Thank you to our E-NEWS Sponsors!
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Friday, April 17, 2020 @ Noon
Cononanomics II: Virtual Panel Discussion
What the outbreak means for small businesses, jobs and the future
The novel coronavirus has brought about tremendous upheaval for the United States and world economies. For small businesses, what does it all mean? What relief is available for small businesses? Will the stimulus package help? How is it accessed?
These and other issues will be the topic of a virtual panel discussion featuring representatives from the Ursinus Business and Economics faculty; Career and Post-Graduate Development, the U-Imagine Center
and representatives from the local business community.
All members of the local business community and Ursinus are welcome.
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IMPORTANT UPDATE
EIDL Emergency Advance
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The EIDL (Emergency Injury Disaster Loan) includes an option for up to a $10,000 advance (up to $1,000 per employee). The emergency advance does not have to be repaid.
SBA introduced a NEW streamlined application (released March 30, 2020).
I
f you applied prior to March 30th, you will need to reapply
by going
through the NEW APPLICATION PROCESS and select the option that says “I would like to be considered for an advance of up to $10,000.” This re-application process will not slow down the previous application. Regardless of whether the business is approved for an EIDL, the business will receive the advance.
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Click on Link below to view a comprehensive presentation of the Federal CARES Act
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PPP - Paycheck Protection Program
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The
Paycheck Protection Program
is designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on payroll by providing each small business a loan for payroll and certain other expenses. Borrowers are eligible to have the loan forgiven if certain guidelines are followed. This program is available through
SBA approved lenders.
Lenders may require additional documentation.
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Employee Retention Tax Credit
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The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act created a new employee retention tax credit for employers who are closed, partially closed, or experiencing significant revenue losses as a result of COVID-19.
NOTE: Borrowers cannot use PPP and tax credit. However, small businesses can receive EIDL and PPP funds, but they cannot be used to cover the same costs. Speak with your financial advisor for best option
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Montgomery County Gift Card Program
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Help save your favorite local business one gift card at a time.
Support your local restaurants and shops by buying gift cards during the COVID-19 shutdown.
You'll help them get the cash they need now, so you can enjoy their business later.
This is a County-wide program that was developed through input from local chambers and key stakeholders.
Small businesses can sign up using the link below
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A Message From The Chamber Office
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Dear Chamber Members and Friends,
I hope this email finds you, your family and colleagues healthy and safe!
The Chamber continues to
serve our membership and community
during this difficult time. The
situation is fluid
and information is
changing rapidly
. Many of the State and Federal relief programs have been modified/updated numerous times and will
continue to change
. We will continue to provide our small business owners and employees with resources to carry them through this period;
time-sensitive announcements/resource links
can be found in
email messages
sent from PV Chamber
.
Visit the
COVID-19 Resource Hub
for links to find answers to FAQ, local deals and
positive things
happening in our community!
You are not alone.
Many members are experiencing the same frustrations as they navigate the federal and state relief programs. Loan approval is taking much longer than anticipated and funds are not being distributed as quickly as business owners were originally promised. Lenders are working tirelessly to review applications in a timely manner, but the massive volume of requests is putting a strain on resources. Additionally, unemployment claims are skyrocketing and the systems are overwhelmed. Unemployment for self-employed, gig workers and others previously ineligible for UC, will be able to file within the next 2 weeks (or at least that's the time frame that's been announced). I am confident this will eventually be sorted out.
Patience and persistence are the key words of the week!
Need assistance?
Contact the Chamber for a referral to an expert.
Membership Renewals
- April 1, 2020 marks the start of our 2020-2021 Fiscal Year. As you are aware, we delayed sending renewal notices. We hope the extension provides (a little) relief to our members. More details to follow in the next few weeks. I would like to thank essential businesses that are still open and have offered to pay their renewal notices. We greatly appreciate your kindness.
As I've stated in recent correspondence,
I miss "seeing you".
Please reach out to let me know how I can be of service. Whether you have questions about relief programs, mandates/guidelines, employment opportunities, UC questions, etc, or just want to
say "hello" or simply to share your concerns...I am here for you!
I hope you will join the virtual pannel discussion hosted by Ursinus Colleg on Friday, April 17th
(details and link can be found at top of enews).
The sooner we
flatten the curve, the sooner we can begin to rebuild
.
Thank you for your patience and stay safe.
Sincerely,
Renee Blomstrom
Executive Director
renee@pvchamber.net
610-489-6660
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Support Small Business, Friends and Neighbors!
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Small business is the backbone of our regional economy. Please look for ways to support these businesses during the pandemic.
