COVID-19 Update June 23rd
Poster for Your Window
If you need a poster for your business, please feel free to use this one. We attempted to use the same color scheme as the state's posters.


Smize To -Spread Positivity
Are you smiling behind your mask? Then your eyes must be reflecting your expression and that is called Smizing. Yep, it is a real thing. Tyra Banks made The Smize famous on the runway and there are tons of videos about it on YouTube.

The mask debate has put our business community in the crossfire. We are very concerned about the effects of business shaming and threatened boycotts of entire cities of businesses.

We need your help to remind our fellow residents that behind those businesses are real people with families, payroll to meet, health to protect and a community to support.

So let's have some fun with a purpose. Practice your "smize" and join us on Monday, June 29th - by using your social media and post a photo of you, your staff or your family striking a pose wearing a face covering and smiling with your eyes. Caption your photo with something positive about your business. Remind our residents and visitors that our business community is not an inanimate object and that you need their support.
Hint: When smizing it helps to think about chocolate cake.
Help to Hire Services
Reboot, Recover, Rebuild - Help is on the way for small businesses as they face continuing challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. Reboot, Recover, Rebuild (R3) is a new program! Small Business Centers across the state have been awarded a special allotment of discretionary funds to help our small business owners with in-depth counseling and service support specific to their needs. Availability is limited and is offered on a first come, first served basis. More Information Here . or call (910) 755-7306.
COVID-19
Financial Recovery Corner
Managing Financial Difficulty Checklist - The SBDTC can assist businesses with updated cash flow projections. Click here for the Checklist For Managing In Times of Financial Difficulty. If you have any questions or would like some FREE assistance contact Diane Lantz, EDFP Business Counselor at SBTDC (910) 962-2869 or visit their website for resources.

Grants and Loans - These are worth repeating.
LISC's Rapid Relief & Recovery Fund During this COVID 19 crisis, they are offering assistance to small businesses in the form of Small Business Relief Grants. This one is worth bookmarking and checking back every week since new rounds of grants start periodically and you must reapply each round.

Hello Alice COVID-19 Business For All Emergency Grants - Apply for grants up to $50,000 to support business growth, including $10,000 emergency COVID-19 Business for All Grants to help small businesses in crisis.

New Opportunity- MBE Capital Partners this information comes from the BCC Small Business Center . Magic Johnson made a $100 million dollar donation to support minority and women owned businesses through PPP loans.

SBA EIDL Loan & Advance - The SBA has reopened applications for any business including independent contractors who would like to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan. BCC SBC shared this Forbes document with tips for completing the process. The EIDL has an advance "grant" in the amount of $1,000 per employee up to $10,000.
Count on Me Provides Training for Staff & Managers
Count On Me NC - As North Carolina’s restaurants, hotels, attractions and shops reopen, Count On Me NC is a public health initiative that empowers guests and businesses to help keep everyone safe from COVID-19. Become a Count On Me NC business by taking COVID-19 training developed by public health officials. Course is quick and full of good information. Encourage your employees to take the course and post your Count On Me NC sticker in your window.
Resources for Masks
Consider ordering your supply of masks from your fellow Chamber member. Some of our gift shops have been selling some great looking face coverings but if you need mass quantities consider contacting a fellow member specialty shop. They have access to disposable to personal logo masks and gators.

Brandall - 910-457-5117

C & R Silkscreen - (919) 732-9712 ext. 21

Drummond Press - (904) 354-2818

New Hanover Printing - (910) 763-5599

Pioneer Specialties - (910) 399-6893

SeaWay Printing - (910) 457-6158
US Chamber of Commerce Resource Center
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has an extensive resource center for any small business. We encourage you to visit the Save Small Business Resource Center . Included in this resource are access to the past recordings of Wednesday Workshops - topics like Keeping Your Customer Engaged, Protecting Your Business From Cyber Threats.
Is the Census Really That Important?
According to a recent statistic from the Brunswick County 2020 Census Group and
per the census, every person not counted equates to $1,823.00 of Federal and State money not appropriated to the county level in the form of school funding, grants, Health & Human Services programs, roads, etc. This is $1,823.00 per year. That is $18,230.00 per person over the 10 year period until the next census.

We encourage you to stress the importance of completing the Census with your staff, friends and relatives. If they receieved their questionaire by mail, did not respond and can't find it - Go to my2020census.gov. Select the link that says, "If you do not have a Census ID, click here." It is located below the Census ID login field
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Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce
4433 Long Beach Road, SE
Southport, North Carolina 28461
info@southport-oakisland.com
910.457-6964
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