MARCH 19, 2020 | MEMBER NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPDATES DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS
CHAMBER CONNECTIONS
While the Chamber office remains staffed for the time being we are closed to visitors. We ask that anyone needing information, paperwork, etc. to give us a call so that we can continue to provide assistance to anyone needing it. 

As Mt. Washington Valley navigates these uncertain and difficult times we are confident in the measures local businesses are taking to ensure the safety of their employees, patrons, and visitors. We feel for the businesses making the tough decision to close and will do what we can to encourage support for your businesses with take out, curbside service, gift certificate purchases and online reservations for future visits.

The Valley is a community that shines in adverse situations and this is no exception. We appreciate the efforts everyone is taking and want you to know the Chamber is here to support our local businesses in any way we can. Please reach out to us and let us know how we can best help!
The Chamber is sending updates regularly
via email. These links can also be found online at MWVCC.org .

We are interested in hearing from you and want you to share information that you would like us to pass along to our community. Here is a simple form to fill out to let us know what is going on with you and your business.

OTHER LOCAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
Have a feel good story to share?
We are inspired by the people & businesses in our community who are reaching out to help others. If you have something to share please pass it along. We'll share it on our social media and newsletters to keep locals and visitors up to date with the wonderful place that is Mt. Washington Valley!

Staci Colbath of Flatbread Company delivered a little extra love to Memorial Hospital to thank the first responders, medical workers & healthcare professionals... the real super heroes .

Fields of Ambrosia has committed to keeping the Vaughn Community Center stocked with a donation of our bar soaps and foaming hand soaps for the next 4 weeks.
Nick Panno, owner/innkeeper of The Bernerhof Inn , announced they will offer free breakfast to go Sat. 3/21 & Sun. 3/22. Due to the cancellation of this weekend's Murder Mystery event, Panno has an abundance of food to share, especially with families, children and seniors. The public is invited to stop by from 7 - 10am in the circular drop off area in front of the inn for a to-go breakfast with scrambled eggs, bacon, home fries, and biscuits. 
"I wanted to make the best of a bad situation and help those in need, especially school children who might be missing out on meals with school being out of session," Panno shared. The free breakfasts are offered on a first-come-first-served basis and as long as supplies last.
BUSINESS UPDATES

FROM RSVP - WE ARE IN NEED OF VOLUNTEER TRANSPORTATION DRIVERS - Carroll County Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Many people in our community do not own cars. These same people are often elderly, on fixed incomes and need to see their doctors or receive medical treatment on a regular basis. RSVP's Medical Transportation Program provides free rides to medical appointments to people over age 60 who can no longer drive or have disabilities. READ MORE >>

FROM STARTING POINT IS IN NEED OF DONATED SUPPLIES. READ MORE >>

FROM THE CONWAY PUBLIC LIBRARY has asked the public to not return materials at this time to minimize their handling of materials that have been out in the world. Contact them with any questions.

FROM GIBSON CENTER FOR SENIOR SERVICES UPDATES: D ining room is closed as are all senior center dining rooms in the state. BUT…we have lunch pick-ups!! Come to the outside dining room doors during our regular lunch hours of 11:30 to 12:15, Monday through Friday and you’ll get a lunch-to-go. We have to ask that you ONLY pick up your meal and not linger.  READ MORE >>

FROM WHITE MOUNTAINS TV is planning to feature information and video about the White Mountains as an alternative to the 24/7 news Cycle about the Coronavirus. They will be providing updates on community closings, restaurant take-out options, online ordering, health & medical tips, etc. please contact them directly if you have information to share.

FROM MEMORIAL HOSPITAL - If you believe you have been exposed to the COVID-19 or are beginning to exhibit symptoms (including fever, coughing, shortness of breath) call your primary care provider or call Memorial Hospital at (603) 356-5461. A short telephone screening will determine if you need to be tested for the virus. Tests can be done at some physician offices or at Memorial’s Emergency Department. If indicated, you will be directed to set up an appointment for a clinician to take a sample for testing. Currently, test results are available within 1 to 3 days. While waiting for your results, you will be asked to self-quarantine, treat your symptoms, and limit your contact with others.
Your local health professionals are here to serve you. Thank you for your consideration as we respond to these extraordinary circumstances.

