In The Kn
o
w
The Weekly Newsletter of
The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce
Friday, June 26, 2020
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It's been a rough 2020 (so far) we all have a long road ahead. From the Chamber family to yours, we hope you take a little time next week to relax, enjoy your family, and reflect on what it means to be an American - both now and in the future.
Please Note:
The Chamber offices will be closed next Friday, July 3rd, in observance of the Fourth of July holiday. We will reopen on Monday, July 6th, at 9 a.m. In The Know will also take the holiday off. Our next issue will be Friday, July 10th. Please click below to submit your "Member Morsel" information.
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U.S. Chamber Recognizes 259 Members of Congress with Spirit of Enterprise Award for Pro-Business Votes
Spirit of Enterprise Award Honors Strong Record of Support
for Business Community with New Emphasis on
Leadership and Bipartisanship Efforts
On Monday, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce honored 210 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and 49 members of the U.S. Senate with its annual
Spirit of Enterprise Award
, given in recognition of their support for pro-growth policies in the first session of the 116th Congress.
“In these uncertain times with daunting economic and social challenges facing our nation, it is imperative that leaders in Washington are focused on propelling American businesses forward to create jobs and economic growth from California to Maine,” said Thomas J. Donohue, CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “As we rebuild our economy, legislators must lead by pursuing bipartisan solutions that create jobs and promote a free enterprise system. I’m proud to recognize these 259 Members of Congress for their commitment to driving opportunity and prosperity in America’s workforce and on Main Streets across the nation.”
Today’s
scorecard release
marks the 32nd year the U.S. Chamber has formally honored lawmakers and the first time in 40 years to update the system of scoring lawmakers. While casting pro-growth votes remains essential, the U.S. Chamber now gives lawmakers credit for showing leadership on positive legislation and reaching across the aisle to get things done. By earning the 2020 Spirit of Enterprise award, Members of Congress have shown their commitment to not only supporting pro-business legislation, but also a commitment to the bipartisan leadership and constructive governing necessary to move our country forward.
Previously, a member’s annual How They Voted score solely reflected how consistently he or she voted with the Chamber’s position on legislation identified as important to the business community. The Chamber will produce individual report cards for all members that will show how the member compares to the rest of the Congress, their party, and their delegation. The new scorecard is made up of three components:
1. Legislative Vote Score (80% of the total score)
2. Legislative Leadership Score (10% of the total score)
3. Bipartisan Engagement Score (10% of total score)
Read more on the scoring process
here
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U.S. Chamber of Commerce PPP Forgiveness Guide
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The U.S. Chamber's updated four-page
Guide to PPP Loan Forgiveness
may be viewed and printed via the button below. This guide reflects recent substantive changes made by Congress and the administration to the US Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program which will provide borrowers with more flexibility. These changes include:
- Extending the time to spend PPP funds from 8 weeks to 24 weeks;
- Lowering the amount that must be spent on payroll from 75% to 60%;
- Extending the deadline to restore FTEs and payroll from June 30, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020; and
- Setting the repayment term for loans made after June 4, 2020 at five years.
The U.S. Chamber’s updated guide covers all of these changes, as well as others made in recent guidance issued by the Department of the Treasury. It is designed to help you more easily understand the forgiveness application process. However, note that while this guide reflects all of the most recent changes, it is possible that further changes could be made. The Chamber will continue to update this information and add it to its
COVID-19 Resource Page
as needed.
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Updates from Ohio Governor DeWine's June 25th Press Conference
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Below are the updates from yesterday’s (June 25th) press conference with Governor DeWine. The next press conference is currently scheduled for Tuesday, June 30th and will be viewable on
WTOV9
.
- Ohio’s COVID-19 case data:
- 44,221 confirmed cases
- 3,430 probable cases
- 47,651 total cases
- 7,502 hospitalizations
- 2,530 confirmed deaths
- 242 probable deaths
- 2,772 total deaths
- 1,897 ICU admissions
- More data is available on the COVID-19 Dashboard HERE.
- Governor DeWine invited President and CEO of UC Health Richard P. Lofgren, MD, MPH, FACP to give an update on the status of COVID-19 in Hamilton County and the surrounding areas. The effective reproductive ratio, also known as R naught, measures how many people will be infected by a sick individual. The R naught had reached 2.4 in that region in April. In recent weeks, the R naught had declined to below one. However, in the last 10 days, the R naught has doubled over the last 10 days in the Cincinnati region.
