Gateway Business Group members and subscribers,
My heart goes out to all of you during this difficult time. Thank you to those working in the medical field, first responders, grocers, food service, mechanics, construction, safety, and all other essential fields. I also want to express my sympathy for those who were forced to close shop due to the virus. Whether temporary or permanent, closing your doors is never easy, and I hope to see your businesses open and bustling again in the next few months.
Many restaurants and stores are offering take-out, delivery, or curbside pickup. I encourage you to call your favorite local spots to see if they are taking part in this. Small businesses need all of the support we can offer right now.
Cabin fever? The weather is warming up, so it is the perfect time to take the dog around the block or go for a relaxing jog in the fresh spring air.
To our members: I will continue to check for your emails daily and make posts as they arise. You are welcome to send updates about your business. Are you open? Doing curbside pickup? We'd love to know!
Please note: response times may be slightly less timely due to Covid-19.
Wishing you all the best this Spring,
Jessica
Gateway Business Group Communications
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Making the most
There won't be any large family gatherings this Easter, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun celebrating at home. Here is a list of some ideas to keep up the holiday spirit while social distancing:
- Video Chat: while visiting with all of your family in one space will not be an option this year, you can still connect via video chat. Some favorites include: Zoom, Messenger, and Skype. These allow more than one person to be on the call at once, so you can share your family traditions from the safety of home.
- Egg Hunt: Your kids do not have to miss out on egg hunt fun just because of social distancing. Set up an egg hunt in the backyard or even in your house. To make it more exciting, add "tickets" in some eggs that can be redeemed for larger prizes (ex. a chocolate bunny, a small toy, etc.). Other options include flash light egg hunts, beer hunts (21+), glow in the dark, and scavenger hunts. Egg hunt ideas, including these, can be found on Pinterest.
*If you do the egg hunt, maintain social distancing from neighbors while outside and keep the participants to only those in your household.
- Sunday's Best: Dress up in your best Easter outfits and take a picture to send to friends and family.
- Chalk it up: use chalk to draw fun spring and Easter images on your sidewalk, complete with inspirational messages.
- Basket Blues: it may feel like everything is falling apart, but you can still assemble a fun basket for your kids, spouse, or others living with you. Grocery stores are stocked up on plastic eggs, grass, candy, and toys. For older bunnies, board games and puzzles are a great choice.
When shopping for Easter supplies, make a list beforehand so you do not need to linger in the aisles. If you have an essential trip for food or cleaning supplies, try to grab your Easter goodies on that trip rather than going out on two separate occasions.
When possible, utilize curbside pick-up, takeout, or delivery options.
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SBA to offer Covid-19 Disaster Loans
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Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Development Services Agency Director Lydia Mihalik today announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has qualified the State of Ohio for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
As a result, Ohio businesses and non-profits economically impacted by the outbreak of COVID-19 may now apply for a low-interest loan of up to $2 million to help pay for fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. You can apply for the loan online at
https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/
, which is recommended, or by calling 1-800-659-2955 to have an application mailed to you.
To expedite the application process, applicants should have ready complete copies of their most recent federal income tax return and a completed and signed IRS Form 4506T, which authorizes the release of tax information. Additional information to have available would be a schedule of liabilities, personal financial statement, monthly sales figures, a current year-to-date profit-and-loss statement, and a year-end profit-and-loss statement and balance sheet for that tax year if the most recent federal income tax return has not been filed.
For more details, click here.
As efforts to combat the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus continue, Governor DeWine and his administration will continue to identify ways to support the state’s small businesses and nonprofits. For the latest and most accurate information regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, please visit
Coronavirus.Ohio.Gov
or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.
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Mercy Health seeking PPE donations
Goggles
Face shields
Masks (including handmade)
Latex gloves
Tyvek suits
To make a supply donation or to find out facilities to donate to, write to
APRush@bshsi.org
with subject line: DONATION or call 888-383-8000.
*For safety reasons, donations should
not
be brought directly to healthcare facilities
Clark County EMA seeking PPE donations
Latex Gloves
Surgical Masks
N-95 respirators
Gowns
For more information or to make a donation, e-mail slittler@clarkcountyohio.gov.
(information from clarkcountyohio.gov, subject to change)
Clark County Food Pantries
The Clark County Combined Health District and other agencies are working to provide food to the needy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Residents in need can
click here for a list of available food pantries
.
For immediate assistance, call 2-1-1 or the Clark County Combined Health District at 937-390-5600.
(information from clarkcountyohio.gov, subject to change)
Enon Emergency Relief
Dish detergent
Laundry Detergent
Cleaning Supplies
Spaghetti
Boxed Potatoes
Jell-O
Cornbread Mix
Large cans of soup
Monetary donations to purchase milk and bread
Checks can be mailed to Enon Emergency Relief, P.O. Box 121, Enon, OH 45323 or can be dropped off during volunteer pantry hours on Monday, 1:30 to 5:00 PM
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