Dear Chamber Member:
Some sort of normality, we all crave it. To that end, we will begin to bring back some of our regular programs. Maybe not in the traditional way, but we will be able to gather (via virtually) on Zoom and still conduct some business and feel the continued support of our fellow business people.
The Chamber's Welcome Center may not be open but that doesn't mean your Chamber is closed. We continue to work hard to promote the benefits of "Go Local", update you on the CARES Act and bring you opportunities. If you have questions, comments or just want to talk our phone number is (910) 457-6964.
This Monday, April 6th at 4pm we will hold a conference meeting on Zoom with Congressman David Rouzer, U.S. Representative for NC's 7th Congressional District and Allison Dembeck, Executive Director of the Congressional Public Affairs. They will be discussing the CARES Act. Please make sure to
join us. If you have questions, please email them before 10am on Monday to
karen@southport-oakisland.com During the meeting you will be able to submit questions via the Chat.
Please let us know how we can assist you! Stay healthy.
Warmest Regards,
Karen Sphar
Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce
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FREE list of local businesses who are able to sell gift cards online. Thank you to the
Star News for sharing this link. We spoke to Ken at
Hippie Chick Granola and he is really happy they did this and said it didn't cost them anything. FREE is GOOD!
Sign up your business today! Click the Add a Business
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Don't Miss Out on Any Member Benefits
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US Chamber Talks About CARES ACT With Our Members
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Join us on Zoom this
Monday, April 6th at 4pm as Congressman
David Rouzer, U.S. Representative for NC's 7th Congressional District and
Allison Dembeck, Executive Director of the Congressional & Public Affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will discuss the CARES Act and what it means for the business community.
The focus of Ms. Dembeck's office at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is education, labor and workforce development issues.
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Business Connections Weekly on Zoom
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We miss you! Please join us each Tuesday, beginning at 12noon on Zoom from now until the restrictions are lifted. We have scheduled Zoom meetings out to June but please don't let the schedule scare you - we do not know anything outside the April 30th order.
The Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce is inviting you a Zoom Meeting. It is very easy to join:
- Downloading the mobile app in your Apple or Android Store.
- Use your PC (must have camera and microphone).
- Use the One tap on your mobile phone dial the one of the US numbers listed below.
You do not need an account just insert the meeting id and password to join the meeting. Enable your audio and video. You will automatically be muted when you join the meeting. We will unmute everyone at the beginning of the meeting but please mute your phone unless you are speaking so that we don't get a lot of feedback and extra noise.
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Join us via Zoom on April 21st at 8am for Coffee with the Girls
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The Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce monthly Coffee with the Girls will be held via Zoom meeting.
Topic: Coffee with the Girls
Time: Apr 21, 2020 08:00 AM
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Business Networking After Hours
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Therefore, we will not be holding our traditional Business Networking After Hours on April 23rd.
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Let us get the word out if your business - shop, service or restaurant has an online cart. That is can someone purchase through your website products, services or food/drink from your website? If so, let us know.
We are compiling a list of members with online "storefronts".
Email us your Business Name and a link to your website:
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Small Business & Non-Profit of the Year Nominations 4/30 Deadline
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The Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce will accept nominations for its annual Small Business and Non Profit of the Year Award until April 30th. Anyone can nominate a local non profit organization or Small Business to compete for this award. The Chamber will also award a Customer Service of the Year. Any business who received a Golden Pineapple during the last four quarters will be eligible.
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Big Crowd at Coastal Consumer Show
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The 2020 Coastal Consumer Showcase drew a large crowd as an estimated 500 people attended the annual event held at the St. James Community Center
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60 businesses were available to answer questions about the products and services they provide to our Southport-Oak Island Area residents daily. Residents and visitors who attended the show were encouraged to register for a chance to win $100 and numerous prizes in the Pick-A-Prize Auction. Joanne Thompson of Southport was the lucky winner of the $100 cash prize.
“We are already looking forward to the 2021 Coastal Consumer Showcase will be held on March 4
th
from 4pm-7pm at the St. James Community Building” said Karen Sphar, Executive Vice President of the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce.
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The Pearl Opens in Downtown Southport
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In March, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at
The Pearl,
114 N. Howe Street in Downtown Southport. Owner Sylvia Liedtke-Ognan expressed her appreciation by saying she “is happy to be a new business owner and glad for lots of support in the store during the Grand Opening.” The Pearl specializes in home decor, apparel, jewelry, handmade goods and more.
Formerly known as Deborah’s Place, 114 N. Howe Street instantly found a special place in Sylvia’s heart. When the opportunity to purchase the shop arose, she couldn’t think of a single reason to say no.
Now the current owner and operator of the store, Sylvia has brought a bright and modern New York spin to The Pearl. She has included work from several Hudson Valley artisans along with the handcrafted goods that the Southport community has grown to know and love.