- Dr. Lofgren explained that the increase in cases is not only due to the tests being performed, but the increase shows there is a greater presence of the COVID-19 in the area, and it is spreading in the community. He said it serves as a reminder about the importance of wearing a mask in public, washing your hands, sanitizing frequently touched surfaces, and keeping social distance.
- Governor DeWine announced today that the Ohio Department of Health will continue funding for the valuable 2-1-1 service as Ohio enters into the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. 2-1-1 is a phone service that connects thousands of Ohioans to local non-profit and government services for healthcare, food and meals, housing, transportation, mental health, and legal services. At the beginning of the year, the service was available in 51 of Ohio’s 88 counties. When the pandemic began, Ohio EMA asked Ohio AIRS, the non-profit that governs Ohio 2-1-1, to provide service to the remaining 37 counties in Ohio, which happened in March. Ohioans can also dial 877-721-8476 to get connected to 2-1-1.
- Click here for details for the pop-up testing sites operating June 29th through July 2nd.
- For the week ending June 20, 2020, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) reported 34,553 initial jobless claims to the U.S. Department of Labor. Over the last 14 weeks, ODJFS has distributed more than $4.4 billion in unemployment compensation payments to more than 716,000 claimants. Of the more than 1 million applications the agency has received, about 94% have been processed, with less than 6% pending. Pursuant to an order from the U.S. Department of Labor, Ohio will release unemployment numbers on a weekly basis when the national report is released on Thursday.
- Ohioans may apply for unemployment benefits online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at unemployment.ohio.gov. It is also possible to file by phone at 877-644-6562 or TTY at 888- 642-8203, Monday through Friday 7AM to 7PM, Saturday 9AM to 5PM, and Sunday 9AM to 1PM. Employers with questions should email UCTech@jfs.ohio.gov.
As always,
Coronavirus.Ohio.Gov
and the Department of Health hotline,
1-833-4-ASK-ODH
are great resources for those who have questions.
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Small Business Administration Disaster Customer Service
800.659.2955
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Chamber'sT-Shirt Project Ends Monday!!
Please support this important fundraiser
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The Chamber's "We Are All Essential" t-shirt project continues to grow as the the Chamber staff and volunteers delivered our "community pride" shirts this week to member restaurants, bakeries, retailers and more. And beginning
today
, you may purchase your own for yourself, staff, family or friends. Every purchase will help us keep our inventory big enough that all of our local member businesses have enough shirts for their staff. It truly is "members helping members."
In addition, you may choose from THREE styles: a regular t-shirt, a long-sleeved tee and a hoodie. The cooler temperatures will be here before you know it and want to keep our message going strong for months to come. All shirts are high-quality, Hanes, pre-shrunk cotton.
A big thank you again to our very generous sponsors who made this exciting project possible.
And last, please send us your photos of you and your employees wearing this important message so that we may share them on social media. Check out the latest submission from the employees at Maryland Market below.
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Your COVID-related Questions Answered By Local Professionals
The Jefferson County Public Health & Livelihood Task Force is made up of Jefferson County Health Department officials, local physicians, attorneys, chamber of commerce representatives, business owners and others who can provide solid information and responses to the many questions our residents and business owners have. The Chamber has created a simple, convenient online form to submit your questions. You may remain anonymous if you wish. This panel is meeting on a regular basis and will respond as soon as possible to your inquiry or question.
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Important Webinar July 2nd:
“Managing Your Human Resources Through COVID-19 and Beyond”
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As the economy reopens across the country and workplace environments continue to change, utilize the Ohio Small Business Development Center for up-to-date information and guidance.
Don't miss, a one-hour, hands-on
“Ask the Human Resource Expert”
web chat with Joanna Forbes, MS, SHRM-CP who will discuss current updates on COVID-19 regulations, best practices for managing employees and staying compliant with state directives. Ms. Forbes, owner and chief consultant of Forbes Human Resources, LLC has 20 years of experience in human resources and workplace training. During her professional career, she has worked and collaborated in industries such as healthcare, education, manufacturing, social services, food service, non-profit and faith-based organizations. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Leadership and Training & Development. She is a Certified Professional member of the Society of Human Resources Management.
