MEMBER CONNECT
May 5, 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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On behalf of all of us here at chamber central, I’d like to extend a heart-felt thank you to so many of you who have managed to work through the disruption and unprecedented circumstances during these past weeks. We know you’re problem-solving your way to stay in business even as you look forward to getting back to business. A standing ovation to our frontline employers and workers - grocers, healthcare workers, production, distribution, transportation, and the many community non-profit organizations taking care of our more vulnerable community members.
As plans to reopen Oregon business emerge, we ask you to keep an eye on opportunities to stay connected, informed, and engaged. We have our sights squarely set on what’s ahead: keeping our community healthy and reopening our economy. Continue to watch for communications from us with updates and check our
COVID-19 Business Resource hub
. And, if you haven’t already, scroll through our newly launched
Advocacy and Elections Page
to keep up to date on our local elections.
Stay healthy and stay strong. Remember, we’re still just a phone call away.
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-Vonnie Mikkelsen, President and CEO
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Business Bootcamp LIVE
Wednesday May 13, Wednesday May 20, & Wednesday May 27
Virtual Zoom Webinars - FREE for Members
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Join The Springfield Chamber ONLINE for All 3 Sessions of Business Boot Camp this month!
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SESSION 1:
Wednesday, May 13
How to Reopen: Tips for relaunching your business in a changing world
Robert Killen, Lane SBDC
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SESSION 2:
Wednesday, May 20
Best Practices for a Secure Remote Workforce
Brought to you by Partnered Solutions IT
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SESSION 3:
Wednesday, May 27
Mental Health and Wellness Discussion for Business
Roger Brubaker, Lane County Public Health
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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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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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Virtual Town Hall About Governor’s Plan to Reopen
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Join
Oregon State Representative John Lively
and colleagues from the Eugene/Springfield area for a virtual town hall where staff from the Governor’s office will discuss the current plan for reopening the state.
The event is TODAY, Tuesday May 5 from 5 - 6:30 pm.
If you would like to participate, please
fill out this form
(link below)
to RSVP and reserve a spot. If you have questions you would like to have addressed, please submit them in advance via the form (if you think of a question later, you can always email Representative John Lively at
rep.johnlively@oregonlegislature.gov
)
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In Your Words
Oregon Businesses Respond to COVID-19
Local Chambers of Commerce have collected nearly 200 personal stories from Oregon businesses and non-profits that have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. These local businesses shared their challenges accessing federal stimulus dollars, impacts to their workforce, and issues they anticipate in reopening when the "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order is eventually lifted.
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The stories being collected are part of an effort by the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce to collect unfiltered and real feedback from local businesses to help policymakers both understand what's happening to local businesses and adopt policies that hit the mark in helping with recovery.
Governor Kate Brown recently announced that she is considering a sector-specific strategy to reopen Oregon. The Governor and state legislature needs to hear from impacted businesses today to secure the support they need to reopen and recover.
Share your story by taking the survey 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 12th, 8:00am, Zoom Conference
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A recording from last Tuesday's committee meeting can be viewed below. Sarah Means, Regional Solutions Coordinator for the Governors Office presented on the draft reopening framework for Oregon.
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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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2020 Economic Development Week
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Created by the International Economic Development Council in 2016, the goal of Economic Development Week (EDW) is to increase awareness for local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities and increase the quality of life in communities everywhere. Economic Development Week includes activities in communities large and small designed to highlight the importance of economic development and the good work that economic developers do every day.
To celebrate economic development week, the IEDC is offering a number of free webinars and salon discussions.
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COVID-19 CARES Act Updates
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The second round of applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) reopened last week. The EIDL portal is open, HOWEVER the SBA is only accepting applications from agricultural businesses. 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 US Chamber + Inc. National Town Hall for more information and a robust Q&A on the PPP, EIDL, Main Street Lending Program, and Employee Retention Tax Credits.
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The Oregon Employment Department is now 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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With Mother's Day coming up this Sunday, May 10th, we've decided to list some local businesses you can help support in this time while showing appreciation for the wonderful women in our lives. See some of our picks below!
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Preorder Mothers Day Brunch from
Sheild Cafe!
Call
541-968-24
03 or order online.
Menu: quiche loraine, house made breakfast sausage, fruit plate, cheese and charcuterie plate, & strawberry basil shortcake. Vegetarian and Gluten Free substitutes available. And don’t forget to check out their awesome add-ons like fresh squeezed orange juice, handmade cinnamon rolls and strawberry, Oregon hazelnut and goat cheese salad!
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Buy her a beautiful flower arrangement from
The Flower Market Inc
or
Chase Flowers & Gifts!
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There is still time to order online from
Euphoria Chocolate Company
for delivery, and to call or curbside pick-up or in-town delivery!
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Make sure to send out your letters and packages ASAP through
UPS
to ensure they get delivered in time!
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Looking for a fun DIY kit to do at home?
Board & Brush
is offering DIY Wood Signs, @ Home Kits! The kits include everything you need for a beautiful sign for your home - this is a great gift idea! Delivery or curbside pickup is available.
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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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An informed, coordinated reopening is the only way. Let’s make it happen.
It has now been more than a month since any of us have dined out, gotten a haircut, dropped the kids off at school, visited a gym, or done hundreds of other daily activities—ones that we never imagined we were taking for granted.
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THE FUTURE OF COMMUNITY DESIGN: The Hyperlocal Support Small Businesses Need to Recover
It may be tempting, in coping with revenue losses brought on by the pandemic, for governments to reduce funding for community economic-development organizations, but it would be short-sighted.
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Economic First Responders: Three Ways Economic Development Organizations Mitigate the COVID-19 Economic Crisis
The COVID-19 public health crisis has triggered a significant economic downturn in a matter of weeks. In the interest of public health, state and local governments nationwide have forced “nonessential” businesses to shut their doors, and as businesses in the retail trade, personal services, and food and accommodation sectors temporarily close, unemployment has skyrocketed.
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Advertising Opportunities Available
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The Bottom Line
is The Springfield Chamber's fully online magazine! As a web-based publication the format is searchable, tag-able and shareable. The content is easily viewed on all devices, from mobile to PC. In addition, the Chamber is able to publish content throughout the month, creating a more responsive opportunity for member businesses to share their stories, information and events.
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Consider placing an advertisement in
The Bottom Line.
The content is relevant to business owners like yourself and our readership is growing fast!
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Place your ad today!
Contact Judy at
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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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