FROM M&D PLAYHOUSE - Our board of directors has made the difficult decision to postpone our upcoming production of “Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical.” We are looking into possible dates for rescheduling and will be in contact with you once we have a more concrete answer. If you are a current ticket holder, please email info@mdplayhouse.com to let us know READ MORE >>

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION - MAINE - Declaration of Economic Injury READ MORE >>
Grant funding for mutual aid work in communities (childcare support, mileage reimbursement, food/supply programs, food/supply delivery, media/journalism work, etc.) is available through New England Grassroots Environment Fund.
STAY MWV’s mission is to attract and retain a vibrant and engaged young professional presence in the Mt Washington Valley. By providing student debt assistance to our region’s young professionals, we hope to break down the financial barriers faced by young people wanting to place permanent roots down in the vALLEY. Application is now available for the STAY MWV Student Debt Assistance, to provide up to $3,000 in student loan repayment to selected applicants. Deadline to submit is May 15, 2020.
Business Owners Policies
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BOP Key Features

A BOP generally combines the following types of coverage in one convenient bundle:

Commercial property insurance—Covers losses to property from common perils. It also covers office equipment, furniture, inventory, machinery, raw materials, computers and anything else that is vital to business operations.

General liability insurance—Covers a company’s READ MORE >>
FROM THE OFFICE OF CHRIS PAPPAS
New Hampshire small business and private nonprofits, excluding religious nonprofits and charitable organizations, are now eligible for Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). You can apply for a SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan online here. If you do not have access to a computer or smartphone you can call 1‐800‐659‐2955 for assistance. Currently, eligible businesses and organizations are able to apply for up to $2 million in assistance with interest rates of 2.75% for private nonprofits and 3.75% for small businesses for up to a 30-year period. The first $25,000 is loaned without collateral, and businesses do not have to prove that they sought other lenders first. Approval timelines depend on volume, with the typical timeline for approval between 2-3 weeks and disbursement within 5 days. Please know with higher volume times such as now, this may take longer. More information regarding SBA’s disaster loans related to Coronavirus (Covid-19) can be found here .
 
The New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs is also asking businesses to submit their impact report to the NH Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Joint Information Center at jic@dos.nh.gov or 603-223-6169. That form can be found here. 
 
Our office strongly recommends your business keep a detailed record of all financials and losses related to Coronavirus (COVID-19). We also recommend signing up for email updates from New Hampshire’s SBA (at the bottom of the page, “email updates” button). On that page you are also able to connect with SBA-approved lenders using their “Lender Match” tool.
 
Additional resources which may be useful to you and your business include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC ) information, the State of New Hampshire Information, or New Hampshire’s 24/7 hotline at 2-1-1 for Coronavirus (COVID-19).
 
We will keep you updated as we learn more and as the situation progresses. Please do not hesitate to reach out to either our Dover, P: 603-285-4300 or Manchester, P: 603-935-6710 office with questions or concerns. Our offices will continue to have in-office presence to answer phones, or you can contact Victoria Laracy by email.
TO OUR VALLEY SAMPLER SKI PASS HOLDERS

We want to THANK our ski areas for allowing the Chamber to provide the
Valley Sampler Ski Pass for the 2019/2020 season. 

