In The Kn
o
w
The Weekly Newsletter of
The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce
Friday, May 15, 2020
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Utilize this Chamber member guide as our local businesses begin to safely
re-open. Click the logo above to view, print or share. And show your community pride by buying locally.
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Utilize the Chamber's COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Toolkit & Resource Guide. It's updated daily. Click above to access.
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Latest State of Ohio Governor Updates
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Below are updates from the Thursday, May 14th press conference with Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and Ohio Director of Health, Dr. Amy Acton. There will be no press conference today. The next press conference is currently scheduled for Monday, May 18th and may be seen
here
or live on
WTOV9
.
President Trump will hold a noon press conference today that may be seen live on WTOV Fox News station.
Ohio’s COVID-19 case data:
- 24,800 confirmed cases
- 1,557 probable cases
- 26,357 total cases
- 4,718 hospitalizations
- 1,388 confirmed deaths
- 146 probable deaths
- 1,534 total deaths
- 1,268 ICU admissions
- More data is available on the COVID-19 Dashboard HERE.
- Beginning Sunday, May 31st, childcare providers in Ohio will be permitted to reopen if these providers can meet required safety protocols. For a full list of mandatory and recommended best practices, click here. To assist in the reopening of child care centers, Ohio will seek to use more than $60 million in federal CARES Act funding to provide reopening grants to all of Ohio’s childcare providers, including family childcare, childcare centers, and both publicly-funded and private providers. More information on how to apply will soon be posted to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services' website. Governor DeWine also announced that Ohio will fund a research project to study best practices for controlling the spread of COVID-19 in child care settings. Information gathered from the study will continue to inform child care regulations moving forward. For a parent's guide on sending your child back to childcare, click here.
- Beginning Tuesday, May 26th, Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) locations in Ohio will be permitted to reopen for certain services if these facilities can meet required safety protocols. Services that can be accomplished online should still be done online. More details on online BMV services can be found at oplates.com. A full list of mandatory and recommended best practices will be available soon at coronavirus.ohio.gov.
- Beginning Tuesday, May 26th, gyms and fitness centers in Ohio will be permitted to reopen if these facilities can meet required safety protocols. A full list of mandatory and recommended best practices will be available soon at coronavirus.ohio.gov.
- Beginning Tuesday, May 26th, sports leagues in Ohio will be permitted to operate if these leagues can meet required safety protocols. This applies only to non-contact and limited-contact sports. A full list of mandatory and recommended best practices will be available soon at coronavirus.ohio.gov. Note that safety protocols for high-contact sports are in development.
- Beginning Tuesday, May 26th, public pools and club pools that are regulated by local health departments in Ohio will be permitted to reopen if these facilities can meet required safety protocols. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas. Proper operation and maintenance (including disinfection with chlorine and bromine) of these facilities should inactivate the virus in the water. A full list of mandatory and recommended best practices will be available soon at coronavirus.ohio.gov.
- Beginning Friday, May 22nd, horse racing in Ohio will be permitted if these operations can meet required safety protocols. Spectators will not be permitted. A full list of mandatory and recommended best practices will be available soon at coronaviurs.ohio.gov. Note that this does not apply to casinos and racinos. Safety protocols for these venues are in development.
- Beginning Thursday, May 21st, campgrounds in Ohio will be permitted to reopen if these facilities can meet required safety protocols. For a complete list of mandatory and recommended best practices for both campgrounds and campers, click here.
- Click here for the Director of Health orders for reopening restaurants and bars.
- Click here for the Director of Health orders for reopening hair salon and other personal service businesses.
- For the week ending May 9th, 2020, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) reported 51,125 initial jobless claims to the U.S. Dept. of Labor. Over these last eight weeks, ODJFS has distributed more than $2.4 billion in unemployment compensation payments to more than 587,000 claimants. Of the more than 1 million applications the agency has received, 90% have been processed, with only 10% pending. Pursuant to an order from the U.S. Department of Labor, Ohio will release unemployment numbers on a weekly basis as soon as the national report is released on Thursday.
- Ohioans may apply for unemployment benefits online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at unemployment.ohio.gov. It is also possible to file by phone at 877-644-6562 or TTY at 888- 642-8203, Monday through Friday 7AM to 7PM, Saturday 9AM to 5PM, and Sunday 9AM to 1PM. Employers with questions should email UCTech@jfs.ohio.gov.
As always,
Coronavirus.Ohio.Gov
and the Department of Health hotline, 1-833-4-ASK-ODH are great resources for those who have questions.
