e-NEWS
Thank you to our E-NEWS Sponsors!
A Message From The Chamber Office
Dear Chamber Members and Friends,

Today marks the start of National Nurses Week , to celebrate and honor those who serve the U.S. health care system. We recognize and honor the people that serve the healthcare system, especially during the coronavirus outbreak, as they risk their lives to save others ! Please take the time to thank any nurses and healthcare workers you know!

Thank you to our community banks that are working with local business owners to provide guidance and support to help secure grants and loans through the CARE's Act. We are hearing from small businesses that received funds through the first round of PPP and EIDL loans and grants. SBA opened a second round of funding this week. Please be aware of scams targeting small business owners during these already challenging times. The SBA offers some guidance regarding how they work and what activities should throw up a red flag warning you that you should suspect fraud.

We were happy to see golf courses, marinas, and private campgrounds reopen on May 1st. Additionally, all businesses in the construction industry in the Commonwealth were permitted to resume in-person operations starting Friday, May 1st and must follow Construction Industry COVID-19 Disaster Emergency Guidelines . An updated list of business types that may continue physical operations can be found on the Governor's life-sustaining business guidance to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

For many members, in-person meetings and networking opportunities are a huge benefit of their Chamber membership. We are developing new programs and promotional opportunities to support our members and address the challenges of doing business while remaining at least 6 feet apart! Future webinars will feature industry experts that will answer questions and provide guidance and opportunities for our community members. Please contact the Chamber with suggestions for webinar topics, or to request information about sponsorship and guest speaker opportunities . In addition, we are looking for business that would like to donate gift cards for a Shop Local Campaign coming soon!

Membership Renewals: To provide relief to our members, we deferred billing the April 1st membership renewals and extended renewal due date to July 1st. In addition, we will offer new payment plans and COVID-19 discounts. Members will receive an email with more details in the weeks to come.

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!
We invite businesses to share resource links and provide us with updates to any changes to your services, business hours and more to share with our follower on enews, social media and COVID-19 Resource page.

Many of our restaurants, flower shops and retailers are offering curbside pickup for Mother's Day gifts . Please shop local !


Sincerely, 

Renee Blomstrom
Executive Director
renee@pvchamber.net 
610-489-6660
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
Self-employed, independent contractors, gig workers, and others not eligible for regular unemployment compensation can begin filing claims for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).

CARES Act Information and Resources
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COVID & THE WORKPLACE
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Live Streaming of Senate Hearing Meetings
Many aspects of the Wolf Administration’s response to COVID-19 have been questioned and criticized since mitigation measures first began in Pennsylvania in March. The Senate is holding a series of hearings this week to examine many of the questions that have been raised over the past two months:




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
Support Small Business, Friends and Neighbors!
Shop Local!
Small business is the backbone of our regional economy. Please look for ways to support these businesses during the pandemic. Please visit the  Chamber Directory  for a complete list of members.
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.  
Supplies Needed for Phoenixville Hospital
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. 
Montgomery County Gift Card Program
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
Welcome New Members!
The following organizations joined the PV Chamber this year! 
 Click on a business name for more information. 
All Current PV Chamber Members can be found in the Directory on our Website
Do you want that special graduation picture but cannot get a professional portrait done because of the stay-at-home guidelines?

This is where Scillia Photography can help. We can safely give you the graduation picture you want. See our website for more information.


COVID-19 Resource Hubs
Montgomery County Resource Hub
Follow the protocols posted on Montgomery County's COVID-19 data hub
Montgomery County officials in partnership with local donors today are announcing that $212,000 has been awarded to 63 nonprofit organizations through the MontCoPA COVID-19 Response Fund.  Read more.
PV Chamber COVID-19 Resource Hub
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

SBA Announced Round 2 of PPP
The  Paycheck Protection Program  is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. Round 2 of paychecks protection program opened Monday, April 27th and funds are expected to run out this week. Contact your lender for assistance.
The Bright Side :)
Now more than ever, we love sharing stories of great things happening in our community, reflective thoughts and positive vibes. 

Employment Opportunities
Touching Hearts at Home is Hiring
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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MONTCO ECONOMIC & WORKFORCE RESPONSE TEAM
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. 

Survey Link :  https://arcg.is/1ryu5  
US Census
As of 4/22/20, the countywide response rate was 61.2%. You can view the latest response rate at the county and community level here.   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! 
Transportation Updates
An 18-day detour is planned for Swamp Pike beginning Monday, April 20, 2020
Ridge Swamp Associates, LP is planning to close Swamp Pike between Kugler Road and Ridge Pike in Limerick on April 20, through Friday, May 8, for excavation and paving operations, according to PennDOT.
During the closure, Swamp Pike motorists will be detoured over Kugler Road and Ridge Pike. Local access will be maintained up to the work zone. All scheduled activities are weather dependent.
Montgomery County
Round 2 Funding Announced!
The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners announced that they are making available $5,000,000 in economic development funds to provide grants to eligible small businesses in Montgomery County for Round 2 of the MontcoStrong Small Business Grant Program. Round 2 of the program has been updated from prior funding and updated guidelines, updated program FAQ, and additional information are available on the program webpage , Links to the program webpage can also be found on the County’s COVID-19 data hub and our Commerce Department’s homepage.  

