Greetings!

Although there is some disappointment with the Governor's current announcement in delaying quarantine and re-opening efforts for another two weeks, we remain hopeful and continue to ready ourselves for the re-opening of our borders. We urge everyone to remain vigilant with sanitation protocols and maintaining pandemic guidelines as directed by the CDC and Guam's Department of Public Health.

We would like to thank Dr. Hoa V. Nguyen and his Team at American Medical Center (AMC) for speaking to our members about concerns regarding the Covid-19 vaccine. We had a very engaging meeting! AMC offered the opportunity for member businesses interested in hosting a vaccination clinic for their employees. Please email: covid@amc.clinic for details.

We continue to work diligently on our economic diversification efforts as well as supporting efforts in the reopening of tourism on Guam. Please consider attending the joint membership meeting with GVB, Guam Chamber and GHRA next Thursday (May 6th) for the latest on our tourism outlook and industry updates. We encourage all our businesses to register for GVB's Guam Safe Certification and World Travel and Tourism Council certification. We look forward to welcoming our visitors as an overall safe Guam destination!

Additionally, if you are a restaurant, bar, or caterer we urge you to register today for next Tuesday's (May 4th) webinar with SBA and the Guam SBDC to gain insight and information regarding the application process for U.S. SBA's Restaurant Revitalization Fund. We are pleased to bring this effort to you in cooperation with GHRA and the Guam Women's Chamber.

We are excited at the possibility of meeting again in person if guidelines are relaxed for ballrooms in the near future. We welcome your thoughts on in-person and hybrid events for the Chamber. Please feel free to email me at ccastro@guamchamber.com.gu with your ideas or concerns. We are particularly looking at planning for our signature annual gala event in the fall. Your thoughts on participation and sponsorship would be well received and appreciated.

In the meantime, we have confirmed a new golf tournament date, which is now August 4th. We may have a few team plays still open so if you are interested in participating, please let us know and we will be happy to add you to the player roster. We are seeking prizes as well. If your company would like to support the Guam Chamber in its efforts to raise some much needed revenue, we would greatly appreciate your support!

We have curated a list of updates as you scroll below. We hope that the information that we have brought to you on a weekly basis has been a good resource for you as you make plans for your business.

Thank you for your messages and emails - we appreciate your comments and feedback as we all work together in revitalizing our economy. Keep them coming! Have a great weekend!

Onward together,

Catherine Castro
President
Joint Membership Meeting with GVB, Guam Chamber of Commerce and GHRA

Thursday, May 6, 2021
10:00 - 12:00 Noon

Save the Date!
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
Save the date for our May Virtual Membership Meeting featuring the FBI Guam Office who will address issues with cyber fraud.

Be on the lookout for event details as we get closer to the date!
April Membership Meeting Recap

Did you miss our membership meeting with Dr. Nguyen and the Project Coordinators of American Medical Center? Don't worry - you can listen in on the presentation right from our Youtube page!
Armed Forces Committee
General Membership Meeting
AFC Members are encouraged to attend the first AFC virtual General Membership Meeting on Monday, May 17th featuring Brigadier General Sloane, Commander of the 36th Wing, Andersen Air Force Base.

This event exclusive to AFC Members. If you wish to learn more or join this committee, please email the Chamber team.
Legislative Review
We have been keeping an eye out for bills that could impact your business. Please view the following listing and if any of them will negatively (or positively!) impact your company or your employees let us know and contact Senator(s) who authored the proposed legislation as well!

Relative to reaffirming our human right to safe drinking and clean water in observance of World Water Day 2021, and recognizing the importance of protecting our Northern Guam Lens Aquifer and precious water resource in ensuring the health of our people. This title is misleading and essentially calls for pause in military construction activities. If this is a concern for you, please contact your senators!

Relative to payment requirements for cigarette tax stamps.

Relative to Business Privilege Taxes being illustrated as a receipt line item.

Relative to exempting home kitchens licensed as home industry from sanitation laws and stipulating requirements from these home kitchens.

Relative to the size, weight, and load limitations and restrictions on certain vehicles.

Relative to imposing a general sales tax in Guam; and to decrease the business privilege tax from five percent to three percent.

An Act to decrease the Business Privilege Tax to four and one half percent beginning on October 1, 2021 and four percent on October 1, 2022; and to further deposit one eighteenth of the amount of the business privilege tax collected from October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022 to an unemployment compensation trust fund and to further establish a commission on unemployment relief and equity for the development of an unemployment insurance program in Guam under the U.S. unemployment insurance federal-state system.

"The Citizen's Legislative Reform Act of 2021"

If enacted, this measure would temporarily suspend the additional real property tax levied on improvements with a value of one million dollars or more. A public hearing was held on Feb 3rd.

Relative to reducing the business privilege tax from five percent to four percent.

We'll meet you on the green on Wednesday, August 4th!
We are happy to share that the Chamber's annual golf tournament will take place on Wednesday, August 4th at Onward Talofofo Golf Course.

We ask that members be on the lookout for a notice with more information!

U.S. Small Business Administration Updates
BEWARE OF IMPERSONATORS!
Bad actors may take this opportunity to impersonate lenders or government officials in emails, robocalls, social media accounts, and phony websites. Their goal is to attract victims and commit fraud, scams, and schemes. The result is financial or personally identifiable information (PII) loss for the victims. If you see this or similar activity, immediately report to Ken Lujan, SBA Guam Branch Manager.
Save the Date!
SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) Webinar
Tuesday, May 4, 2021 • 10:30 a.m.
In partnership with GHRA, the Guam Women's Chamber of Commerce and Guam SBDC, we invite you to listen in with guest speaker Ken Lujan, Branch Manager, Guam Branch Officer, U.S. Small Business Administration who will be sharing with us the process on applying for the SBA Restaurant Revitalization Funds.



