COVID 19 News | April 21, 2020
Plan Now For Your Re-Opening
The timing of your reopening or the expansion of your current operations may be different as government officials direct but NOW is when you need to plan. How will you reopen? Walking in, turning on the lights and throwing open the door is not a good option, you need a plan. Governor Cooper gave the analogy of a dimmer switch. So keep that in mind as you make your plan. There will be some new challenges or restrictions so now is the time to think about how you will perform and what you need to address these new processes.
National Plan for Opening Up America
This is the federal government's plan: Opening Up America Again. The 20 page document is a quick read and will give you an idea of how and when things could open. The plan calls for a downward trajectory of documented cases within 14-day period.

OSHA and COVID-19
Workplace safety will now extend to how are you protecting your workforce (including yourself) from COVID-19 exposure. Is you business ready for the regulations? Do you know what your obligations will be? Will you have the


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Smaller Drive In Markets Could Be Hot in Travel Late 2020
The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. VisitNC has shared market research about who, when and where people will be traveling at the appropriate time.

According to this research, the Southport-Oak Island area is perfectly positioned for travelers when it is safe to travel again. Suzanne @ LaPolena B&B is already thinking about how she will pivot her marketing focus.

What are you doing to promote your area or business? This video will discuss the data trends and how to promote in a responsible way.

Keep Your Customers Engaged
How are you keeping your customers engaged? If you are not communicating with your customers now (yes, even if you are not open during COVID-19) it will be harder for you to get them back.

Remember they are home surfing social media and looking through emails. They will read your information more than ever before. Watch the video (link on the photo) and then click the below link for additional resource videos.

Spectrum Rebound Offers Way for Businesses to Make Free Video
Spectrum Reach has partnered with Waymark to offer free videos you can make on your own and use wherever you need. Use code REACH at checkout to get your free video. Click Here to make your video
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Implementing Return to Work Plan
You have heard the expression "the devil is in the details."

We found this information from Suzanne Clark, President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce extremely helpful when looking at what pitfalls businesses could encounter as they return to the new normal of operations. Click Here to read article.
PPP Funding - Round 2
We know there is much frustration in our small business community about the first round of the PPP & SBA EIDL funding. Add to that the Save the Small Business funding was gone almost as quickly as it was posted. See Letter from US Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

We know of several small businesses locally that were able to get some PPP or SBA EIDL funding in round 1. We are hopeful there will be even more in round 2.

To give you an idea of the amount of need, BB&T now Truist had 100,000 applications in the first 48 hours of the program opening. They have funded $10 billion in funds.

By all reports it looks like a vote on the 2nd round of funding under the Paycheck Protection Program will be done this week. Hopefully, more of you will be funded in round 2. We would like to thank our local bankers for all the hard work you are doing to process these loans.
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Independent Contractors
So many of our members are independent contractors this guide from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is very helpful to help you navigate the CARES Act Relief.

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SCORE WEBINARS
Two webinars you may have missed from SCORE

April 8th Webinar on Marketing Strategies for Cape Fear Restaurants during the Coronavirus Crisis? Here is a link to the one-hour recording. M arketing Strategies for Restaurants During the Covid-19 Crisis


April 17th Webinar on How to Stay in Front of your Customers with Google My Business during the Crisis. Here is a link to the one-hour recording.   How to Stay in Front of your Customers with Google My Business
Additional Food Benefits More Thank 800,000 Children
Governor Roy Cooper announced Monday, April 20th that North Carolina has been approved for the new Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program, to help families purchase food for children impacted by school closings due to COVID-19. NCDHHS is working to operationalize the program and families will begin to receive this benefit in coming weeks.

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Message from President Arnold
Each week during the COVID-19 Stay at Home orders we will post a video message from Lucinda Arnold, 2019/2020 President of the Chamber Board of Directors.