Dec 8, 2020
TSA-D ON THE VERGE OF ROLLBACKS
Yesterday marked six days of Taylor County’s Trauma Service Area (TSA-D) having COVID-19 hospitalizations over 15 percent. If the hospitalization rate remains above the threshold today, TSA-D will join several other regions rolling back their reopening steps.

Your Chamber is actively monitoring the capacity rate with elected officials and subject matter experts to try to communicate the best possible information to the business community. Please continue to do what you believe is reasonable and necessary with regard to all prescribed and published health guidelines. Your Chamber team is working around the clock for the business community, and don't hesitate to reach out for any specific questions you might have.

TEXAS BEGINS PROVIDING RAPID COVID-19 TESTS TO SMALL BUSINESSES
Chamber of commerce groups in Amarillo, Lubbock, El Paso, Laredo, and Edinburg are distributing rapid COVID-19 tests to small businesses under a new pilot program. These tests, provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are intended for small business owners to test employees and promote public safety.
To read more, click here. 
EMPLOYERS WAITING FOR GUIDANCE ON WHICH WORKERS THEY CAN REQUIRE TO GET A VACCINE
As the COVID-19 vaccine is prepared for distribution in the coming weeks, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is expected to give guidance on employer-mandated vaccination. In a past pandemic, the EEOC allowed for required vaccination, with the exception of employees with certain disabilities or religious beliefs. It is anticipated that the EEOC will take a similar stance in regard to the COVID-19 vaccine. 
To read more, click here.  
GRIPPED BY SURGING PANDEMIC, US EMPLOYERS CUT BACK ON HIRING
Hiring across America declined sharply last month, with only 245,000 jobs added. November's job gain was down drastically from 610,000 in October, making it the month with the fewest amount of job growth since April and the fifth straight monthly slowdown. Most experts say the economy and job market won’t be able to fully recover until the virus can be controlled with an effective and widely used vaccine.
To read more, click here. 
WHAT WE'RE READING

Ag appropriations, COVID relief could come this week

The House will be in session from Monday through Thursday this week as hopes remain high for passage of a final omnibus spending bill ahead of the continuing resolution’s Dec. 11 expiration date and possibly additional COVID-19 relief.


Double check that Zoom link: BBB warns of new phishing scams

The video chatting service Zoom has become extremely popular due to the coronavirus pandemic. But it’s also getting popular with would-be scammers.
You don't want to miss these upcoming event for
your business.

DEC 8 CMMC LEVEL I TRAINING Your Department of Defense contracts are at risk if you don’t achieve Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) certification. Are you 100% ready for the assessment? Whether you’ve been preparing for months or are just getting started, you can benefit from our CMMC Level 1 webinar on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at 10:00 am Central Time. We’ve partnered with Project Spectrum, a DoD-sponsored initiative, to deliver an exclusive, one-hour event to prepare you for CMMC certification. Register here.

DEC 8 FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES: NAVIGATING FRIENDS GROUP PARTNERSHIPS
Angela Reed, Community Partnerships Coordinator, Texas Historical Commission, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2 p.m. CT. This webinar will focus on auxiliary groups and nonprofits that support museums, parks, zoos, or cultural organizations. Reed will discuss how to build a strong partnership framework and why that framework is important to both the auxiliary group and the organization it supports. This webinar is for board members of nonprofits, staff who work with their supporting nonprofit, and anyone considering forming a non-profit support group. Register here.

DEC 9 THE SERVICE CONTRACT LABOR STANDARD STATUTE The service contract act was enacted in 1965 to ensure that service workers are paid established wage rates and benefits for the work being performed.  Join Northwest Texas PTAC, Senior Field Advisor, Mark Snyder as he provides you with a general understanding of the Service Contract Labor Standard Statute. You’ll learn about the prevailing wage, how to search beta.sam.gov wage determination section, conformances, collective bargaining agreements, and other topics applicable to this Act. Register here.
 
DEC 9 MANAGING MUSEUM RISKS DURING A PANDEMIC 10 a.m. CT, Texas Association of Museums. Register here.

DEC 9 HEALTH AND SAFETY IN DISASTERS 1 p.m. CT, American Institute for Conservation. Register here.

DEC 15 CAN YOU WEATHER THE STORM? Tips on Budgeting, KPIs, and Reviewing Financial Statements, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2 p.m. CT. Register here.

DEC 18 GROW WITH GOOGLE WEBINAR - MAKE BETTER BUSINESS DECISIONS WITH ANALYTICS - PART 2
Learn best practices and analyze trends about how customers engage with your business online, then turn these insights into well-informed, actionable decisions. Register here.

JAN 13 INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING The Federal Government spends over half of a trillion dollars on goods and services each year. States and local governments spend 1.5 trillion dollars on goods and services cumulatively each year. This webinar covers the basics of doing business in the public sector at all levels. Register here.