In The Kn o w
The Weekly Newsletter of
The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce   



Friday, May 29, 2020
Updates from Ohio Governor DeWine's May 28th Press Conference
Below are the updates from yesterday’s press conference with Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted.  The next press conference is currently scheduled for Tuesday, June 2nd.
 
 
  • Ohio’s COVID-19 case data (5/28):

  • 31,625 confirmed cases
  • 2,290 probable cases 
  • 33,915 total cases
  • 5,811 hospitalizations
  • 1,888 confirmed deaths
  • 210 probable deaths
  • 2,098 total deaths
  • 1,516 ICU admissions
  • More data is available on the COVID-19 Dashboard HERE.
 
  • Governor DeWine announced that the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy has clarified rules that allow pharmacists to order and administer tests for COVID-19. To help Ohioans find testing locations, a map has been added to coronavirus.ohio.gov that lists COVID-19 testing centers in Ohio.
 
  • Ohio has utilized COVID-19 testing priorities to manage limited testing capacity. Under the guidance of clinical experts, Governor DeWine announced that Ohio has modified these groups in light of changes in testing availability and evolving knowledge of COVID-19 and its impact on Ohioans. Testing must be first available to individuals described in Priority Groups 1, 2 and 3, but Ohio is expanding to allow partners and communities to test Ohioans in Priority Group 4 which includes testing “Individuals in the community to decrease community spread, including individuals with symptoms who do not meet any of the above categories.”
 
  • Governor DeWine announced a plan to lift restrictions on visitation at assisted living homes in Ohio. Beginning June 8, 2020, properly prepared assisted living facilities and intermediate care facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities can begin to allow outdoor visitation. The lifted restriction do not yet apply to nursing homes.
 
  • Each facility can determine how to best implement outdoor visitations, however, at a minimum, all facilities must develop a policy that includes: screening for temperatures and symptom-reporting for visitors; scheduled hours and time limits for visits; proper social distancing measures; face coverings; Resident, family, and friend education about the risks of the spread of COVID-19. Consideration for visitors during end-of-life situations will also be expanded.
 
  • The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is deferring Ohio employers' premium installments for the months of June, July, and August. Businesses will have the option to defer the monthly premium payments with no financial penalties. This is the second payment deferral BWC has given to employers amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
 
  • Governor DeWine's Fair Advisory Group has released guidelines for how county fair boards and agricultural societies can work with county health departments to safely operate junior fairs for kids. The decisions about county and independent fairs need to be made locally. The Ohio Department of Agriculture is in the process of distributing all state funding available for Ohio’s 94 county and independent fairs. Click below for the Responsible RestartOhio guidance for county fairs. 

  • Lt. Governor Husted announced that 150 Ohio companies have been approved for TechCred funding, which will help them upskill their current and incoming workforce to meet the needs of the increasingly tech-focused economy, particularly amid the COVID-19 health crisis. Many of the TechCred pre-approved credentials can be completed 100 percent virtually. Examples of these credentials and training providers can be found at TechCred.Ohio.gov.
 
  • Printable resources that can be used by anyone in Ohio to display common symptoms, protocols, or guidelines during the reopening of business and services throughout Ohio available in English and Spanish on the coronavirus website HERE.
 
  • For the week ending May 23, 2020, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) reported 42,082 initial jobless claims to the U.S. Dept. of Labor. The number of initial jobless claims filed in Ohio over the last 10 weeks (1,257,838) is more than the combined total of those filed during the last three years. Over the last 10 weeks, ODJFS has distributed more than $3.1 billion in unemployment compensation payments to more than 644,000 claimants. 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.
Members Come Together To Feed The Front Lines
The Chamber is all about making connections and we helped bring together some great people and businesses to honor local healthcare workers during National Hospital Week, which was May 10th through the 16th.

Trinity Health System  provided lunch for nearly 500 employees from  Desperado Dogs  and  Baby-Boyz BBQ   who were on-site with some amazing food. Ascent Resources and  Coen Markets  graciously provided the cold drinks and the weather was perfect making for a well-deserved treat for Trinity's employees.

