Springfield Chamber
COVID-19 Bulletin
May 15, 2020
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Today a heightened sense of optimism is in the air. Many of our favorite establishments are able to resume operations under Phase I modified restrictions, and we’re anxious to get out and support them. As we do so, we remember there are many ways we can support local business, one of which is to remain mindful of public health and safety guidelines. Doing so will assure outcomes necessary to get us to a Phase II reopening and a step closer to economic recovery. It’s important to remember, many businesses will choose a slower, more gradual return. We support their decision to determine their best path forward. Meanwhile we’ll focus our efforts on working with government and business leaders on a sure and steady path to economic recovery. I know you’re with us on that front. As you venture out and about, bring along an extra dose of patience and generosity as we all prepare for a smooth and successful transition.
Check out our county-approved
Back to Business: A Guide to Re-Opening
designed with the small business owner in mind. You can watch for updates shortly as we add newly released guidance for gyms, childcare, and other, and as we collect more tools and tips to support your return to business plans.
On that note, I encourage participation in our
Business Boot Camp
webinar series; a timely opportunity to reimagine your business, with recovery and resiliency top of mind. Finally, check your listing on our
Open for Business Page
– and reach out to us if you have any modifications or changes we can make.
One last word, take some time just for yourself, and remember we’re still just a phone call away.
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-Vonnie Mikkelsen, President and CEO
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Back to Business
A Guide to Re-Opening
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Lane County has been approved for Phase 1 re-opening, with the option for businesses to open with limitations as soon as TODAY. In partnership with the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, we've put together this guideline for re-opening businesses - it contains valuable information for specific industries to follow Governor Brown's guidelines and helpful tools for employers and the general public in an easy-to-follow format.
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We've compiled a list of relevant links related to Reopening Oregon, including a document from the Governor's office, Lane County's blueprint for reopening, guidelines by sector and category, and more. You can locate them under the tab "Reopening Oregon" in our Business Resource Hub COVID-19:
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Local Businesses Adjust to Reopening Guidelines
How Residents can Make the Transition Smooth: Patience, Respect, & Thoughtfulness
Travel Lane County, along with our area chambers of commerce, are excited that Lane County is moving into Phase 1 reopening. Many businesses have gone to great lengths to continue serving customers during the last couple of months and area residents have been supportive of these businesses. Phase 1 reopening provides us an opportunity to support these and many more businesses that will begin operating in the weeks ahead.
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In Your Words
Oregon Businesses Respond to COVID-19
The
Oregon State Chamber of Commerce
(OSCC) is collecting personal stories from Oregon businesses and non-profits that have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, including their challenges accessing federal stimulus dollars, impacts to their workforce, and issues they anticipate in reopening. The stories being collected are part of an “…In Their Own Words” effort by OSCC to collect unfiltered and real feedback from local businesses to help policymakers both understand what’s happening to local businesses and adopt policies that hit the mark in helping with recovery.
The Governor and state legislature needs to hear from impacted businesses today to secure the support they need to reopen and recover!
Please take this survey below if you haven’t already:
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28 Oregon counties approved for Phase 1 reopening
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At a press conference yesterday morning, Governor Kate Brown announced that 28 counties have been approved for the Phase 1 reopening.
Here is the list of counties approved for Phase 1 reopening beginning today, May 15th:
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- Baker
- Benton
- Clatsop
- Columbia
- Coos
- Crook
- Curry
- Deschutes
- Douglas
- Gilliam
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- Grant
- Harney
- Hood River
- Jackson
- Josephine
- Klamath
- Lake
- Lane
- Lincoln
- Linn
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- Malheur
- Sherman
- Tillamook
- Union
- Wallowa
- Wasco
- Wheeler
- Yamhill
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The two counties that were not approved were:
Three counties are still under review:
- Jefferson
- Umatilla
- Morrow
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Three counties did not submit applications:
- Clackamas
- Multnomah
- Washington
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COVID-19 CARES Act Updates
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Watch the latest US Chamber + Inc. National Town Hall webinar for information on ongoing CARES Act legislations and small business survival strategies:
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Watch the latest short video update from Robert Killen, Director of Lane Small Business Development Center (SBDC), on Restarting the Oregon Economy and Funding Updates:
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The Oregon Employment Department is providing unemployment benefits through the CARES Act Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. In preparation, the agency has recruited and trained staff to process PUA claims. Please access the PUA application and certification forms on the CARES Act section of the Employment Department’s COVID-19 web page:
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IRS information (English & Spanish) for taxpayers, businesses, tax-exempt organizations, and others who need information about Coronavirus tax relief and economic impact payments:
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Legislative Advocacy
Your Business. Your Community. Your Voice.