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CURRENT JEFFERSON COUNTY, OHIO DATA:
- 58 confirmed cases of COVID-19
- 31 recovered
- 2 deaths
- 26 active
- For the latest numbers, visit the Jefferson County Health Department website here.
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Elite Program Helps Business Executives Strategize
From Mike Jacoby, OhioSE President
Last year, Ohio’s state economic development organization,
JobsOhio
, sponsored ten southeastern Ohio businesses through a business acceleration program developed by the London Stock Exchange Group. This program, called the ELITE program, has been implemented in forty-five countries. It is designed to take executives in small to medium sized enterprises through a series of seminars to help them achieve a competitive edge and faster growth.
In response to the unprecedented economic disruption, the ELITE program is offering a FREE WEBINAR for all businesses in the OhioSE region to provide tools and strategies to help businesses emerge from the pandemic.
Monday, May 18th - 1 to 3:30 p.m.
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US Chamber & Inc. Magazine Sponsor Town Hall Today:
Re-Opening Your Business
Your re-opening questions answered, LIVE. What you need to know to keep your businesses running during this unprecedented time.
There are many urgent things still to consider for businesses to move forward in a Covid-19 world. How should you bring employees back and resume operations? How do you avoid running afoul of loan forgiveness rules with little specific guidance from the government?
Join a panel of experts for an all-new National Small Business Town Hall. We will discuss the new developments related to the programs available to you, including PPP funding, and take your most pressing questions along with a panel of experts.
Featured Speakers: Kimberly WeisulEditor-at-Large, Inc.Neil BradleyExecutive Vice President & Chief Policy Officer, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Friday, May 15th -
12:00 Noon
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Re-Starting Your Restaurant or Food Business As Restrictions Are Lifted
Sponsored by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Kent State University Tuscarawas,
Mark your calendars for this live, no-charge, "Ask the Experts” webinar. Topics to be covered include:
Safety and Sanitation Protocols
Best practices for guests, staff and vendors
Marketing
Focus on instilling confidence, safety, and trust
Cash Flow
You must have cash to stay in the game
Assembling A Team of Advisors
Involve your accountant, attorney, insurance agent, banker, and advisor
Resources
Keep updated daily or weekly with local health department, state and CDC guidelines.
To receive the link to participate, contact Deanna Spencer by email below or by phone at
330.308.7522.
Wednesday, May 20th - 12:00 Noon
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Paycheck Protection Program Webinar From Jarvis Law
Jarvis Law
is sponsoring a free webinar titled,
"How to Win at PPP Loan Forgiveness".
Join below or contact Mary Beth Panepucci at
marybeth@jarvisfirm.com
for more information.
Meeting ID: 924 1537 5653
Password: 341826
Tuesday, May 26th - 12 Noon
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Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
Jordan Herboth, of Herboth Business Solutions provided the following update. The federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program for expanded benefits is now accepting applications. This will cover the self- employed and 1099 workers who had to shut down due to the coronavirus stay at home order. Upon approval, funds will be back dated to the start of unemployment. Therefore, if you were unable to work, even if you are re-opening now, you may apply for benefits to cover the period when you couldn't work. Click the button below to start the application process.
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The Chamber has received information that we'd like to share from the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services regarding "SharedWork Ohio," a voluntary layoff aversion program.
Click
here
to learn more.
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Downward Trend In Ohio Unemployment Claims Continues
The downward trend in new unemployment claims continued last week, with 51,125 Ohioans filing initial requests for compensation, according to the Department of Job and Family Services. This marked the third consecutive week that new claims have come in below six figures amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and resulting restrictions on business activity. The number of initial claims filed over the last eight weeks sits at about 1.17 million, according to
ODJFS data
.
The department reported sending more than $2.4 billion in payments to more than 587,000 residents over that period. It said 90% of the applications received during that time have been processed.
The U.S. Department of Labor
reported
2.98 million seasonally adjusted initial claims were received nationwide last week, down 195,000 compared with the prior week's revised total.
More details in today's Gongwer News Service
Ohio Report
.
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Guides and Resources from the U.S. Chamber
The U.S. Chamber continues to create, update, and evolve its various guides and resources to bring businesses relevant and current information during this difficult time.
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Small Business Administration Disaster Customer Service
800.659.2955
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Employment Information for Local Businesses & Job Seekers:
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SAVE THE DATE!
The Chamber's 2020 Golf Classic has been re-scheduled for Tuesday, July 21st at the Steubenville Country Club. Sponsored by
Trinity Health System.
Watch your mail and email for details.
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Member Morsels
Remember to visit individual member websites by clicking on the business name or logo.
