March 24, 2020
Letter to members from MidAmerica President
FROM TERESA CAMPBELL, PIA MIDAMERICA PRESIDENT:

Dear MidAmerica members and industry friends,
 
My team is working hard to represent our industry to city, county and state government officials while at the same time gathering important data to keep you informed. Printing may not specifically be listed in each proclamation but we have positive feedback that based on the information we’ve provided, our civic leaders understand the support that our industry provides to other essential industries.
 
For our businesses to provide essential support we must first focus on our most valuable assets, our people. We ask that you personally give serious consideration to the value of your team and the effort you’re putting into keeping one another safe. Ask yourself: What am I doing to make a positive impact? Am I helping my company to address the topics listed below?

Read the rest of Teresa's letter .
COVID-19 employment resources
Resources to reduce employee hours
During economic slowdowns, you have resources when reducing employees hours . According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, " Workshare programs let businesses temporarily reduce the hours of their employees, instead of laying them off during economic downturns. Technically referred to as short time compensation, the goal of worksharing programs is to reduce unemployment." You must apply. More info here .
Preparing your workplace for pandemic
If you are supporting essential businesses and remain open, the CDC has guidelines for preparing your workplace during a pandemic . While the instructions are for an influenza outbreak, these are still considered best practices with current COVID-19 pandemic.
MidAmerica campaign to promote print
Can you spot the differences? Your small business can stay profitable by utilizing printing companies to help with drive-thru signs, face shields, and marketing support as you adjust to the challenges of COVID-19. Send us a message to request our buyer's guide and check out our online resource at printaccess.com.

You have PIA MidAmerica's permission to use this graphic in your own self-promotion.
Work-from-home resources
The iLearning Center is a member benefit for all printer members and features printing industry-focused courses developed and presented by industry expert instructors. There are free courses for every professional in categories such as print production, marketing, pre-press, digital enhancements and more. If you need your PIA National log-in, message us . We'll get you set-up.
Congress, administration near USPS deal
FROM LISBETH LYONS, PRINTING INDUSTRIES OF AMERICA ADVOCATE ON CAPITOL HILL:

Last night the U.S. Senate agreed on emergency funding for USPS: $13 billion in direct appropriations and the flexibility on delivery language from the U.S. House of Representatives bill. Not enough, but very good overall – and might give USPS enough to limp along until September. The House bill, by comparison, has $25 billion in direct appropriations, debt forgiveness and a clean debt limit of $15 billion, as well as delivery flexibility and perhaps vote-by-mail. But, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has reservations and, at this point, is only agreeing to a loan facility of some kind. The Hill and the Trump Administration are on the cusp of a deal , rendering this very urgent. Attached is a letter signed by 45 trade associations (including ours) and consumer organizations that went to both sides of the Hill yesterday.
Campbell continues to lobby governments
PIA MidAmerica President Teresa Campbell continues to tirelessly lobby local government officials as they enact stay-at-home and/or 'work safe' orders. While we firmly believe these orders include language that points to printing and packaging supporting other essential businesses, Campbell is asking for print, packaging and related industries to be explicitly listed as essential businesses outright . We will continue to update you individually as your cities/counties release orders. You can message Teresa to learn how you can make an impact.
Help us promote you
Tell us if you're open and what unique ways you plan to meet client & public needs during this time. We will continue to compile a list of members and what they're offering (drive-up, online portals, new services etc.). Let us know — we'll continually update the list and post on our website and through social outlets.