A big thanks also to the  Ohio Oil & Gas Association (OOGA)  who helped coordinate the details.

Pictured from left to right is: Brent Mallek, VP of Human Resources at Trinity, Geno Taglione, Manager of Human Resources, Tricia Maple-Damewood, Chamber president, Amanda Finn, Director of Government Resources for Ascent Resources and Mike Chadsey, Director of Public Relations for the Ohio Oil & Gas Association.
Get Up & Moving Again At Our Two Member Gyms!
Anytime Fitness Wintersville
110 Main Street
(740) 275-4140
Planet Fitness
4229 Mall Drive, Steubenville
(740) 314-8047
Join Us For A Special Outdoor Coffee & Connections!

Please note that there will be no Coffee & Connections in June. But as we slowly and safely get back to a new normal, the Chamber is excited to announce a special outdoor event in July at
Historic Fort Steuben . July's Coffee & Connections will be held on Wednesday, July 15th beginning at
9 a.m. (Note the later starting time for July only.) Zalenski Eatery & Pub will provide a delicious box breakfast and as, always, there will be plenty of coffee flowing. Social distancing and safe seating rules will be in effect and advance reservations are required. Watch your Chamber email for an official invitation.

Want to help us bring Coffee & Connections back with a bang and promote your business at the same time? Become a sponsor and enjoy complimentary admission for 5 guests, promotional and advertising opportunities leading up to the event and the chance to showcase your business that morning with professional signage and a 10-minute presentation to our guests. You also have the opportunity to place information and/or promotional giveaway items in each breakfast box. (Mini hand sanitizers would be a big hit.) Contact the Chamber for more information and pricing.
House Lawmakers Introduce Bill For Local Chambers
of Commerce to Receive PPP Funding

By Juliegrace Brufke, www.thehill.com

A bipartisan group of lawmakers recently introduced legislation that would grant local chambers of commerce eligibility for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which aims to provide financial relief to small businesses amid the pandemic. 

The Local Chamber, Tourism, and 501(c)(6) Protection Act — spearheaded by Reps. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.) — would allow chambers to receive forgivable loans authorized under the CARES Act. 

Proponents of the measure argue that keeping chambers financially solvent is essential, making the case that they will play a critical role in helping small businesses get back on their feet. 

“Our local chambers, associations, and non-profits will continue to play an instrumental role in ensuring our Main Street businesses and regional economies can weather this storm,” Pappas said in a statement. “This bipartisan legislation will expand crucial small business assistance to the groups whose mission it is to support them. It is going to take all of us doing our part to get our economy back up and running in a safe and orderly fashion. I look forward to continue working across the aisle to introduce common sense legislation to ensure that happens.”

Fitzpatrick noted that while recent measures passed by Congress have helped alleviate some of the financial burden caused by the virus, a number of local chambers are financially floundering due to the impact COVID-19 has had on businesses. 

“Our local chambers of commerce, and other regional and state 501(c)6 organizations, play a vital role in our communities and have been assisting our small businesses as they navigate through the COVID-19 crisis,” Fitzpatrick said in the statement. “Unfortunately, these organizations, whose assistance will be crucial to our communities’ local economic recovery efforts in the coming months, were left out of the original CARES Act package.”

Pappas — who has been the leader on the effort since he sent a letter to House leadership last month advocating for the chambers — told The Hill the measure already has more than 50 co-sponsors which will be added during a pro forma session Friday. The New Hampshire Democrat noted its seen strong bipartisan support and Democratic leadership seems open to the proposal. 