For Round 2 applications will be accepted online beginning at 10am on Wednesday, May 13th, 2020 and the application window will close at approximately 6pm on Wednesday, May 13th, 2020.
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Montgomery County Call for Help to Supply PPE

Montgomery County is asking for donations for commercial masks, surgical masks and impervious (waterproof) gowns. Any business that has an interest in or capacity to turn their existing supply chain into the PPE output that the health care industry so desperately needs to please contact Montgomery County Commerce Department by emailing: COVID19@montco.org .
MontcoStrong T-Shirts
MontcoStrong T-Shirts are for sale as a great initiative through our partners at VFTCB . The t-shirt fundraiser is to help support Montgomery County PA’s COVID-19 Response Fund, which was recently established to support local relief efforts in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The t-shirts can be purchased here 
MontcoStrong Small Business Grant Program 
Round 1 Update

Awards have been announced for the MontcoStrong Small Business Grant Program. Several PV Chamber members were awarded grants! Information on the grant awards can found here . Applicants that did not receive an award will be sent notification from the County via Constant Contact email. The County is evaluating resources available for a new round of funding and/or additional business assistance initiatives. Please check this site regularly for updates and watch the daily briefings from the Board of Commissioners for all the latest information on how Montgomery County is addressing the COVID-19 Global Pandemic.
Member News
Face Masks
Members of Trinity Reformed Church United Church of Christ in Collegevillle are making cloth face masks from donated materials. Email Trinity at trinityucc1854@gmail.com for contactless pickup of a FREE mask in Collegeville. Please indicate number of persons for whom a mask is needed, gender if important, and, if children, their age so we can choose a mask that fits.
If requesting on behalf of an organization or company, please email us with organization/company name, address, telephone number, and name of a contact person.
NO payment is required to obtain masks. We are simply neighbors helping neighbors. 
Rev. Suzanne Schwarz-Green, Trinity Reformed Church UCC, 532 East Main Stree, Collegeville, PA 19426
Tel. 610.489.4223
422 Businss Advisor May Edition
PVCC Member, Patriot Pest Solutions , is featured on the cover of May's edition of 422 Business Advisor. Patriot Pest Solutions is a family-run, full-service pest control company located in Trappe, PA. Denice and James Harrison are committed to providing the highest level of education, customer service and customized support for their commercial and residential customers. Click on the link above to read the 422 Business Advisor article, or visit PPS website at www.patriotpestsolutions.net/
Order Ahead Meals
Order Home Style Comfort Food for a delicious meals available for pickup on Wednesdays and Fridays. Let Chef Sodiah Thomas, S&B Events Concepts and Catering do the cooking! Order form and details: www.snbevents.com/events or call 267-263-2616. 
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20% off at Escape Trappe!
Escape Trappe - all   gift vouchers 20% off and never expire. Use discount code "lockdown20"
(Coming soon..."Among Thieves", Escape Trappe's 4th room!)
To learn more visit  www.escapetrappe.com  and remember to enter code LOCKDOWN20 at checkout.
Escape Trappe,130 W. Main Street, Trappe. 610-489-3877. 






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.
Donations Needed at Daily Bread Community Food Pantry
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!

Shop Local - Toys for All Ages
Learning Express - Collegeville is offering curbside pickup. Place your order online for next day 100% contactless curbside pickup.
Mother's Day Flowers
The food pantry collection trailer will be at  Risher Van Horn  till Thursday. The hour's are from noon till 5pm. A great place to get your mom those special flowers for mother's day. Get your flowers for mother's day and you can drop off your can goods for the  Daily Bread Community Food Pantry . A great community coming together for a great cause. Thank you very much.
Risher Van Horn, 3760 Germantown Pike, Collegeville
THANK YOU Plus 1 Technology!

This month, Plus 1 Technology will be promoting their non-profit customers with social media posts highlighting their service to the community. Understanding that these stressful times are magnified for those less fortunate in our community, especially organizations that rely on donations and fundraisers, Plus 1 Technology has also extended a special discount to approved non-profit customers.
Plus 1 Technology provides computer sales and service, cloud solutions, security products, networking, document management, virus removal, remote and onsite support, and more.
Nothing bundt Cakes
May 1st Re-Opening!
We are excited to announce that on May1st Nothing bundt Cakes at Providence Towne Center will reopen, offering contactless curbside pickup. Local delivery available with a minimum purchase of $22.

New Hours of Operation are Noon - 5pm Tuesday thru Saturday

610-989-CAKE or order online
PWC Plant Sale May 1st - May 31st
Picku up orders May 9th - 31st


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
Phoenixville Hospital - Tower Health Webinar
Effectively Managing Stress
May 7th @ 7pm

Join us for our Healthy Woman: Staying Home and Staying Sane virtual event The Energy of Thought: Effectively Managing Stress, featuring Penny Zenker, Interactive Motivational Speaker and Best-Selling Author on Thursday, May 7, from 7 to 8 p.m.

This program will take place online. Registration is required. For more information or to register, visit: https://bit.ly/2L0Rf6U

Upon registration, you will receive an email invitation and link the day of the program to join us virtually.
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!!

Music on Main
September 6, 2020 @ 12:00pm - 5:00pm
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.
Lily Laser Gift Card Sale & Mini Facials!

A gift anyone would Love!!! Gift certificates 15% off for Gift Certificates up to $150, 20% off for
Gift Certificates over $150. BUY NOW Apply the code: OFF15/20 to get discount on checkout.
Gift Certificates can not be applied to any Doctor services
We also have custom facial kits available for curbside pickup or delivery. Click on the link below for details:
September 10, 2020 @ 6:00pm - 9:30pm
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. 

Sign up for a Sponsorship! Donate a raffle prize! Place an ad in our program! Buy your tickets!  Be part of our inclusive community. Integrate for Good can't wait to celebrate with you. 
September 19, 2020 @ 9:00am
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
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
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. 
We want to share YOUR upcoming events in E-News and Community Calendar.
Pass It On
The PV Chamber Board of Directors encourages you to forward this email to friends and associates. For membership information contact Renee Blomstrom, Executive Director. 
 
521 W Main Street, Suite 103 | Trappe, PA 19426
Telephone:  (610) 489-6660 | FAX: (610) 454-1270