PORT & CHAMBER UPDATES
April 21, 2020
Business and Community News
DAYTON TOWN HALL - SBDC & Public Health Info
We have set up a Dayton Town Hall Zoom meeting for Tuesday at 2:00 pm with the following topics:

  • HELP FOR SMALL BUSINESS:  The Port of Columbia helps fund the Walla Walla Small Business Development Center (SBDC) because it also serves Columbia County. Judy Jones, the Small Business Advisor with the Walla Walla SBDC, will join us in the Town Hall Call tomorrow at 2:00 to provide updates on the EIDL and PPP loans, share information on surviving the COVID crisis, and answer any questions participants may have. Judy is available to work with any business that could use some help navigating today's difficult economy.

  • PUBLIC HEALTH UPDATE: Martha Lanman, Director of Columbia County Public Health, will provide a COVID-19 health update as well as information she's gathering on how we can start opening our community and economy back up while protecting our most vulnerable citizens.

Dayton Town Hall -   Tuesday, April 21 from 2 - 3 pm.   Click on the link below just prior to 2 pm Tuesday and it will allow you to join the meeting. You'll need to allow your computer to download Zoom when prompted if you haven't done so already.


UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS
We've heard there are some folks out there that do not have a computer and can't get through on the phone lines to apply for unemployment. If you know of anyone who needs help, Port staff is ready to do so. Have them call 382-2577.

HAND SANITIZER
Rock Hill Industrial Park tenant Red Band Cellars has bottled up some of the locally-distilled hand sanitizer and is willing to share. He has over a hundred 6-ounce bottles to share free of charge. Contact the Port office if you need some: 382-2577 or send an email.

SAVE SMALL BUSINESS GRANT
The US Chamber of Commerce put out a grant opportunity yesterday around noon, but it is apparently already closed due to overwhelming demand. It is for businesses with between 3 and 20 employees, and it is a $5,000 grant. Just in case it re-opens, here is the link: https://www.savesmallbusiness.com/

FRUIT GLEANING CLARIFICATION
The title of the mention in my last newsletter was misleading. The Fruit Gleaning idea is not to pick up fruit off the ground - it is to pick excess fruit from the tree that a tree-owner may not be able to use. Send me an email and let me know if you're interested in helping.
SHOP LOCAL!
Shopping local is easy! I bought 4 large bags of potting soil last week at Dingle's of Dayton, some early-blooming plants for my flower pots, and broccoli, Brussels sprout, pepper, tomato, and cabbage plants at the BMS Co-op Market & Nursery. I love spring!
Still Need Census Forms Filled Out
Even if your household did not receive a code in the mail to use on your census form, you can still fill the form out just by putting in your address. We are only at about 50% completion rate. Please complete your form today!