Note: As of today, the bill is stalled in Congress. The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce continues to reach out to Ohio's elected officials to encourage their support of this crucial piece of legislation. These funds could be instrumental to the future of the Chamber which is 100% funded through membership dues, event income and sponsorships and receives no federal, state or county financial support.
How Brands Are Advertising During the Pandemic 

From the Wall Street Journal : " As the coronavirus pandemic progresses, companies are searching to find the right tone and message for their marketing. How are some of the world’s most recognizable companies re-envisioning their advertising? "
Three Helpful Resources To Help You Stay Safe & Support Local Business
Click these buttons to view, share or print.
Want to be added to the resources above?
Here's a 5-Minute Survey to Help Us Promote Your Business
The Chamber continues to help its members get the word out about their businesses and keep the public and fellow members informed on the continuing changes. If you would like to add to or change information in the above documents, please take just a few moments to complete a brief survey that will help us assist you and keep our promotional and informational materials up-to-date. Click on the button below to access.

Also, remember that our weekly newsletter reaches over 1200 fellow members and their employees each Friday and "Member Morsels" - short blurbs about your business - are a free service to you as a member. Click  here  to complete a short online form to share your information in the newsletter. Click  here  to submit an Eblast - a one page marketing piece to the same mailing list. They start at just $35.
The Chamber is re-launching valuable (and free) promotional programs.
And some great customer service tips to share with your staff.
The Chamber's website is an active and evolving tool for our members and for the general public. And the past two months have shown what a truly valuable resource it really is. 

We'd like to remind you of four free programs that are connected to the website that can help you get the word out about your business, keep customers (and prospective customers) updated, and assist you in finding quality employees. We are re-launching these this week and hope you'll take advantage. Please read below for more information on each. 

  • The "Job Bank" allows you to post job openings that you may have at your business.
  • The "News Release" section is the perfect place to share "big" news and information updates.
  • "Member to Member" specials are those discounts or special offers you'd like to offer specifically to fellow members of the Chamber.  
  • "Local Deals & More" is where you'd post weekly specials, events, programs, or other promotional or informational information. 

These programs and services are at no cost to you and are part of what your dues investment provides. To participate, you must be a member in good standing. Simply log in to create your post. Click  here to be taken to the log in page. If you have lost or do not have your login information, click on the link that reads, "Forgot your username/password" and we'll send you a link to reset or create a new login for your business. 

We hope you'll take advantage of these great tools and put your membership to work for you. It's easy, fast, and again, at no charge.

And last, click  here  for some helpful customer service tips that may assist you in your re-opening efforts. 

If you have any questions at all, please contact the Chamber offices at 724.282.6226.
Small Business Administration Disaster Customer Service
800.659.2955
Encino Energy Partners with the Family Recovery Center
  Donation to Support Resilience Bag
Project for Local Children

Louisville , OH  – Encino Energy’s Community Partnership Program provided a $4,000 donation and first aid kits to the Family Recovery Center to support their ongoing outreach to vulnerable children throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by distributing resilience bags. In addition to the first aid kits, the bags included journals, coloring books, bubbles, toys, educational materials donated from the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program (OOGEEP) and, most importantly, ways to support a child’s mental health as well as crisis information.

The Family Recovery Center has donated thousands of resilience bags throughout the pandemic, and the recent partnership with Encino will allow that effort to continue. Bags were distributed to local schools and children services, supporting at-risk children and families in Jefferson County.

"Family Recovery Center was ecstatic to receive a donation from the Encino Energy Community Partnership Program to enable our Prevention Department to reach the maximum number of families throughout our area. These Resilience Bags contain such valuable information for families,” said Ashely Wilson from the Family Recovery Center. “The content of the bags includes an activity for the entire family to enjoy together, coloring pages, crayons, and resources for the parents that stress the child/parent relationship qualities that are important in youth development. We truly feel we cannot take for granted that all families have these resources to maintain healthy relationships with their children during these stressful times. With Encino's collaboration, we will be able to continue the distribution of the Resilience Bags."

Throughout the pandemic, Encino has continued to support communities throughout eastern and southeastern Ohio, with a focus on the message to “Be Safe. Be Hopeful. Be Kind.” Encino’s Director of External Affairs, Jackie Stewart, advised that the Company also recently launched a campaign with the  Jefferson County Chamber  to highlight  local, essential small businesses  and provide information on local restaurants providing takeout as well as several public service announcements – all focused on  positive messages of hope .

