MEMBER CONNECT
April 28, 2020
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Greetings!
Here is this week's
Member Connect
e-newsletter featuring informative and useful content and a responsive interface accessible to you anywhere, anytime. Enjoy!
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Bicoastal Radio Stations in Eugene
( 1120 KPNW, 104.7 KDUK, KOOL 99.1, and U.S. 101) have daily commercial inventory that is going unused. If Springfield Chamber members would like to access that inventory at special rates to get their message out, contact General Manager Jeff Gaulton at 541-284-3662.
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This week we’re keeping an eye on new federal and state small business funding assistance to local businesses seeking and deserving of support. If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to check in with your lending institution or the SBA on the status of your application, or advice on how and with whom to initiate one.
We’re also keeping tabs on the Governor’s plans for reopening, and are committed to ensuring our businesses’ ideas are heard and questions are addressed. We understand clarity and consistency remain key as those plans evolve, as does reliable information and useful tools that you can best prepare and plan for what’s to come. To that end, please keep an eye on opportunities to stay connected, informed, and engaged via our chamber committees and key communications.
Remember, we’re still just a phone call away! Every conversation is valued and brings purpose and motivation to our day.
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-Vonnie Mikkelsen, President and CEO
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Member Continuity and Relief Options
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We are deeply appreciative of our members’ support to the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, and grateful for the sacrifices you’ve made to protect the health of our community, employees, and families during these unprecedented times.
Many of our members who are feeling the greatest impacts are the same local small businesses and non-profit organizations that have and will define us as a community. We are very aware of the overwhelmingly difficult decisions you may be facing. We are equally aware of the financial burdens.
To this end, we’ve established multiple COVID-19 member continuity and relief options that we think you’ll find of value, including the Membership Match Program, sponsored by Oregon Community Credit Union. If you have any questions about our COVID-19 member continuity and relief options, please reach out to our Member Services team at
max@springfield-chamber.org
.
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Legislative Advocacy
Your Business. Your Community. Your Voice.
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OSCC Business Reopening Survey
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The Oregon State Chamber of Commerce is requesting our local business community take
this survey.
This is time sensitive with a very quick turnaround -
the deadline is TOMORROW, Wednesday April 29th at 5pm.
The results will be shared with the Governor's Office, Legislature and other agencies that are needing information about what the effects of the COVID-19 health crisis is having in the business community and how we can plan for reopening Oregon.
We look forward to hearing ideas on how to move forward and reopen our communities safely.
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Governor Brown issues direction to DOR regarding waiving first quarter penalties for the CAT
Last week Governor Brown stated that she will not delay implementation of the Corporate Activity Tax (CAT). Her office released the following statement in response to questions regarding whether she would take action before the April 30 deadline for payments:
"During this public health crisis, Governor Brown's first concern is protecting the health and safety of Oregonians. It's more important than ever to preserve Oregon's schools and other essential services, especially for vulnerable Oregonians who have had their lives and livelihoods threatened during this pandemic. Preserving the Corporate Activities Tax is one of the best ways to do that, and to help protect small businesses and middle class taxpayers."
While the Governor has elected not to support delayed implementation of the CAT, she did issue a letter late Friday, clarifying that some businesses will be held harmless from penalties, as long as they can prove hardship.
In her letter
, the Governor:
- Directed DOR to raise the threshold for making estimated tax payments from $5,000 of annual tax liability to $10,000 of annual tax liability for the first year of the tax.
- Clarified that businesses that are struggling or who shuttered due to the COVID-19 crisis, and have no ability to determine whether they will owe a tax this year, will not be penalized. However, these entities must retain documentation showing:
- Their inability to pay a quarterly payment because of insufficient funds due to COVID-19
- Their inability to reasonably calculate a quarterly payment or annual tax liability due to their business being impacted by COVID-19.
- That the taxpayer is unclear at this time whether the business will owe CAT in April 2020 due to COVID-19 impacts, after taking into consideration exclusions and subtractions in the law.
On Monday,
Senator Mark Hass responded with a letter
, asking the Governor to take away the discretion for DOR to waive penalties and simply clarify that there will be no penalties during this difficult time. OSCC echoes Senator Hass's call for simplicity and certainty for businesses during this challenging time.