“
Managing Your Human Resources Through COVID-19 and Beyond” –
Joanna Forbes live Q&A – July 2, 2020 at Noon.
Register by emailing Deanna Spencer, Program Assistant, at
dmspence@kent.edu
for your link and calendar invite.
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Black Wall Street and Its Legacy in America
From
Forbes
: "
A century ago, O.W. Gurley built an empire of African American businesses in Tulsa. Though it all came burning down in the massacre of 1921, new generations of entrepreneurs rose from the ashes." For more, click the "Play" button. You can also read the full profile on Gurley by clicking
here
.
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Golf Registration Is Open!
Space is limited so don't delay.
Due to social distancing, space may be limited so please register soon by clicking the button below.
There are also a few select sponsorship opportunities left.
For more information, email Janet McLauglin
here
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Join Us For A Special Outdoor Coffee & Connections!
As we slowly and safely get back to a new normal, the Chamber is excited to announce, a special outdoor event in July at
Historic Fort Steuben
.
July's Coffee & Connections will be held on Wednesday, July 8th, beginning at 9 a.m. (Note the later starting time for July only.)
Zalenski Eatery & Pub
will provide a delicious box breakfast and as, always, there will be plenty of coffee flowing. Social distancing and safe seating rules will be in effect and advance reservations are required. Watch your Chamber email for an official invitation or register now by clicking
here.
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2020 Burger Bash Date Is Set
Mark your calendars now for the 2020 Ambassador Burger Bash to be held on Wednesday, August 5th, on the green space at
The Inn & Suites At Franciscan Square Best Western PLUS.
This annual event combines great food and drink, music, prizes and more into a casual fun evening with fellow members. Proceeds benefit the Anita Jackson Community Scholarship fund. Watch your mail and email for details. You may also purchase your tickets, make a donation or become a sponsor by clicking here.
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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.
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$100 Discount on New Restylane Kysse Filler Designed for Lips
On July 1st and July 15th, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.,
Be Spa
will be offering a $100 discount on the brand-new Restylane Kysse Filler, normally priced at $700. Space is limited! Please call 304.224.1938.
Restylane Kysse™ is made with XpresHAn Technology™, which gives the hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler more flexibility and tissue integration than traditional fillers on the market. Restylane Kysse™ offers unique cross-linking technology that gives the substance a balance between structure and flexibility, which is great for the lips and areas of the face with lots of movement. It can move along with the tissue seamlessly – giving it a very natural look and feel.
Another reason we love Restylane Kysse™? The filler’s effects are long-lasting! Restylane Kysse was specifically designed for the lips and has particles that are smaller than other dermal fillers on the market. The effects were shown to last up to one year as opposed to six to nine months.
ALSO!
We are now offering laser hair removal & skin treatments.
Please come and join us July 15th to welcome our new pain-free med-spa treatment.
For more information, please call Jeannie Burkhead, Owner, or Austin Steineman, Manager, at 304.224.1938 or email
justbespa@yahoo.com
. Be Spa is located at 241 Three Springs Dr. in Weirton.
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Patriot Tap House is Open for Business!
Patriot Tap House's doors have opened for the retail side (homebrewing supplies/equipment for beer/wine), along with nachos/pretzels with cheese and smoked pulled pork.
We are currently still waiting on our liquor license for the 8-tap craft beer. We will also have a food truck here and there. Check us out on Facebook
here
for more details.
For more information, please call John or Vanessa at 740.792.4141.
Patriot Tap House is a new Chamber member and is located at 111 Reichart Avenue in Wintersville.
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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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New Executive Order Allows Employees to Remain on Unemployment after Turning Down Job Offer
This week, Gov. Mike DeWine issued an executive order clarifying when an individual receiving unemployment benefits can refuse suitable employment for COVID-19 reasons and still remain eligible for benefits.
Under current law, a person becomes ineligible for unemployment benefits if they turn down suitable employment without good cause.
However, there is no statutory definition of what constitutes good cause, so hearing officers at the Ohio Unemployment Compensation Review Commission have been making eligibility determinations on a case by case basis when a person refuses employment for concerns about the coronavirus.
Read the article in its entirety by clicking
here
.