Restaurants, Catering, Groceries and Wholesale Clubs:
Please call your senior neighbors and friends to lift their spirits and ensure they have food and proper medication. Contact the
Community Food Pantry
for updated hours of operation and needed supplies.
Be Safe and Healthy!
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Supplies Needed for Phoenixville Hospital
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P
hoenixville, PA (March 2020) - In the past week, Phoenixville Hospital has received an outpouring of calls, emails and social pings from the community asking how they can help the hospital during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) health outbreak.
"We have received medical supplies and food treats for our staff and are so grateful to each and every person or business that makes a contribution to Phoenixville Hospital," said Steven Tullman, President and CEO. "Phoenixville is an amazing hamlet, and I couldn't be prouder to be a part of the fabric of this community."
Phoenixville Hospital is in immediate need of the below Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) items for their staff:
* Masks: looped procedure masks, surgical masks, and N95 masks
Note to seamstress in our community: WE ARE ACCEPTING CLOTH MASKS!
* Gowns: surgical and Isolation gowns
* Eye ware: protective googles and face shields
* Disinfectant wipes and sanitizers
* Surgical gloves
Anyone wishing to contribute is asked to email PhoenixvilleHospitalPrograms@towerhealth.org to arrange delivery.
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On April 3, 2020,
leaders from 50 Pennsylvania chambers
of commerce
signed a letter
to Pennsylvania
Governor Tom Wolf
requesting that the Administration allow more businesses to operate under CISA and CDC guidelines to ensure the critical infrastructure supply chains are protected during the COVID-19 crisis.
Read the letter here
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The following organizations joined the PV Chamber this year!
Click on a business name for more information.
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Mary Allen - Kelly Williams Realty
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All Current PV Chamber Members can be found in the Directory on our Website
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In these times of social distancing, Giuseppe Scillia is going back and posting work that he has done in the past. It's fun. You can see his "Time Capsule" on
Scillia Photography Facebook Page.
Visit daily to see beautiful photos to brighten your day!
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Keeping you photos on your cell phone or your computer is a good thing. It's better when you can print them in an album or frame them. The most exclusive is to turn your portraits into an oil painting. Our painter portraits are hand painted to take the most prominent place in your home. Are they expensive? Yes. For the most exclusive clients only.
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Montgomery County Resource Hub
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Follow the protocols posted on Montgomery County's COVID-19 data hub
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PV Chamber COVID-19 Resource Hub
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Bookmark the PV Chamber's COVID-19 Resource Hub for up-to-date information for business owners, employers and residents.
- County, State and Federal Resource Links
- Member-to-Member Resources
- Gift Card Program
- Shop Local
- Brighter Side
- Event News
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Now more than ever, we love sharing stories of great things happening in our community, reflective thoughts and positive vibes.
While
Elmwood Park Zoo
is closed, we are looking forward to bringing the zoo to you and your family! Stay connected with us through our Facebook live broadcast, weekdays at 11am. During each session, our education team will highlight one of our ambassador animals. If you can’t watch the videos live, they will still appear on
Facebook
,
our
YouTube
channel, and on our
website
.
Main Street Nutrition
is hosting a "Pay it Forward Campaign" to treat essential workers all month. For every dollar that comes in, Main Street Nutrition will match it. A special thank you to everyone who had paid it forward so far.
It’s the little things that make the biggest difference. Thanks to the generosity of their clients, Main Street Nutrition delivered drinks to essential personnel that at Phoenixville Tower health, Trappe Fire Co. No. 1, Key Bank, Einstein Hospital, and more. Venmo @MSNtogo
"Thank you to all Essential Employees" lawn signs are available for purchase at
Signarama Limerick
. Signs are $20 each and proceeds will be donated to Open Door Ministry and
Daily Bread Community Food Pantry
. Sign exchange will be contact-less. Instructions are in the parking lot. Signarama 112 W. Ridge Pike, Limerick
Need a little pampering?
Giselle Knoblauch , Rodan + Fields
, is offering FREE Self- Care Packets to anyone that may be interested. I’ll be happy to mail them out to any member. In addition to FREE enrollment fee ($19.95) for all PVCC members I’ll also offer an additional 10% cash rebate for any order $80 or greater. I can be reached at gk585284@gmail.com or 610-716-7823.
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Touching Hearts at Home is Hiring
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Touching Hearts at Home
is seeking Part-Time Employed In-Home Caregivers to provide one-on-one care for the elderly and disabled. We are a RAPIDLY growing home care agency and are looking for dedicated and compassionate Caregivers with a true calling to help others! Our Caregivers provide individuals with extra support to keep up with life's daily tasks. We value our clients AND those that serve alongside us! Our goal is to give our Caregivers the support, training, and confidence they need in order to be successful. Our territory spans across all of Montgomery County.
