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Weekly Newsletter & updates
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
The Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber of Commerce will be working remotely until further notice to follow the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health departments.

Our members will be able to stay updated on the chamber website, regarding COVID-19, new assistance programs that are available to all businesses and the new requirements to file for unemployment.

The chamber has suspended all committee meetings and events.

The chambers goal is to have a fully functioning and flexible operation that allows them to serve their members and protect the health and well-being of their team. We are not changing the business we do, but how to do it over a short term.

To help reduce the spread of the coronavirus, the chamber believes all employers should implement strategies to protect their workforce from COVID-19, while continuing operations.

The staff can still be reached by email, via our Facebook or on our website, www.scottsbluffgering.net . Contact information is listed below:

Karen Anderson – [email protected]

Jodi Lewellen – [email protected]

Shada Robinson (Bookkeeping) – [email protected]
We have added a page to our website that is devoted to sharing resources to assist our community as we navigate through the challenges COVID-19 presents. We will update it on a regular basis, as more information comes available. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to our office with any questions you may have!
Paycheck Protection Program 2.0
For those of you that did not get funding from the Paycheck Protection Program the first go around, I would highly suggest that you fill out the application now with your bank or CPA for PPP 2.0. They made it very clear last time that you need your 2019 schedule C, one line only, 31. Take that divided by 12, times 2.5, that is the funding. Have your schedule C ready to go. This is going to go fast. If your bank did not get this done for you last go around, get in their ear now. The biggest difference between 1.0 and 2.0, small businesses and sole proprietors will be able to start at the same time as all of the other business and not wait the full 7 days.
 
Out of the $310 billion, $60 billion has been set aside for small banks that will work with the small businesses that will give those small businesses, sole proprietors and independent contractors a fighting chance to get the funding that they desperately need as well as starting on the same day. This is going to go lightning fast. Good luck!
 
Here is a link for the Economic Injury Disaster Recovery Loan (EIDL), through the SBA. You can apply for both. https://www.forbes.com/sites/allbusiness/2020/04/22/newly-expanded-sba-grant-program-faqs/#433f50383fc4

Panhandle Business & Employer Update
Please register for COVID-19 Panhandle Update to Businesses & Employers on May 14, 2020 12:00 PM MDT at:
 
 
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
COVID-19 Information and Links
*These links are also available on the chamber website under COVID-19 Resources
Grow Nebraska
Grow Nebraska is offering some great training for businesses in ecommerce and google skills. You will need to be registered to attend. Check out their options:
GROW Nebraska's FREE Online Training Starting an Online Business: Tips and Tricks

May 21st Noon - 1:00 p.m. CST
GROW Nebraska Presents: Get Your Local Business on Google Search and Maps

May 28th Noon - 1:00 p.m. CST
There are others listed here though many are for GROW Member:

COVID-19 COMMUNITY COMPASSION FUND
 
United Way of Western Nebraska has launched a relief fund, the COVID-19 Community Compassion Fund, to help organizations and individuals most in need of assistance. United Way of Western Nebraska is now accepting donations to this fund with 100% of the funds raised granted to nonprofits in our service area. As is the tradition of United Way of Western Nebraska (UWWN), funds raised in UWWN’s specific service areas remain in those areas to support non-profit organizations with a focus of helping people. 
Process
 
An Ad Hoc Advisory Committee has been formed with community leaders from Alliance, Chadron and the Scottsbluff area that are working with United Way to advise on the direction and implementation of support to address the needs in the community. The committee will administer grants from the fund in phases to help address immediate needs and short-term and longer-term impacts of the outbreak and recovery.

Funding Priorities
This fund provides nonprofit organizations with flexible resources to address the impact of the COVID-19 public health crisis on our community or other publicly declared crisis, including immediate basic needs, gaps in service, and operational challenges. Preference will be given to the provision of direct services in this context. Funding Applications are available on the United Way of Western Nebraska website at uwwn.org under the COVID-19 Resources tab.
 
Our Commitment to the Community
Throughout this process, United Way of Western Nebraska is committed to:
  • Developing a central pool of funds nonprofits can access for support throughout the crisis.
  • Listening to our community partners to help determine the most pressing emergency needs and their impact.
  • Working cooperatively with other organizations to help assess and help to address immediate needs and longer-term needs beyond the grant.
  • An expedited process for the distribution of COVID-19 Community Compassion Fund grants.
  • Reporting how and where COVID-19 Community Compassion Fund grants are utilized, using the same level of diligence as we do with all of our granting processes.

Additional Information:
  • Grants from the COVID-19 Community Compassion Fund are made possible by a very generous $10,000 lead grant from First National Bank of Omaha.
  • All funds must be spent within the United Way of Western Nebraska service areas.
  • All applications for funding must be related to the impact of COVID-19 public health crisis on our community.
  • Priority given to immediate basic needs (food, rent assistance, utility assistance, etc.). Gaps in services and operational challenges may be addressed if funds are available after basic needs applications have been met or as directed by funder’s donation designation.
 
Together we can make a difference in our community.

Donations can be made to the funds in the following ways:
Online: uwwn.org/covid
Text: UWGIVE to 313131

Checks can be sent to:
United Way of Western Nebraska
COVID-19 Community Compassion Fund
1517 Broadway Suite #106 Scottsbluff, NE 69361

All questions regarding the fund should be directed to
Steph Black at [email protected]
(308) 635-2522
WNCC
CSC Online Undergraduate and Graduate Courses
Rolls & Issues Conference Calls - Postponed
Rolls & Issues Conference Calls with Senator Stinner

Remaining Rolls & Issues Conference Call with Senator Stinner have been put on hold until they resume session. Stay tuned for more information when it becomes available.

If you have any questions please call the Chamber office at 308-632-2133
Upcoming Business After Hours
Western Nebraska Pioneers

Postponed - Date to be determined

800 13th Street
Oregon Trail Park Stadium
Gering
Western Heritage Federal Credit Union

Thursday, June 18, 2020
4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

901 W 29th Street
Scottsbluff
1517 Broadway, Suite 104 | Scottsbluff, NE 69361
308-632-2133 | [email protected]
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