“Encino was thrilled to partner with the Family Recovery Center to help vulnerable children and celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month,” said Jackie Stewart. “We’ve been very blessed to continue working during this pandemic and we thank Governor DeWine for understanding that energy is essential to human life. The protection of our environment and the health and safety of the communities in which we live and work is paramount to Encino’s core values and really is the heart of our Community Partnership Program. As we continue to navigate these waters as a state, country and world, we want to simply encourage everyone to continue to Be Safe. Be Hopeful. Be Kind. We will get through this together!”  
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.
Member Morsels
Remember to visit individual member websites by clicking on the business name or logo.
Sycamore Summer Weekend
Food Program
  
The Sycamore Youth and Community Center will be providing meals starting today, May 29th, and continuing throughout the summer!

We will have breakfast/lunches available for pickup outside the Sycamore Youth and Community Center (301 North 4th St., Steubenville, OH) between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. every Friday.

For more information, check out the Sycamore Youth and Community Center's Facebook page here or email the Ohio Valley Youth Network here . You can also contact Bobbyjon Bauman at 608.556.3068.
Apollo Pro Cleaning & Restoration offers professional disinfectant services designed to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Cleaning and disinfection is an important part of reopening public spaces and will require careful planning. Let Apollo Pro Cleaning serve you and your facility by helping you combat COVID-19 in your home or business.

Call 866.276.1418 to learn more or visit our website here . We're located at 1626 Cadiz Road in Wintersville.
Scaffidi's Restaurant & Tavern Is Reopening!
Scaffidi's Restaurant & Tavern is here to serve you with as many services as we can during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Responsible Restart Ohio allows us, we are happy to provide the following services to you:

  • Dine-In Services
Monday - Friday: 11 a.m. with last seating at 9 p.m.
Saturday: 4 p.m. with last seating at 9 p.m.

  • Carryout Services
Carryout orders will still be done by curbside to-go in order to promote social distancing. Call us at 740.314.5233 or visit our website at www.scaffidirg.com to place your order today.

Monday - Friday: 11 a.m. with last order at 9 p.m.
Saturday: 4 p.m. with last order at 9 p.m.

  • Delivery Services
We will be temporarily offering both in-house delivery and services through DoorDash to deliver to your homes and businesses.
For a downloadable flyer featuring all of our offerings, please click here .
Around the State. Around the Country.
Up-to-Date Information from the Ohio and United States Chamber of Commerce
Ohio Chamber Signs On as “Friend of the Court” to Block Collection of Electronic Signatures for Ballot Measures

Last Friday, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce joined with five other statewide business groups in filing an  amicus  (friend of the court) brief in support of the State of Ohio’s appeal of a federal court ruling that would relax Ohio’s requirements for putting proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot in 2020.

Ohio’s Attorney General David Yost, on behalf of Secretary of State Frank LaRose, is seeking to overturn  a ruling  by federal court Judge Edmund Sargus which allows for electronic signature collections instead of in-person signatures. Judge Sargus’ ruling also extended the deadline to collect such signatures from July 1, 2020 to July 31. Secretary LaRose said in response to the ruling that the existing petition requirements are “set in Ohio Constitution and decisions on changing them belong to the General Assembly and the people” and that ruling would grant the groups pushing for the ballot issue to “ignore the Ohio Constitution.”

Read the article in its entirety by clicking here .
Unemployment Claims Amid Coronavirus: A State-by-State Analysis

Americans filed more than 2.1 million unemployment claims last week, the Labor Department reported Thursday, driving total jobless claims over the past 10 weeks to more than 40 million amid the coronavirus pandemic and corresponding economic fallout.

No state has been spared. All 50 states state have seen at least about 10 percent of their workforce file unemployment claims since the start of March (note: DOL reporting on state unemployment data lags one week behind the national data). In two-thirds of states (33), more than 20 percent of workers have now filed a claim. One in five states (10) have now eclipsed the 30 percent mark.