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AJ's Specialty Gifts
has face masks, both filtered and non-filtered. We have many designs and some sports teams. We have some sizes in Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large. There will also be some size-fits-all. The cost is $5 to $6 and are available by appointment only until May 12th when AJ's is permitted to reopen.
For more information, please call Anna Matthews at 740.346.4128 or email her
here
.
"Like" and "Follow" AJ's Facebook page
here
. AJ's Specialty Gifts is located at
4030 Sunset Blvd
. in Steubenville.
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New Client Pricing Specials!
As the Ohio Valley's small businesses begin to open back up over the next few weeks,
Strategy Staffing
is available to assist in any workforce staffing needs.
Now through July 12th*,
Strategy Staffing is offering
30% off
our markup (multiplier) on temporary and/or temporary to permanent placements to our area businesses.
Please inquire to:
Bryan Nelson
740.632.4513
Locally Owned. Locally Operated.
*Applies to invoices for hours worked through Sunday, July 12th, 2020.
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VaporJet Teams with
Epic Restoration
Tim Pestian, president of
VaporJet
, is pleased to announce that they have teamed up with Chris Fogle of
Epic Restoration
to employ their “SteraMist Disinfection” services – a far superior and much safer product than spraying items with bleach.
You may contact Tim via email for a free, no-obligation quote at
tim@vaporjet.net
and by phone at 800.525.1543 or : 740.632.7707.
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Now More Than Ever - Em-Media
Em-Media, along with our clients, our community, and the world, is experiencing a pandemic that has forever changed the world to pre-pandemic and post-pandemic. There will not be a sense of “getting back to normal,” rather looking forward.
More than ever, it is time for businesses to refocus their thinking and develop a marketing strategy that works for them.
During the recent “lockdown,” team Em-Media never stopped working for our clients. We spent our time checking in, assuring all needs were met, maintaining video production projects, testing new approaches, and updating websites and social media graphics. We also continued learning and experimenting with new techniques to market in our new normal.
Em-Media believes that a creative strategy is necessary to stay in the forefront of the marketing and advertising needs of their clients. It is important for all businesses to join in the process to create an Effective Media campaign.
Team Em-Media’s backgrounds include all areas of advertising mediums. We use our knowledge and experience to ensure the best rates for our clients, and we are ready to put a campaign to work for you.
The economy is opening back up, but habits are forever changed. Businesses need to be ready for these changes. An experienced team in support of your marketing efforts will help you
now more than ever
.
Set up a FREE consultation:
www.weareEM.com
or call any member of our team at 740.264.2186. And for a downloadable flyer listing all of Em-Media's services, click
here
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Are You Ready to Reopen?
Are you ready to open this month? I would love to help. Many of my suppliers have switched to making masks, sanitizer, and other safety features for your business. Get branded and unbranded masks of various types, hand sanitizer from logo-ed 1-ounce bottles to gallon-sized unbranded bottles, counter barriers, floor grips for spacing and direction, signs, and many other items. Let's reopen safely. Let me help.
For more information, contact Tina Thompson at 740.275.8699 or via email at
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Protective Shields for
Your Business
Counter shields are now for sale at OfficeMax and are available in several styles and sizes.
For more information, please contact Jim Kosikowski at 740.346.0896 or email
here
. OfficeMax will submit information on your behalf, and you will be contacted by their outside furniture representative who will provide a quote for the size and number that is needed for your business.
Check out
this flyer
for a visual representation of these shields.
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Around the State. Around the Country.
Up-to-Date Information from the Ohio and United States Chamber of Commerce
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Ohio Chamber Priority Bill Leaves Committee with Bipartisan Support
The Ohio Chamber’s efforts to reform the state’s burdensome and confusing workplace discrimination laws took a giant step forward as the Ohio House Civil Justice Committee favorably reported House Bill 352 out of committee on Tuesday.
Also known as the Employment Law Uniformity Act, this important legislation will better align Ohio’s workplace laws with federal law and laws in other states. This reform is needed because, thanks to judicial activism at the Ohio Supreme Court during the 1990’s, Ohio’s anti-discrimination laws are an outlier that makes Ohio’s business climate less competitive.
Enacting House Bill 352 will shorten the nation’s longest statute of limitation for bringing workplace discrimination claims from six years to two years. The bill also requires all allegations of employment discrimination to first be filed with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC) before civil litigation can commence.
Read the article in its entirety by clicking
here
.