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Business Voices Needed in Request to Delay the Corporate Activity Tax
With the signatures of over 300 local area businesses, last week the Springfield and Eugene Chambers of Commerce submitted a joint letter requesting the delay of the Corporate Activity Tax to Governor Kate Brown and members of the Oregon legislature. Our chamber will continue to advocate on behalf of our members to delay this tax. Show your support by submitting your name and organization through the link below.
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Government Issues & Economic Development Committees
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As the COVID-19 response continues to move rapidly at the local, state, and federal levels, we have moved our Government Issues Committee meetings to a weekly occurrence. We invite you to join us 8am Tuesday mornings via Zoom to stay on top of local, regional, and state issues of impact on business and community.
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Upcoming Government Issues Committee Meetings
Tuesday, May 5th, 8:00am, Zoom Conference
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Open for Business
Stay Home | Support Local
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If you have gift cards available for sale, list your organization on
supportlocal.usatoday.com
, and help in building a one-stop-shop for purchasing from local Springfield restaurants and retailers.
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Update Your Chamber Listing
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We're in the works making our
2020-2021 Springfield Magazine + Directory!
We ask that you please check if your listed Membership Information is correct for inclusion in the directory portion of our print magazine:
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Please login to your member account if you'd like to make any changes to your primary representative, address, phone numbers, emails or website:
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The second round of applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) reopened yesterday morning.
If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to check in with your lending institution or the SBA on the status of your application, or advice on how and with whom to initiate one.
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Watch the latest video updates from Lane SBDC Director Robert Killen on PPP + EIDL applications.
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Starting today, the Oregon Employment Department is providing unemployment benefits through the CARES Act Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. In preparation, the agency has recruited and trained staff to process PUA claims. Please access the PUA application and certification forms on the CARES Act section of the Employment Department’s COVID-19 web page:
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IRS information (English & Spanish) for taxpayers, businesses, tax-exempt organizations, and others who need information about Coronavirus tax relief and economic impact payments:
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The Chamber Community has been stepping up, leaning in, making tough decisions, surviving, innovating, hiring, pivoting, and is deserving of support and acknowledgment. Check out some of these important updates from our Chamber members:
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Looking Glass Community Services's
Rural Program offers basic needs, case management, shelter, education, counseling, and other services to youth, ages 11-21, in South Lane County. The need for these services is great, and with no other organization in the area working with this age group, it is more vital than ever that we remain operational. To find out how the Rural Program is responding to the COVID-19 crisis, read their blog interview with Amanda Hampton, the Rural Program Supervisor, link below:
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Euphoria Chocolate Company
is now offering local delivery or curbside pick-up. Treat yourself or your mom for Mother's Day to some of their tasty delights!
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During these uncertain times, we recognize the strength and resiliency of the Springfield Chamber community. Thank you to those who have shared your story. To all our members, please help us share yours. Contact Elora Kelsh,
elora@springfield-chamber.org
for more information.
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If you are looking for opportunities to stay connected and informed, you can watch all of our COVID-19 related informational webinars on our Business Resource Hub under the “Informational Webinars” tab:
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Education & Talent Development
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Upcoming Education Meetings
May 21st, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
If you would like to join this committee meeting or if you have any questions please email our Director of Development and Talent Initiatives Paige Sharpe (
paige@springfield-chamber.org
)
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City Club Hosts Lively Exchange
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield City Club rescheduled its mayoral debate to April 16 over Zoom and Facebook Live, to give the club an opportunity to submit questions of the candidates ahead of the May 19 election.
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United Way of Lane County Donates $100K to Food Banks in Our Area
LANE COUNTY, Ore. — Lane County residents in need are being fed thanks to several charity organizations, a big one being United Way of Lane County.
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Colorado, Nevada join Oregon, Wash. and Calif. in Western States Pact
PORTLAND, Ore. – Colorado and Nevada are joining the pact to coordinate while reopening the economies of the western states and still curbing the spread of coronavirus.
The so-called Western States Pact was initially announced on April 13 between Oregon, Washington, and California.
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We want locals and visitors to know that we are proud of the ways our local communities are coming together to support one another, and that we’ll be ready to welcome travelers when it’s time to travel again. We #LoveLane County, and want to encourage anyone connected with our communities to help us celebrate why.
In partnership with ten of Chamber of Commerce agencies throughout Lane County, Travel Lane County
developed a suite of creative assets, including video, photo and shareable graphics that will help us all show that Lane County is united in supporting local businesses and that we are eager to welcome back visitors when the time is right. Check out the video and download some #LoveLane media assets below!
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Member Connect | Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce
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