We hope that the over 300 member employees who purchased it realized a great savings and a fun time with family and friends when using it. Although all seven ski areas and 4 of our 6 Nordic Centers have closed early as their part in containing and mitigating COVID-19 or lack of snow we can look at several silver linings in this scenario:

  • We are thankful that the closures took place in mid-March and not earlier.
  • We are thankful that the ski areas and Nordic centers have never indicated a seasonal expiration date when the snow has been so good they have opened early and closed late.
  • We are grateful the state is offering immediate unemployment benefits to those who work to present the snow fun product the areas represent.
  • We are grateful that property managers may be able to get out and start Spring clean-up a little earlier then usual. This may provide an employment opportunity and get Christmas Decorations down in a timely manner.
  • We are grateful that ski areas and Nordic Centers may realize some cost savings in fuel, snow making and other infrastructure costs due to early closures.
  • We are grateful that our ski areas and Nordic Centers continually provide an exceptional product that fuels our winter economy.
  • We are grateful that many of our ski areas offer a summer product, provide venues for weddings and events.
  • We are grateful that our ski areas provide employment for many during the season.

Make decisions NOW to purchase ski area season passes as this will provide much needed cash flow for ski areas to make improvements and maintain year round staff.

You may see that an individual ski area(s) is offering the use of current season passes up to December 2020. Until I am able to confirm that this policy applies to the Valley Pass please do not count on it or pressure individual ski areas to extend this courtesy. My experience would indicate that this extensions is for those individuals who have invested in a ski area specific season pass.

GOLF PASS
Knowing many of you are anxiously awaiting the opportunity to get out we would like to suggest that you go on-line and for a Golf Pass Application to assure you have one for the season. We only sell 150 of them.
Print it off and mail it in with a check for $125 or call Lisa with a credit card at 356-5701 ext. 314 Support local golf tournaments when the rules of containment are lifted.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE
WHITE MOUNTAIN OUTDOOR FEST
JUNE 4, 5, 6, & 7, 2020

The inaugural White Mountain Outdoor Fest is a premier sporting event in
the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
days and 3 nights of hardcore
outdoor competition,

As with all events please be advised that cancellations may occur due to COVID 19.
Check for information as we progress toward June
LODGING PROPERTY MEMBERS
MT. WASHINGTON VALLEY IN THE NEWS
CHAMBER MEMBER BENEFITS
Chamber members and their employees are eligible for some great benefits like Discounted Ski and Golf Passes, Prescription Drug Program, Professional Development, Networking Opportunities, and Member to Member Benefits.

If you have a benefit you would like to pass along to a member please call Rebecca at 603-356-5701 x300.

Chamber members have access to our extensive library of photos available online. These photos are available for our member's to use to promote their business on their websites, social media, and print marketing. Members must request permission to receive the high resolution file and will be obliged to provide a photo credit. A benefit for chamber members only!
Chalmers Insurance Group - now offers members a 5%-10% discount on personal insurance (Home & Auto). The Chalmers Advantage™ Group Discount Program is a great benefit on personal insurance to be taking advantage of.

Conway Family Dental  - 10% off for all Chamber Members

Cranmore Inn  - Enjoy $10 off per room per night when mentioning you are a member of the Chamber.

Do you have a benefit you would like to offer members?
Gain extra exposure for your business with an offer or promotion
to our Chamber members. Please call Rebecca Miller at 603-356-5701 x300
Chamber Members enjoy exclusive savings on the entire suite of marketing tools, with plans starting as low as $20 per month. Sign up today for your FREE 60-day trial and when you're ready to buy, save 20% when you prepay 6 months or 25% when you prepay 12.

Questions? Call 855-797-4708 or email coach@constantcontact.com .
for members and their employees
Lower your prescription drug costs. Simply create and print your FREE Prescription Drug Coupon Card and receive savings of up to 75% (discounts average roughly 30%) at more than 68,000 national and regional pharmacies. This coupon card can be used for potential savings on prescription medications not covered by your insurance, is pre-activated and can be used immediately!

Make sure you and your employees are taking advantage of this great benefit!
Shopping locally and supporting our local small businesses with the purchase
of gift certificates is so important at this time.
But if, and when, you do shop online for convenience we ask that you
consider supporting our local non-profits whenever possible.