KV Chamber July Newsletter

Insider Newsletter

Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce

KennebecValleyChamber.com

July 2020

Stage 3 of the Plan to Restart Maine's Economy

The third phase of Governor Mill's plan to restart Maine's economy begins today, July 1st. Stage 3 contemplates maintaining the prohibition on gatherings of more than 50 people and other Stage 1 and Stage 2 restrictions, including the 14-day quarantine on people entering Maine. With appropriate safety precautions, Stage 3 would allow for some degree of opening for:

Outdoor recreation such as overnight summer camps
Entertainment venues such as movie theaters, indoor and outdoor amusement, and performing arts venues
In-person voting on election day
Personal services such as spas and massage facilities

The Maine Department of Economic & Community Development released the industry-specific checklists for Stage 3 businesses to identify best practices for safely operating business during COVID-19. Please note these checklists may be updated as new information about COVID-19 or safe business practices emerge. Click here to view the checklists .

The KV Chamber has created a webpage to keep our community up-to date on the situation regarding the spread of coronavirus and additional resources.

This is ME Counting on YOU

Here in Maine, we are all in the fight against COVID-19 together. We are counting on each other to be safe, responsible, and to stay healthy. That way, we will beat COVID-19 so Maine can get back to business and all of us can get back to work.

The Maine State Chamber launched This is ME Counting on You campaign to encourage all Mainers to do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The Kennebec Valley Chamber is pleased to help spread the word about this initiative and the importance of following recommended health and safety guidelines and precautions, such as wearing a mask and practicing social distancing. We hope you will help spread the message, too.

To help spread the word and to join the campaign initiative, resources are available on the campaign's website, www.MEcountingonYou.org, including posters and virtual bumper stickers.

The Kennebec Valley Chamber has 12" round floor stickers available at our office. If you would like floor stickers to place in your business, please contact us at info@kennebecvalleychamber.com or by calling (207) 623-4559.

We are all in this together. Following recommended health and safety guidelines is the best way we can support one another, our communities, and you, Maine’s employers, as well as your employees.

10 Tips For How Your Small Business Can Beat COVID-19

with Emma Dimock and Kat Child of Marshall Communications

Tuesday, July 7th | 12:00 - 1:00 PM

FREE Zoom Webinar

The world as we knew it ended, ironically, on Friday, March 13. That was the day that businesses, schools and institutions started to close down due to the global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus. Businesses were impacted in countless negative ways, and the Small Business Administration launched loan and grant programs to prevent massive layoffs. In addition, social injustice started to take a front seat with massive protests related to inequality for people of color and sexual orientation. Now, in June of 2020, as businesses start opening up again, the economy is entering a recession, and for many businesses, the Payroll Protection Act money is running out. It is time for businesses to crawl out of the deep hole created by the pandemic in order to avoid long-lasting damage or even failure. This presentation, by award-winning PR and marketing firm Marshall Communications, will offer ten tips on how to position your business for long-term success.

RSVP

A Zoom conference line will be emailed to a ttendees after registering for the event.

Thank you to our sponsor!

Ways to Support Mental Illness in Your Community

with Jenna Mehnert of NAMI Maine

Wednesday, July 8th | 12:00 - 1:00PM

$20 per person

KV Chamber Members will receive a $10 gift certificate to enjoy lunch on us!

Jenna Mehnert, MSW, serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Maine Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness . Responsible for guiding all program operations, Jenna also operates as the agency’s lobbyist and chief advocate. Having devoted the past 30 years to the fields of child welfare, juvenile justice, rape crisis, domestic violence, substance use, mental health, and criminal justice, Jenna’s career has focused on building responsive services and more impactful systems for underserved populations.

In this webinar, Jenna will provide an overview of how you can support members of your community with their mental illness.

RSVP

IMPORTANT: Attendees must make the full payment prior to the event in order to receive the link to attend the digital event. KV Chamber Members will receive a $10 chamber gift certificate from our Shop Local program to enjoy lunch on us from a participating member!

Thank you to our Women's Network Luncheon Sponsor!

Thursday, July 16th

4:30 - 5:30PM

via Zoom Conference Line

We miss you! Although we are not able to network together face-to-face, we are excited to catch up and network virtually! Our members and guests are invited to join us on Thursday, July 16th from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. for a virtual Business After Hours. Share updates on your business and reconnect with the KV Chamber!

RSVP

A Zoom conference line will be emailed to a ttendees after registering for the event.

Thank you to our Business After Hours Sponsor!

September 14, 2020

The Meadows Golf Club

10:00 AM SHOTGUN START

Team "Scramble"

Registration is $130 per golfer or $520 per foursome

Registration includes:

The Meadows swag and snacks
Greens fees
Cart rental
Lunch on the turn
Entry for closest-to-the-pin
Entry for hole-in-one
Entry for longest drive
Appetizers during the reception

Thank you to our Golf Sponsors!

Major Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Skowhegan Savings

Snack Sponsor

PERFORMANCE Food Service - NorthCenter

Hole Sponsors

Augusta Natural Gas

Smart Eye Care

Sprague & Curtis Real Estate

Walton External Affairs

Sponsorship Opportunities Available

THANK YOU!

The first and second round of 100 Kennebec River Brewfest boxes both sold out in the matter of hours after being released. We can't thank you enough for your unbelievable (and fast!) support of the Kennebec River Brewfest and the Kennebec Valley Chamber. You far exceeded our expectations. We are so proud and fortunate to be a part of the Kennebec Valley community!

For those lucky enough to get a box, a reminder that your box will be ready for pick-up from the Kennebec Valley Chamber’s office Tuesday, July 28th to Friday, July 31st .