Call 484-854-9300
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Ursinus
Career and Post-Graduate Development would very much like to hear from smaller businesses in regard to their plans for summer internships and hiring for permanent positions for graduating seniors. The information will also be shared with PVCC to better help us "get a pulse" future small business planning.
Survey Questions:
1. What should students expect in terms of interviews in light of this pandemic?
2. What can students do now who are looking for summer 2020 internships and jobs after graduation?
3. How can students be proactive in offering "alternative" arrangements for interviews with employers? Do employers prefer visual calls (like skype, zoom, etc) or is phone good?
Email responses to Olivia Correll at ocorrell@ursinus.edu
Thank you!
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Consider highlighting products or services, sales or promotions, personal bios, and more. Use images that complement your message, and link your images to supporting resources.
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MONTCO ECONOMIC & WORKFORCE RESPONSE TEAM
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PV Chamber urges
businesses to participate in Southeast PA Regional Business Impacts of COVID-19 Survey.
The survey was compiled by stakeholders in the 5 Counties to better understand the impacts of COVID-19 on the regional business community, as well as develop policy and program.
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Your response matters! If you have not done so, please complete the
2020 Census.
Census results help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities each year. With just a 5% undercount in 2020, we could lose $72,336,780 annually in funding for Montgomery County schools, infrastructure, Medicaid, SNAP, housing choice vouchers, head start, senior programs, and more!
If you did not receive a postcard with instructions in the mail, no worries...you can still complete the 2020 census online.
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Message from Senator Mensch
April 13, 2020
The spike in the number of applicants in the
Unemployment Compensation system has created longer response times and a large backlog of cases that sometimes take weeks to resolve. A number of services are available online at
www.uc.pa.gov.
Claimants who have filed an initial claim in mid-March who have not received a PIN should contact the Department of Labor and Industry as soon as possible. The same guidance applies to individuals who tried to re-open an existing claim in mid-March and are still listed as “inactive” when they try to file a bi-weekly claim.
If you reside in Senator Mensch District, please contact the Red Hill office at 215-541-2388. If you reside outside of the district, please
contact your home Senator.
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Pa. House sends its plan for reactivating the state's economy to Senate for consideration
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Home Tutoring Services
With schools now resorting to virtual classrooms, are you worried about your child falling behind in their math? Even if schools are closed until the end of the school-year, LEARNING CAN'T STOP!
We are here to help! Discover how we can provide face-to-face interactive math instruction and meet your child's math needs with Mathnasium @Home.
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An 8 Week FREE Summer Program to Help Businesses Grow by Ursinus College
May 26 - July 17
The program pays stipends for students to provide digital marketing support to 10 select businesses for 8 weeks during the summer, free of charge.
Application deadline extended to April 24, 2020
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Donations Needed at Daily Bread Community Food Pantry
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Due to COVID-19, the number of families we support has grown considerably.
CURRENT NEEDS:
Any canned meat, cereal, juice, tomato products, spaghetti sauce, juice, jelly, and canned pastas. We also need personal care items: baby wipes, bars of soap, laundry/dish soap, tissues, and any cleaning products. For many of our families your donations are a lifeline. If they do not get it here they must go without! Thank you everyone for your kindness and support!
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20% off at Escape Trappe!
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(Coming soon..."Among Thieves", Escape Trappe's 4th room!)
Escape Trappe,130 W. Main Street, Trappe. 610-489-3877.
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Eden Day Spa - Gift Card Sale
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Now through April 16th, receive 15% off for gift card purchases of $50 or more at Eden Day Spa and Salon.
Order online
.
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Shop Local - Toys for All Ages
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Learning Express - Collegeville has some great news for you! One of our favorite vendors will ship directly to you (and don't worry, they'll reward us too!). Until we are allowed to legally/safely work in our store and deliver toys, this is a great option! Receive 5% off your order and FREE SHIPPING!
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April 15, 2020 @ 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Delos Inc
and SCORE Montgomery County present Webinar "Time Saving Tips for Social Media and Digital Marketing". Do you know that 43% of small businesses dedicate six or more hours per week to social media? While it's important to engage for social visibility and key connections online, we all want to do more in less time. This session will help you save time while still getting results from your digital marketing efforts.
Click here for details and registration
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All members of business community welcome to participate in in Coronanomics II
More panelists have been added!
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April 15, 2020 @ 12:00pm - 1:00pm
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Webinar
Time Saving Tips for Social Media and Digital Marketing
Do you know that 43% of small businesses dedicate six or more hours per week to social media? While it’s important to engage for social visibility and key connections online, we all want to do more in less time.
This session will help you save time while still getting results from your digital marketing efforts.