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Government Issues & Economic Development Committees
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As the COVID-19 response continues to move rapidly at the local, state, and federal levels, we have moved our Government Issues Committee meetings to a weekly occurrence. We invite you to join us 8am Tuesday mornings via Zoom to stay on top of local, regional, and state issues of impact on business and community.
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Upcoming Government Issues Committee Meetings
Tuesday, May 19th, 8:00am, Zoom Conference
Next week the Chamber's Government Issues and Economic Development Committees are excited to host a discussion with Travel Lane County around re-opening within lane county. Travel Lane County's CEO Kari Westlund will touch on supporting public, employee, and consumer confidence during the phased reopening as well as how the community can help to ensure a smooth transition during phase 1.
Please email Max Molzahn (max@springfield-chamber.org) or Dani Thompson (dani@springfield-chamber.org) for more information and an invitation to the Zoom Meeting.
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Business Bootcamp LIVE
Wednesday May 20, & Wednesday May 27
Virtual Zoom Webinars - FREE for Members
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Join The Springfield Chamber ONLINE for Business Boot Camp LIVE!
Session 2 is next Wednesday!
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NEXT WEEK: Session 2: Best Practices for Remote and Secure Workforce
Brought to you by Partnered Solutions IT
Now more than ever remote work and working from home has become an important tool for businesses. Tune in to discuss best practices for keeping your employees and your business secure and connected while working outside of the office.
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Oregon RAIN Spanish Workshop: Finanzas para negocios 101
Thursday, May 21
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Oregon RAIN is organizing their first workshop in Spanish on May 21, from 12-1pm, run by Ani Raas. Please
join the workshop and help spread the word among Latinx business owners!
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Finanzas para negocios 101:
Cómo emprendedor es sumamente importante manejar bien las finanzas. Aprenda con Anielis Raas (Ani) los básicos de finanzas para administrar su pequeña empresa el Jueves, 21 de Mayo.
Business Finances 101
: As an entrepreneur, it is highly important to manage finances well. Learn the basics of small business finances with Anielis Raas (Ani) on Thursday, May, 21st.
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Education & Talent Development
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Upcoming Education Meetings
May 21st, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
If you would like to join this committee meeting or if you have any questions please email our Director of Development and Talent Initiatives Paige Sharpe (
paige@springfield-chamber.org
)
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Member Continuity and Relief Options
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We are deeply appreciative of our members’ support to the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, and grateful for the sacrifices you’ve made to protect the health of our community, employees, and families during these unprecedented times.
Many of our members who are feeling the greatest impacts are the same local small businesses and non-profit organizations that have and will define us as a community. We are very aware of the overwhelmingly difficult decisions you may be facing. We are equally aware of the financial burdens.
To this end, we’ve established multiple COVID-19 member continuity and relief options that we think you’ll find of value, including the Membership Match Program, sponsored by Oregon Community Credit Union. If you have any questions about our COVID-19 member continuity and relief options, please reach out to our Member Services team at
max@springfield-chamber.org
.
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Open for Business
Stay Safe | Support Local
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As we enter Phase 1 of re-opening,
make sure you
update your listing
on our
Open for Business
page!
Update your listing by filling out this form:
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The Chamber Community has been stepping up, leaning in, making tough decisions, surviving, innovating, hiring, pivoting, and is deserving of support and acknowledgment. Check out some of these important updates from our Chamber members:
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In the midst of COVID-19, Derek and Mindy Weber, owners of
The Washburne Cafe,
have largely been operating on isolated to-go orders and community support. Local businesses have also grown closer together as they try to support one another during the uncertainty. “I feel like we’re just passing the same $40 back to one another because we all try to help each other out,” Derek said.
By supporting one local business, each customer is supporting a community of local businesses, Mindy said.
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Valley River Center
announced Thursday the mall will be opening Friday (today) at 11 a.m.! There will be modified hours for the time being. The mall will be open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m.
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During these uncertain times, we recognize the strength and resiliency of the Springfield Chamber community. Thank you to those who have shared your story. To all our members, please help us share yours. Contact Elora Kelsh,
elora@springfield-chamber.org
for more information.
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Chronicle ends donation campaign
It is with great humility and gratitude that The Chronicle can announce that its donation campaign is over as of today. We qualified for and received a Payroll Protection Plan emergency/disaster loan, which will ensure our survival.
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Two local businesses help with a special senior meals day
A community collaboration is taking place between a senior meals program and two local partners to serve clients on an otherwise idle day.
Euphoria Chocolate
and the Texas Roadhouse will provide 250 special takeout and delivery meals to the Senior Meals Program participants in Springfield on Friday, the one day of the month that the program normally would not be able to serve food.
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Staying Well
As employees work from home under stressful conditions, wellness coaches adapt their strategies.
While plenty of businesses have workplace wellness programs, the Covid-19 pandemic presents new health challenges that employees and employers did not plan for.
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Friday COVID-19 Bulletin | Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce
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