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28 Students at South Recognized for Work Ethic
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Twenty-eight students at South Brunswick Middle School were honored for being “Good Neighbors” in their school and in their communities (photo taken prior to 6' social distancing order). Honorees, along with their parents, were invited to attend the award ceremony which took place in the school’s media center. Breakfast was shared while South Brunswick Middle School Principal David Ruth and guest speaker, Jeff Moss, College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk & Moving, shared what makes a good neighbor and why it is important. Moss offered, “See yourselves as leaders, bring your gifts to bear. When you look in the mirror, see someone unique and valuable. Do the right thing. Don’t do anything in the first 20 years of your life that will negatively impact the next 60 years of it.”
Teachers then presented students with their awards while sharing briefly why the student was chosen to be honored.
The Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with South Brunswick Middle School, holds the breakfast twice during each school year. Organizers would like to thank their sponsors of the event: Dosher Memorial Hospital and Tropical Smoothie Cafe.
Students recognized were: Lauren Beheler, Noah Bradshaw, Piper Brown, Jayden Buckhanan, Anna Edwards, Alivia Fernandes, Addison Fitzhugh, Brenley Hoagland, Timothy Hudson, Ty Lavezzo, Garrett Locklear, Jackson McLaughlin, Payton Morris, Claudia Pettibone, Lillian Prendergast, Loretta Pryor, O’Zaria Pryor, Carter Rarick, Lizbeth Rayo-Vera, Dylan Russ, Lyon Shultz, Gavin Simmons, Brayden Snow, Laney Soles, Bella Stephenson, Stevie Varley, Alejandra Villagran Duran, Isabella Wood.
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Golden Pineapple Nominations 4/30 Deadline
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There are so many of our members providing excellent customer service during this COVID-19 pandemic. Take the time to nominate one!
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Oak Island Lighthouse Run Moved to November 14th
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These are trying times for our nation and the world as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On March 15th, the CDC released new guidelines for the next 8 weeks, it stated that all events over 100 people should be cancelled. Since then Governor Roy Cooper has issued at Stay At Home order until April 29th. The Oak Island Lighthouse Run, an event of the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce, has discussed options for our participants with our timing company – Go Time.
We also appreciate your race loyalty as many of you have participated, sponsored or volunteered with us for many years. After much deliberation, we decided the best solution would be to postpone, rather than cancel the Oak Island Lighthouse Run/Walk. Our new date is
Saturday, November 14, 2020.
This was a very difficult decision. We hope you will join us in November. The weather is mild and the fall sunsets/sunrises at Oak Island are amazing.
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SCORE Webinar -
Marketing Strategies for Cape Fear Restaurants during the Coronavirus Crisis
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SCORE Cape Fear has a three upcoming webinars in April.
There is one specifically for restaurants on April 8th from 10am-11am. When you click for more information you will see a different time. The correct time is 10am. The link to the meeting did not change.
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Pickup some tips from the Marketing Experts Roundtable
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Marketing Experts Roundtable. Learn with
Melanie Diehl
is a 1 1/2 hour video where expert marketers share tips on visibility, productivity, organization and content creation for small business in this virtual round table event.
Click here to watch.
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Updates from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
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Please find attached and at the links below new and updated resources that the U.S. Chamber has developed to assist businesses access resources created under the CARES Act (Phase III bill). This includes an update to the guide we released several days ago on the Paycheck Protection Program.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Treasury issued additional guidance yesterday regarding the Paycheck Protection Program. Links to the resources provided by Treasury can be found, or on their
webpage
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- A top-line overview of the program can be found here.
- If you’re a lender, more information can be found here.
- If you’re a borrower, more information can be found here.
- The application for borrowers can be found here.
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Coastal Auto Network, LLC
C. Blake White, owner
8109 River Road, SE, Southport, NC 28461
(910) 363-4704
We are a Certified Pre-owned dealership, our vehicles go through a 125 point inspection and come with a 3 month 4500 mile power train warranty.
Read More Here.
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Group Workers Compensation Thru Chamber Group
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In need of Worker's Compensation Insurance? Check out the Chamber's Group Plan through NC Retail Merchants Association and First Benefit Insurance Mutual.
You are eligible because you are a member of the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce.
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Members provide news, information and articles about their business which is shared electronically with fellow members and the general public through a Direct Email Campaign and on the Chamber's Facebook Page. The deadline for submission is the 12th of every month. No display ads accepted. Include a jpeg photo with your copy in Word. Submissions by email only. E-Mail Subject must be Member News.
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Calendar of Chamber Events
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4/6 CARES ACT Update – 4pm on Zoom – Speakers: Congressman David Rouzer,
U.S. Representative for NC's 7th Congressional District and Allison Dembeck, Executive Director, Congressional and Public Affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
4/7 Business Connections – 11:45am – 1:00pm on Zoom,
4/14 Business Connections – 11:45am – 1:00pm on Zoom,
4/21 Coffee with the Girls – 8am on Zoom.
4/21 Business Connections – 11:45am – 1:00pm on Zoom,
4/30 Nomination Deadline for Spring Golden Pineapple, Small Business of the Year, and Non-Profit of the Year.
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4433 Long Beach Road, SE
Southport, North Carolina 28461
info@southport-oakisland.com
910.457-6964
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