Use the interactive map via the link below to see just how quickly unemployment claims have risen in each state over the past 10 weeks. Again, please note that state data lags national data by one week, so the so the 2.4 million claims reported on May 28 are not yet included in these state numbers.

Read the article in its entirety by clicking   here .
  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:

Check Out LinkedIn Learning, Free through the Library!

LinkedIn Learning is an e-resource available on the library's website. LinkedIn Learning offers thousands of video courses taught by industry experts in software, creative, and business skills.  Courses to benefit your business include Excel, management, marketing, and Photoshop.

This week, the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County suggests reading an article from LinkedIn, The Learning Blog, "The #1 Employee Concern During Coronavirus and How Managers Can Help" by Rachel Lefkowitz. You can find that article here .

LinkedIn Learning is free when you access it through the library's website at  www.steubenvillelibrary.org.

View this resource by clicking here .
Today in History
Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reach Everest summit
- May 29, 1953 -

From History.com: At 11:30 a.m. on May 29, 1953, Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa of Nepal, become the first explorers to reach the summit of Mount Everest, which at 29,035 feet above sea level is the highest point on earth.

The two, part of a British expedition, made their final assault on the summit after spending a fitful night at 27,900 feet. News of their achievement broke around the world on June 2, the day of  Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation , and Britons hailed it as a good omen for their country’s future.

The first recorded attempt to climb Everest was made in 1921 by a British expedition that trekked 400 difficult miles across the Tibetan plateau to the foot of the great mountain. A raging storm forced them to abort their ascent, but the mountaineers, among them George Leigh Mallory, had seen what appeared to be a feasible route up the peak. It was Mallory who quipped when later asked by a journalist why he wanted to climb Everest, “Because it’s there.”

In 1952, a Swiss expedition navigated the treacherous Khumbu Icefall in the first real summit attempt. Two climbers, Raymond Lambert and Tenzing Norgay, reached 28,210 feet, just below the South Summit, but had to turn back for want of supplies.

Shocked by the near-success of the Swiss expedition, a large British expedition was organized for 1953 under the command of Colonel John Hunt. In addition to the best British climbers and such highly experienced Sherpas as Tenzing Norgay, the expedition enlisted talent from the British Commonwealth, such as New Zealanders George Lowe and Edmund Hillary, the latter of whom worked as a beekeeper when not climbing mountains.

On May 26, Charles Evans and Tom Bourdillon launched the first assault on the summit and came within 300 feet of the top of Everest before having to turn back because one of their oxygen sets was malfunctioning.

On May 28, Tenzing and Hillary set out, setting up high camp at 27,900 feet. After a freezing, sleepless night, the pair plodded on, reaching the South Summit by 9 a.m. and a steep rocky step, some 40 feet high, about an hour later. Wedging himself in a crack in the face, Hillary inched himself up what was thereafter known as the Hillary Step. Hillary threw down a rope, and Norgay followed.

At about 11:30 a.m., the climbers arrived at the top of the world.

News of the success was rushed by runner from the expedition’s base camp to the radio post at Namche Bazar, and then sent by coded message to London, where Queen Elizabeth II learned of the achievement on June 1, the eve of her coronation.

The next day, the news broke around the world. Later that year, Hillary and Hunt were knighted by the queen. Norgay, because he was not a citizen of a Commonwealth nation, received the lesser British Empire Medal.

For more events that took place on
May 29th, please click here .
- 21,100,000 -

"Roughly 21.1 million Americans claimed unemployment insurance in the week that ended on May 16, a decline from the previous week's record of roughly 25 million,  the Labor Department said on Thursday . It was the first time that continuing claims, reflecting those receiving unemployment benefits, had declined since coronavirus-related layoffs began in March. It's a sign that hiring may be rebounding slightly as states continue reopening their economies from shutdowns to curb the spread of COVID-19."

Source and Picture: Business Insider
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:

Get The Information You Need - The Chamber Staff Is Here To Help
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.
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.
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.
Contact Us
The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce
630 Market Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
Phone: 740.282.6226
Fax:  740.282.6285