Presented by Donna Botti,
Delos Inc and SCORE Montgomery County.
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PWC Plant Sale May 1st - May 31st
Picku up orders May 9th - 31st
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Beautify your yard and protect your local environment with native plants.
The native plant sale has gone virual!
More info
- From more information about plants you are likely to find during the sale visit our Native Plant Sale Guide Booklet.
- Over 130 different native plant species including flowering perennials, ferns, vines, and grasses in 4 inch pots. Prices start at $4.00 per plant.
- Wide selection of PA native trees and shrubs from Behmerwald Nursery
- Staggered and scheduled plant order pick-up times. Pick-up timing is selected while ordering. Plants are to be picked-up from 2020 Schultz Road, Lansdale, PA 19446 during your scheduled pick-up time.
- Advice from Conservancy staff is still available! Email our Conservationist, Beth, for assistance: bmyers@perkiomenwatershed.org
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The Perkiomen Creek Sojourn
Schwenksville to Oaks
Traditional: June 6th @ 9:00 am
Virtual: Choose Your Date
Traditional or Virtual, the Sojourn is ON! Go with the group on June 6, or choose a virtual adventure and pick your own date. This is our version of a choose-your-own-adventure and one that you can do any day or time. When you register for the virtual option, we'll mail you one of our bright and shiny waterproof Paddler's Guides, AND we'll send you a link to our Perkiomen Creek Video Series. These videos will give you all the info you need to paddle safely down the creek. Wait... there's more... send us a photo of you and your socially-distanced paddling crew and we'll send you the official Perkiomen Sojourn T-Shirt... so avoid the crowded trails and hit the open water!!
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May 30, 2020 @ 12:00pm - 4:00pm
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The
2020 PV Art and Food Truck Festival
will host a wide range of artists and vendors from within and outside of the Perkiomen Valley community. Our event is open to professional and student painters, woodworkers, ceramists, jewelry designers, photographers, fiber artists, etc.
We believe the arts in our community fosters social connection that bonds people.
The Berman booth will be in the main venue area "where the artistic process comes alive" with our demonstrating students, professional artists, and our K-12 Art gallery. They will also select the Best of Show Awards for the student art featured in our K-12 gallery.
PV High School Campus, 509 Gravel Pike, Collegeville
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September 6, 2020 @ 12:00pm - 5:00pm
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MUSIC ON MAIN,
ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 4TH HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2020.
Plans are underway to celebrate our 150th Anniversary and the opening of
Ursinus College's
new Commons building by turning Main Street into a festival venue, featuring more than 25 performances and something for everyone - rock & roll, pop, classical, jazz, country, R&B, rap, theater, dance, puppets and more than a few surprises.
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September 10, 2020 @ 6:00pm - 9:30pm
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THE EVENT SCHEDULED ON APRIL 23RD HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020!
Integrate for Good
is excited to present our Community Heroes 2020 Gala at Talamore Country Club. Our Night at the Races will have you on the edge of your seat, cheering for your horses as we recreate the excitement of the race track! Bet with "funny money" and win fabulous prizes and raffles baskets!
You won't want to miss our nationally-acclaimed keynote speaker,
Rohan Murphy
. Seen on ABC's 20/20, in Sports Illustrated and featured in his own Nike ad, Rohan's story is one you will be talking about long after our event!
Proceeds from our Community Heroes 2020 Gala will benefit Integrate for Good and our Opening Doors on Campus initiatives at Ursinus College, Montgomery County Community College, Temple Ambler and Gwynedd Mercy University.
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September 19, 2020 @ 9:00am
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Lenape Challenge - New Date!
In keeping with the
Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy's
mission, this unique race celebrates the connection between land and water.5 miles on the trail plus 2+ miles on the creek
Two-person Team Race -OR- Solo Challenge
Location: Start at The Conservancy
Check-in opens: 7:30 am
Event start: 9:00 am
High-water date*: September 26
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After 56 years of representing his company, State Farm Agent Larry Hoak, has decided to retire October 31st!
Property for Sale or Lease:
Office building with rented apartment on top at 363 E. Main Street, Collegeville.
Apartment building, 361 E. Main Street Collegeville (next door) has two residential apartments and a 3rd room commercial occupancy in the front
For more information, contact Paul Roberto at Weichert Realty 610-804-3218.
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We want to share YOUR upcoming events in E-News and Community Calendar.
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The PV Chamber Board of Directors encourages you to forward this email to friends and associates. For membership information contact Renee Blomstrom, Executive Director.
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521 W Main Street, Suite 103 | Trappe, PA 19426
Telephone:
(610) 489-6660
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FAX: (610) 454-1270
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