Mid-Week Updates from Your Guam Chamber
Hafa Adai and Happy Summer, Members!
As Governor Leon Guerrero slowly lifts restrictions and more businesses are allowed to open doors it is so important that we continue to support our local companies to help them stay in business. As we have seen in the past few weeks, some businesses have closed shop, some have consolidated locations, some have developed cooperative agreements with other businesses and many have diversified their products and services to keep their doors open. Thank you for your support which is essential in helping to restore our local economy.

Your Guam Chamber recently sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump to seek his support in providing an e xemption for Guam and the CNMI in reference to his recently signed Proclamation 10014 , which extends the temporary suspension of all foreign work visas into the United States until December 31, 2020. Our main concern with the President’s extension of Proclamation 10014 is how it already impacts construction related work, especially as it relates to the realignment of forces to the Marianas Islands. Guam has had an enduring need to supplement our construction workforce requirements, specifically during times of peak construction. Click to read the Chamber's letter.

If your business is still in need of a financial boost and you haven't taken advantage of US SBA' s PPP program, please remember that the deadline for all applications is Tuesday, June 30th. On June 15, SBA began accepting new  EIDL and EIDL Advance applications from qualified small businesses and U.S. agricultural businesses. Additionally, the Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA) still has funds available in their Small Business Pandemic Assistance Grant Program. If your company is interested in learning more about the program, you may want to consider attending this Friday's webinar with GEDA's CEO & Administrator, Melanie Mendiola. Please scroll down for details and registration information.

We invite our island community to join the Guam Visitors Bureau in the #GiveUsAMoment Island wide beautification event this Saturday, June 27th. All are invited to do their part to spruce up their businesses, homes, villages and their surrounding areas - lets do our part to keep our island beautiful and litter free. Na' La' Bonita Guam!

As we work collaboratively to rebuild and reshape our economy, we thank you for your feedback and comments throughout the emergency situation. We appreciate all your efforts and suggestions. YOU are the reason our island is able to lift restrictions. As we look forward to the days ahead we encourage you to continue to send your ideas because we need them. We ask you to continue to join us in practicing sanitation protocols so we can continue to move ahead of this crisis.

Onward Together!

Catherine Castro
President
Send In Your Nominations!
For many years, the Guam Chamber of Commerce recognized individuals, organizations and companies that made a difference in the beautification of our island. This recognition will spotlight a business, an individual or organization that has made significant improvements to a building, an area, a site or has created a meaningful and effective beautification effort, please submit a nomination form to the Guam Chamber of Commerce.

Some questions and thoughts to consider in writing up the nomination could include:
  • Information about what improvements were made
  • What unique ideas or innovations were implemented?
  • Were there environmental issues at the site and how were the concerns addressed?
  • Who made the improvements?
  • Did the improvements involve the use of local plants, trees and flowers?
  • How did the project help to beautify our village/ our island?

The benefits of a beautiful area makes a big difference for all our residents and visitors alike. Help us to recognize those that make a positive difference in our community by keeping our island clean and beautiful. Na' La Bonita Guam!
The volunteer sign up portal is still open at https://bit.ly/GUAMBeautificationVolunteers .
GVB
GVB launches
#GiveUsAMoment, Together
Calling all GYP Members!
Help us clean our little place at the Sirena Park and Aspinall Avenue in Hagåtña!

Our annual GYP clean up will take place on Saturday, July 25, 2020 , from 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Join us as we take pride and make a difference in our community! Na' La' Bonita Guam!

Pandemic Assistance Grant Program Update with GEDA
Presenters:
Melanie Mendiola
Chief Executive Officer / Administrator

Cost: FREE [ Registration Required ]
When: Friday, June 26, 2020, 10:00 a.m.
Upcoming Webinar: Save the Date!
Friday, July 17, 2020 • 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Preparing for Reopening —
Re-establishing the Work Value and Employee Job Satisfaction

Presenter:
Toshie Ito
Proprietor, Motiva Training & Consulting
In case you missed this:
USDA Guidance on the New Business & Industry (B&I) CARES Act Program for Guam and Saipan webinar was held on Friday, June 19th. Feel free to click the link and get up to speed on how your business can take advantage of loan guarantees for rural development and agricultural production.

For previous webinars, please visit our YouTube page.
Government of Guam Updates
Business Community Updates
Payment Plans Available for Businesses
GPA and GWA Customers experiencing financial hardship are urged to make payment arrangements to maintain continuity of your utility service by June 30, 2020.

Are You Registered to Vote?
If you would like to know if you are registered to vote in this year's elections click here

If you would like to vote but are not registered to vote, you can register online at the Guam Election Commission's website . You will need to have either a valid Guam Drivers License or Guam identification card to register electronically. Click here to register to vote.

Dates to remember:
  • Guam Primary Election: Saturday, August 29, 2020 [Polls open: 7 am - 8 pm]
  • General Election: Tuesday, November 3, 2020 [Polls open: 7 am - 8 pm]
The Guam Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is offering  free  live webinars e very Tuesday & Thursday in June!

 Webinars run from 10am-11am and will be conducted via Zoom. Links to the live webinar and the webinar evaluation will be emailed to all registered attendees 15 minutes before the start of the webinar.

Don't miss out on great training opportunities from the Guam Small Business Development Center as well! View their upcoming virtual webinar schedule and learn how the SBDC can our local small businesses!

Review the latest from the U.S. Small Business Administration:
Guam Chamber of Commerce
472-6311• info@GuamChamber.com.gu