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How Innovation is Accelerating to Meet Coronavirus Challenges
During the coronavirus pandemic, technological innovation has progressed on an expedited timeline to meet new and emerging challenges, according to industry leaders at a recent virtual event hosted by the Chamber Technology Engagement Center (C_TEC). Here are five ways that technological innovation is accelerating to meet the crisis:
1. The workforce is becoming more digital, flexible, skills-based, and regional
As workers practice social distancing, we’re seeing fundamental changes in how we work, at an unprecedented rate. The challenge for employees and the workforce of the future will be in adapting to a “new normal.” For many Americans, the day-to-day has transitioned from a physical workplace to a virtual one.
The future of the workforce will be a combination of humans, machines, and the gig economy, according to Ravi Kumar, president of
Infosys
.
Read the article in its entirety by clicking
here
.
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The Library Link
Great Books About Business With Just A Click
Your link to success begins at the library. Each week in "In The Know,"
you to a business book or magazine that will inspire, teach, inform, or elevate you, professionally and personally. This week:
7 Rules for Positive, Productive Change
by Esther Derby
Change is difficult but essential--Esther Derby offers seven guidelines for change by attraction, an approach that draws people into the process so that instead of resisting change, they embrace it.
Even if you don't have change management in your job description, your job involves change. Change is a given as modern organizations respond to market and technology advances, make improvements, and evolve practices to meet new challenges. This is not a simple process on any level. Often, there is no indisputable right answer, and responding requires trial and error, learning and unlearning. Whatever you choose to do, it will interact with existing policies and structures in unpredictable ways. And there is, quite simply, a natural human resistance to being told to change.
Rather than creating more rigorous preconceived plans or imposing change by decree, agile software developer turned organizational change expert Esther Derby offers change by attraction, an approach that is adaptive and responsive and engages people in learning, evolving, and owning the new way. She presents a set of seven heuristics--guides to problem-solving--that empower people to achieve outcomes within broad constraints using their personal ingenuity and creativity.
View this resource by clicking
here
.
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Today in History
GE initiates cleanup of polluted Hudson River
- May 15, 2009 -
From History.com:
After decades of environmental damage and legal wrangling, General Electric finally begins its government-mandated efforts to clean the Hudson River on May 15, 2009. One of America's largest and most prestigious corporations, GE had dumped harmful chemicals into the river for years and spent a fortune trying to avoid the cleanup.
GE's plants at Hudson Falls and Port Edward, two towns in upstate New York, dumped polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a harmful compound manufactured for GE by Monsanto, into the Hudson from 1947 to 1977. The State of New York banned fishing in the Upper Hudson in 1976 due to the pollution, and in 1984 a roughly 200-mile stretch of the river was declared a Superfund site, requiring GE to pay for the cleanup. Via lawsuits, lobbying efforts, and public relations campaigns, GE fought back until 2002, when the Environmental Protection Agency announced a final decision that the corporation would, in fact, have to foot the bill. Even then, GE dragged its feet for seven years before dredging finally began.
The dredging, which cost GE $1.6 billion, lasted from 2009 until 2015. By all accounts, significant progress was made, and observers have applauded the return of some of the river's wildlife.
Still, few believe that GE truly cleaned up its mess. Despite the removal of 3 million cubic yards of contaminated sediments, the state has challenged the EPA's assertion that GE held up its end of the bargain, pointing to studies that show significant levels of PCBs in the Hudson. The state still warns children and those who may bear children against eating fish and other wildlife caught in the Hudson, advising adult men to limit their consumption, as well as counseling citizens to try to avoid swallowing the river's water.
For more events that took place on
May 15th, please click
here
.
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- 3% -
"T
he coronavirus pandemic has led to a three percent drop in global trade in the first quarter of 2020 and this downturn is expected to accelerate in the next quarter to project a whopping quarter-on-quarter decline of 27 percent, the UN trade body has warned.
"
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Questions about Oil & Gas?
These non-profit organizations are here to help you stay up-to-date on the oil and gas industry
in Jefferson County:
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Get The Information You Need - The Chamber Staff Is Here To Help
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Janet McLaughlin
Investor Relations Coordinator
Janet will assist you with utilizing your membership benefits, answering questions about member programming or how to promote your business through the Chamber.
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Tricia Maple-Damewood
President
Contact Tricia with suggestions, input or feedback on member programming, how to get involved on a committee or special project or with questions or information about anything related to the Chamber.
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Melissa DeFrances
Administrative & Accounting Coordinator
Melissa is your go to for accounting or billing questions, event reservations, membership questions, changes to your company information or any other assistance you may need.
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Contact Us
The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce
630 Market Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
Phone: 740.282.6226
Fax: 740.282.6285
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