or assistance with scheduling an Eblast or Member Morsel.
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Tricia Maple-Damewood
President
Contact Tricia with suggestions, input or feedback on member programming, how to get involved on a committee or special project or with questions related to Chamber membership.
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Craig Cribbs, Reso, Inc.
Billing Support
740-275-4940
Contact Craig with invoice or billing questions and to make a dues, event or sponsorship payment.
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Contact Us
The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce
630 Market Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
Phone: 740.282.6226
Fax: 740.282.6285
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