As we navigate through the current health and economic crisis, it is critical that we confront this challenge as a united region. The Downriver Community Conference and Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber have adopted a joint resolution addressing the first of many phases toward economic recovery for our region. The resolution states our desire to address our region's needs in the areas of 1) support for Downriver municipalities, 2) workforce development, and 3) support of local small businesses including providing more available access to Paycheck Protection Program funding for small businesses who hold their accounts with non-SBA approved lenders. The SWCRC and the DCC have drafted and adopted the joint resolution, which has been sent to our key partners including US Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow, and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. The DCC, SWCRC, regional business community, and all DCC member municipalities are united as we tackle this crisis in partnership with our dedicated federal and state elected leaders. We thank our leaders for their efforts and are committed to our continued partnership as we work together to serve our region's job providers, entrepreneurs and workforce.
In addition to the resolution's addressing of the need for proper emergency funding for our region's municipalities, there is a critical need for our community to support our Downriver businesses as we look toward restarting and revitalizing our economy while protecting the health and well-being of our citizens.
Now more than ever, it is vital that we support our Downriver and southern Wayne County job providers, entrepreneurs and workforce.
Even during the Stay Home order, there are ways to support our businesses online and by also providing encouragement and promotion on social media. Imaging and messaging is very important for the uplifting of our region, and for this our communities are looking to its leaders.
As a part of this joint resolution, the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber and the Downriver Community Conference will be asking our communities to participate in a campaign to support our local businesses during the current stay home order, and at the right time restart and boost our local economy in a responsible, safe and effective way.
More information on the #SupportDownriver campaign to encourage our residents to support local enterprise will be sent out.
Further, we ask our members to support your fellow SWCRC businesses. The membership directory with contact information and social media links can be found
HERE
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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has provided new guidance in regards to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) due to very high demand on this program. The federal loan programs, many of which include forgivable portions, and loans and grants being administered by all levels of government are critical for our Downriver job providers and entrepreneurs during these uncertain times. The SBA has issued updated guidance that it will provide initial EIDL loan disbursements at a reduced amount of up to $15,000 per borrower. The reduction in disbursements is resulting from the high demand and limited funding available. There are also new guidelines and limitations on the cash advance portion of this program of up to $10,000. It is critical for our business community that this program receives additional funding. The SWCRC has reached out to our partners in Congress to ask for their support. Our region's small businesses need immediate access to capital to ensure their businesses remain operational.
Thank you for your tremendous leadership and partnership, and let's work together to support Downriver and southern Wayne County in a dynamic way!
Your friends and partners,
Ron Hinrichs
President & CEO
Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber
Jim Perry
Executive Director
Downriver Community Conference