Last week, the SBA announced key details on application requirements, eligibility, and a program guide for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). 
The SBA also announced a new initiative that will allow restaurants and other related businesses to apply for the RRF through point-of-sale service providers such as Clover ®, NCR Corporation, Square, and Toast. 


Yesterday, U.S. SBA sponsored a webinar on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. View the webinar here.
Shuttered Venue Operations Grant Program
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
Effective April 22, the SBA modified the Targeted EIDL Advance application process to determine if businesses also qualify for the additional $5,000 Supplemental Targeted Advance. SBA will contact eligible business entities to apply and applications will be processed on a first-comefirst-served basis. To qualify for the Supplemental Targeted Advance, an eligible business entity must be in a low-income community, suffered greater than 50 percent economic loss, and have 10 or fewer employees.
Government of Guam Updates
PRESS RELEASE: DRT Releases COVID-19 Services Series Vol. 12; Vehicle Registration Now Located in DPW Compound
Press Release No. 2021-038
 
DPHSS to Begin Accepting Renewal Applications for Sanitary Permit on May 3, 2021
The Department of Public Health and Social Services would like to inform applicable businesses that the Division of Environmental Health (DEH) will be accepting renewal applications for Sanitary Permit for all health-regulated establishments starting May 3, 2021. Pursuant to existing law, all Sanitary Permits expire June 30th of every year.
 
Completed application(s) is to be dropped off with payment in a form of money order or check made out to the “Treasurer of Guam” in the exact amount at DEH’s Processing Center Section (PCS) located at 155 Hesler Place, Hagatna (previously the old Guam Legislature building), please use this Google map link for directions:  https://goo.gl/maps/AFeXhsSfdugdHERN9. Credit card payment cannot be accepted at this time. When processed, the applicant will be notified by phone with instructions on the location, date, and time to pick up the renewed Sanitary Permit(s).
 
The renewal application may be downloaded from DEH’s website at https://dphss.guam.gov/division-of-environmental-health/. The Sanitary Permit fee is $290.00 for establishments with one to ten employees, and each additional employee thereafter is $5.00. Applicants must also include a copy of their existing Sanitary Permit with their application(s). Furthermore, institutional establishments (e.g., childcare centers) must attach a copy of their license from the Bureau of Social Services Administration (BOSSA). Cosmetology establishments (e.g., beauty/barber shops, beauty salons, etc.) must include a copy of their license from the Board of Cosmetology.  
 
PCS office hours are 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. PCS is closed on weekends and observed holidays.  
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only the applicant is allowed entry to PCS. We highly recommend to have all required applications completed and all supporting document(s) attached when submitting the application(s) for processing. Family, friends, or children accompanying the applicant, and applicants who are feeling ill or experiencing any COVID-19 like symptoms, will not be permitted onto the premises. Wearing of face masks is mandatory and social distancing will be implemented. Applicants needing special accommodation must call 922-2533 at least 2 days prior to arriving. 

Should you have any questions, please contact PCS at 922-2533 or email them at dphss-deh@dphss.guam.gov.
Are you interested in seeking a seat in the GYP Steering Committee?
GYP logo
Many of us are looking on the horizon for opportunities to grow and develop both personally and professional. The Guam Young Professionals (GYP) exists to energize, engage, and empower the young professionals of our island to be inspired, be influential and be connected. 
 
If you are looking for ways to Level Upwe’d like for you to consider joining the GYP’s Steering Committee (Steer Co). The Steer Co plays an important role in bringing you the value you seek in your membership. We are looking for individuals with fresh ideas and a sense of adventure. Someone with a positive attitude and enjoys developing activities and programs for your peers, while committing to excellence throughout the process. 
 
If this sounds like you or something you are interested in, please submit your information, below. If you are interested in learning more about the GYP and the Guam Chamber of Commerce, please contact us at (671) 472-6311. 
 
Thank you for your continued involvement in the Guam Young Professionals, and on behalf of the steering committee, we're looking forward to providing ways for our members to connect, inspire, and influence. We're always open to suggestions as well. Please follow us on Instagram: @guamyoungprofessionals to stay connected!
WE NEED YOUR FEEDBACK

The Guam Business Advisory Task Force has asked its members to seek feedback from the business community regarding a proposal to reopen all Guam businesses and industries to 100% capacity. Your response is valued and greatly appreciated.

Let's work together to keep our Workplace Safe!
With the recent increase in Covid-19 positive cases, we encourage all businesses to double efforts to ensure employee and customer safety by following your approved industry safety and sanitation protocols.

Additionally, vaccination clinics continue to be scheduled and all are encouraged to take advantage of the free vaccination services available to our island residents.

JOIN the Conversation
Our committees and programs are looking for great members to move our initiatives forward. Won't you consider joining us?
  • Small Business Committee
  • Chamber Business Women's Network
  • Membership Development
  • Legislative Review & Business Advocacy
  • Guam Young Professionals (Involves Add'l Fees)
  • Armed Forces Committee (Involves Add'l Fees)
  • Na' La' Bonita Guam Beautification
  • We are also looking for Speakers and Presenters for school presentations as well as Companies interested in offering Life Skills workshops to clients of the Juvenile Drug Court. Incentives such as snacks and logoed pens and notebooks are also welcomed and appreciated!
Contact us: info@GuamChamber.com.gu or call 472-6311.
Guam Chamber of Commerce • 472-6311/ 8001 • info@GuamChamber.com.gu