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U.S. Chamber Study Shows Commercial Construction Industry Poised for Recovery After Covid-19
The Q2 2020 USG Corporation + U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index, released today, reveals a drop in contractors’ confidence and outlook for their industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, some Index findings indicate that commercial construction is well-positioned for recovery.
Survey results were collected in April, at the height of shutdown restriction, causing the overall Index to plunge from 74 in Q1 to 56 in Q2. The drop reflects the fact that two of the Index’s main indicators — confidence in new business and revenue expectations — both fell 26 points, to 50 and 44, respectively, revealing the severe impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the construction industry.
Read all articles in this series 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. Each week in "In The Know,"
you to a business book or magazine that will inspire, teach, inform, or elevate you, professionally and personally. This week:
Nonprofit Management 101
by Darian Rodriguez Heyman and Laila Brenner
This intensely practical and comprehensive guidebook is for both leaders new to the nonprofit sector looking for a quick primer on all the issues that matter, as well as established veterans looking to understand how all the pieces fit together. Showcasing practical tips and takeaways, this how-to manual and resource guide provides easy-to-implement solutions for organizations seeking to expand impact and meet mission.
View this resource by clicking
here
.
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Today in History
Congress approves Federal Highway Act
- June 26, 1956 -
From History.com:
On June 26, 1956, the U.S. Congress approves the Federal Highway Act, which allocates more than $30 billion for the construction of some 41,000 miles of interstate highways; it will be the largest public construction project in U.S. history to that date.
Among the pressing questions involved in passing highway legislation were where exactly the highways should be built, and how much of the cost should be carried by the federal government versus the individual states.
Several competing bills went through Congress before 1956, including plans spearheaded by the retired general and engineer Lucius D. Clay; Senator Albert Gore Sr.; and Rep. George H. Fallon, who called his program the “National System of Interstate and Defense Highways,” thus linking the construction of highways with the preservation of a strong national defense.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower had first realized the value of a national system of roads after participating in the U.S. Army’s first transcontinental motor convoy in 1919; during World War II, he had admired Germany’s autobahn network. In January 1956, Eisenhower called in his State of the Union address (as he had in 1954) for a “modern, interstate highway system.”
Later that month, Fallon introduced a revised version of his bill as the Federal Highway Act of 1956. It provided for a 65,000-km national system of interstate and defense highways to be built over 13 years, with the federal government paying for 90 percent, or $24.8 billion.
To raise funds for the project, Congress would increase the gas tax from two to three cents per gallon and impose a series of other highway user tax changes. On June 26, 1956, the Senate approved the final version of the bill by a vote of 89 to 1; Senator Russell Long, who opposed the gas tax increase, cast the single “no” vote. That same day, the House approved the bill by a voice vote, and three days later, Eisenhower signed it into law.
Highway construction began almost immediately, employing tens of thousands of workers and billions of tons of gravel and asphalt. The system fueled a surge in the interstate trucking industry, which soon pushed aside the railroads to gain the lion’s share of the domestic shipping market. Interstate highway construction also fostered the growth of roadside businesses such as restaurants (often fast-food chains), hotels and amusement parks. By the 1960s, an estimated one in seven Americans was employed directly or indirectly by the automobile industry, and America had become a nation of drivers.
Legislation has extended the Interstate Highway Revenue Act three times, and it is remembered by many historians as Eisenhower’s greatest domestic achievement.
On the other side of the coin, critics of the system have pointed to its less positive effects, including the loss of productive farmland and the demise of small businesses and towns in more isolated parts of the country.
For more events that took place on
June 26th, please click
here
.
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- 45,557 -
"
The U.S. saw a record number of new coronavirus cases in a single day, with 45,557 diagnoses reported Wednesday... Wednesday’s cases top the previous highest daily count from April 26 — during the first peak of the pandemic in the U.S. — by more than 9,000 cases, according to NBC News’ tracking data. The World Health Organization reported its single-day record on Sunday, with more than 183,000 new cases worldwide."
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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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Janet McLaughlin
Investor Relations Coordinator
Janet will assist you with utilizing your membership benefits, answering questions about member programming or how to promote your business through the Chamber.
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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 or information about anything related to the Chamber.
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Melissa DeFrances
Administrative & Accounting Coordinator
Melissa is your go to for accounting or billing questions, event reservations, membership questions, changes to your company information or any other assistance you may need.
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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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