Scott Tate
President & CEO
#StCharlesCountyStrong

Phone: 636.946.0633
To Our Chamber Members:

Over the past couple of weeks we have all been bombarded with continued news and e-mail updates, expanding resources, and have been forced to change the way we do business. I know it hasn't been easy and sometimes it has been exhausting, but we will get through this. We are in this together.

Your Chamber staff continues to work for you - providing ongoing online programming and responding to your questions. We may not have all the answers, but we will do our best to get them or connect you with the people that do. Do not hesitate to contact us - we are here to help you any way we can.

If you are looking for advice from the Chamber on what you need to do next, we recommend speaking to your bank about the Paycheck Protection Program - almost all of our members should qualify for assistance through this program and the loan could be 100% forgivable if certain criteria is met.

Happy Easter!
 
With Gratitude & Certainty For Better Days Ahead ,
Chamber COVID-19 Update Status Survey

We want to hear from you. We know that many of our members are facing challenges during the statewide stay at home order. How are you doing? What can we do  right now  to help you through the crisis?

With close to 800 members, it is difficult to personally connect with everyone. By taking a minute to fill out the survey at the link below, we hope this will help us to prioritize the most "at risk" businesses.
Confidential Survey Being Conducted By Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

In partnership with numerous chambers of commerce and regional organizations, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis is conducting a confidential survey of business leaders  in the seven-state region of the Eighth Federal Reserve District. The survey will directly assist monetary policymakers and regional leaders in making decisions that impact the employment and financial situations of businesses in our region.

The survey does not require a firm name, and individual responses will be accessible only by a few economists at the Federal Reserve. The aggregate results will be analyzed and complied into a report for the public. Click below to complete the survey.

If you have questions, please contact Charles Gascon, Regional Economist at the St. Louis Fed at  charles.s.gascon@stls.frb.org .
St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force

The St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force is an unprecedented collaboration that includes BJC HealthCare, Mercy, SSM Health and St. Luke’s. The St. Louis metropolitan area’s largest health systems are working together to coordinate capacity, staffing, supplies and other issues to prepare for a coming surge of patients. The Task Force is also coordinating with public health departments, elected leaders and state and federal agencies to provide the best possible care for patients. Dr. Alex Garza, Chief Medical Officer at SSM Health and Incident Commander for the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Taskforce will hold daily briefings on Facebook Live at 3pm.

Facebook Live updates daily at 3pm.

Paycheck Protection Program

The Paycheck Protection Program application process will roll out in two phases, one week apart.
  • On April 3, 2020, small businesses and sole proprietorships can begin applying for these loans.
  • On April 10, 2020, independent contractors and self-employed individuals can begin applying. The SBA advises that all businesses should “apply as quickly as you can because there is a funding cap.”

Loans will be available through SBA-approved lenders.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans 
Available to businesses and nonprofits, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.  Apply online directly with SBA.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Advance 
Applicants for SBA’s economic injury disaster loan program can apply for a loan advance of up to $10,000. To access the advance, you must apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).

Funds will be made available within three days of a successful application, and this loan advance will not have to be repaid.  Apply online directly with SBA.
Grow with Google: Keeping the Lights On

As a Grow with Google Partner, the Greater St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to tune in to a special livestream for small businesses, hosted by America’s Small Business Development Centers and Grow with Google: Keeping the Lights On.

Grow with Google and ASBDC will be hosting this live, virtual event on April 14, 2020 at 10AM PT / 1PM ET.

RSVP to tune in today: g.co/grow/keepingthelightson . 
Free Video For Any St. Charles Chamber Member through Waymark
Overall in the STL area, Spectrum Reach is dedicated to helping our local business community grow and be successful by putting their message in front of customers that use their services, buy their products and shop in their stores.
 
For and small businesses to get a video message out to the community could make all the difference in helping them remain open and viable.
 
We understand many small businesses do not have the resources to produce video messaging. Spectrum Reach is offering the ability for local business to easily build their own  30-second video for FREE,  through our partnership with a service called Waymark.
 
Here is a good example any local St. Louis Business can create:  https://video-preview.com/fea24935-6ee5-4d41-b068-801550fdb19c
 
The video can be used at their discretion through social media channels, websites, digitally, and as a TV commercial. If they are interested in using the video as a TV commercial, we are also offering 20% off the purchase of their first TV campaign with us.  But, there is  no obligation to buy .
 
For more information about creating a Waymark video, visit  SpectrumReach.com/rebound .
Resources for Individuals
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber is working closely with the White House, U.S. government agencies, and foreign government officials to inform and equip businesses with the most important and up-to-date information to prevent the spread of the virus and prepare businesses for the near and long-term impact.  Visit their live blog for the latest updates.  


The U.S. Chamber continues to create, update, and evolve its various guides and resources to continue bringing you the information you need during this difficult time. We encourage you to utilize and share the following items as you see fit:

Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry
With COVID-19 continuing to spread in the United States, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry urges the business community to take proactive steps to protect their workplaces and communities from Coronavirus.

State of Missouri
Small Business Administration (SBA)
Health and government officials are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people. Small businesses are encouraged to do their part to keep their employees, customers, and themselves healthy.


Message from Mayor Dan
Local Information & Resources