Be sure to mark your calendars for the

4th Annual Kennebec River Brewfest on August 7, 2021!

THANK YOU TO OUR 2020 KENNEBEC RIVER BREWFEST SPONSORS!

PRESENTING SPONSOR

VIP SPONSOR

BOX SPONSOR

DISTRIBUTOR SPONSOR

MARKETING SPONSOR

Welcome New Members!

Boys & Girls Club of Augusta

Charles Huerth, (207) 622-0452

boysandgirlsclubofaugustamaine.com

State Lunch

Shawn McLaug hlin, (207) 213-6025

statelunch.com

Sweet Dirt

Rebecca Henry, ( 207) 439-1600

www.sweetdirt.com

Member Anniversaries

40+ Years

Pine State Beverage | Townsquare Media

30+ Years

Northeast Bank, FSB | WABI-TV

20+ Years

10+ Years

5+ Years

Also Renewing

Chamber Member News

Connected Credit Union announced a new partnership with Winslow Community Federal Credit Union. Both credit unions are two financially strong not-for-profit cooperatives that have combined resources to become one financial institution, serving Kennebec, Somerset, Lincoln, and Waldo Counties. While this is considered a merger from a regulatory standpoint, all parties involved view this as a coming together of like institutions and a “win, win” for all. This partnership positions the credit union for continued growth and sustainability while meeting the needs of its members. All existing branch locations will remain open, providing full-service to members.

Gardiner FCU Cash Calendar for Ending Hunger are available to be purchased now through August 31. Help end hunger and you could win $100 or more. $2,300 in Cash Prizes. Winner will be drawn each weekday in September. Calendars may be purchased at Gardiner FCU, or by printing the copy of the calendar posted on their website, gardinerfcu.org.

MaineGeneral Medical Center is looking for Hospice Volunteers. MaineGeneral Hospice Volunteers of Kennebec Valley continues to offer support to our community during these unprecedented times. While they cannot provide in-person grief support, they offer teleconference options to those in need. MaineGeneral offers phone and teleconference bereavement support through Grief Support Group, Survivors of Suicide Loss Grief Support Group, Child Loss Grief Support Group, and Grief After Death from Addiction. Training for new volunteers begins in August. If you are interested in volunteering, please call 877-561-7299.

MaineGeneral Medical Center has been named one of the top hospitals in the country for superior patient experience by Healthgrades, a leading online resource for comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals. MaineGeneral is a recipient of the Healthgrades 2020 Outstanding Patient Experience Award, which recognizes hospitals that provide high levels ofpatient satisfaction. This is the second consecutive year that the Medical Center has earned this award and been named among the top 10 percent of hospitals across the nation.

New Dimensions FCU celebrated the completion of its new location in Waterville on June 23rd with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The credit union will open its new branch on 94 Silver Street on June 29. All services at 61 Grove Street location will be discontinued.

Quality Inn & Suites Maine Evergreen Hotel is pleased to announce that the hotel has won the 2020 "Best of Housekeeping" Award from AAA. The AAA's inspectors are well known for their painstakingly meticulous white-glove inspections of AAA-approved properties. They are not easily impressed! It is profoundly gratifying - especially now - that the diligent efforts of the hotel's devoted Housekeeping and Maintenance staff have been recognized with this prestigious national award.

Spectrum Generations announced its 18th Annual Golf Fore a Cause Tournament to be held on Friday, September 25 at the Brunswick Golf Club Participants will tee off at noon and spend the day on the beautiful course supporting the Spectrum Generations programs and services, including Meals on Wheels. The cost is $125/individual, $500/team, and includes 18 holes with cart, bagged lunch (catered by Cohen on the Meadows), awards, contests for longest drive, accuracy drive, putting, and hole-in-one contest for chance to win $5,000.

Theater at Monmouth announced it is looking for young people who play well with their friends and are imaginative, energetic, and excited to explore Shakespeare with Theater at Monmouth this summer with virtual CampShakes. The best way to explore Shakespeare is hands-on and on your feet, and CampShakes will do just that for students entering grades 4 through 8. Classes in voice, movement, and acting help students explore Shakespeare’s text emotionally, physically, and intellectually in preparation for a final performance for family and friends. For 2020, all sessions will take place virtually from home via Zoom from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with breaks for snacks, lunch, and arts & crafts projects. There are three week-long sessions to choose: July 27-31, August 3-7, and August 10-14. For more information, call (207) 933-9999.

Viles Arboretum welcomes incoming Executive Director, Ryan Martin, as he takes the reins beginning in July. Ryan comes to this position with Maine roots and a wealth of experience in all of the areas pertinent to the work of this Augusta based non-profit. Ryan was selected out of a pool of more than a dozen applicants and his experience with non-profits, enthusiasm and multidimensional skills clearly made him stand out. The Viles Arboretum Board of Directors, both current and past, wish to thank Mark DesMeules, the outgoing Executive Director, for his leadership, knowledge, devotion, work ethics and tireless spirit in his 12 years as Executive Director of the Arboretum. Under his leadership, memberships increased, new programs were created, areas spruced up, trees were identified and tagged, new partnerships were formed among other things which has made the Viles Arboretum a destination to visit. Local people, as well as world travelers have signed our guest book. We will miss his day to day presence but his spirit of excellence lives on.

To submit Member News, send your press releases to: info@kennebecvalleychamber.com

Eat Local!

Join us in supporting our local restaurants

Tired of cooking and looking for lunch or dinner options? Check out our list of KV Chamber Members and what food options they are currently offering! Please note that this list is constantly being updated and we encourage you to check with the business to confirm these details. Click the image below to view the list!