Chamber Connection Newsletter
February 2021

Upcoming Events

Hybrid Speaker Series
Business Luncheon

Tuesday, February 9, 2021
12:00PM - 1:00PM

Guest Speaker
Eric Flowers, Sheriff
Indian River County


*Please bring your business cards for networking and to be entered into the drawing as a future Chamber Connection Newsletter "Member Spotlight"!
Ribbon Cutting Celebration
Sebastian Train Depot
705 Cleveland Street
Sebastian, FL 32958

Time: 10:30am - 11:00am

HYBRID Cocktails & Conversations

Thursday, February 18, 2021
5:00pm - 6:00pm

Guest Speaker
Wesley Campbell - Owner of Mo-Bay Grill

Topic: Success
Special Business Marketing Opportunities
2021 SRACC Networking Sponsors Opportunities

2021 In-Person Chamber Networking Is Back!

We will begin on February 9, 2021 with a HYBRID Speaker Series Luncheon! We will be LIVE at Capt Hirams Resort AND VIRTUAL through ZOOM!

We have opportunities for our members to spotlight their business through Lunch Sponsorships! Please call the Chamber for details and schedule to SPONSOR a networking event today!
Concerts in the Park Intermission Raffles Needed


Donate a Raffle Item (s):

Get your business recognized at every concert by donating raffle items to be given out during intermission. It's a great way to get name recognition and a quick spotlight of your business in front of a large crowd! Gift certificates can be mailed in or give us a call and we'll be happy to pick them up.

ECONOMICAL AND EFFECTIVE!
SAVE THE DATES
March 19th - March 21st
Free Entry-Free Parking. Food Truck and Restaurants, Shrimp and Craft Brews. Three days of Shrimp, craft beer, live music and kids' events!

Saturday, May 1st, 2021
30th Annual Pelican Cup
Golf Tournament
Saturday, May 1st, 2021
Sandridge Golf Club

"Volunteer's Needed"
Please call the Chamber to be added to the Committee ...


Coming Soon! 2021 Chamber Business Directory &
Community Guide
So excited that our 2021 Business Directory and Community Guide will be printed and available for distribution in early February! We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the completion of this project, but especially Sue Skirvin, Tupperware and Capt Christy Lenz, Capt Christy's Casual Cruisin' who volunteered countless hours securing Directory Ad Sales!

Ongoing Business Marketing Opportunities
Send us your business announcements, press releases, and exciting news! We'll share it with the community.

Shop chamber members first with the Business-to-Business
Discount Program.

See featured B2B discounts in this email. New discounts featured each month!

(Your Ad Here $75)
Spread the word about your services or resources - use digital advertising today!
Business Recovery Grants
Business-to-Business Discounts
Shop local and shop Chamber Members first.
Don't forget to take advantage of the Business-to-Business Discounts available!
Bay Street Pharmacy
20% off vitamins/cholesterol testing, free delivery/local businesses
7746 Bay St.
Sebastian, FL 32958
772-589-2043
Avon - Rosi Stubbs
10% off products
772-778-5277
K-12 Tax Services
$35 off new client and 1 hour free consult
9432 N Us Hwy 1
Sebastian, FL 32958
772-646-0037
See all our our Membership Business-to-Business Discounts Here
SBA Extends Crucial Lifeline to Borrowers Impacted by
COVID-19 with Debt Relief
 
WASHINGTON – As the U.S. Small Business Administration continues implementation of the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act, signed into law by President Trump on Dec. 27, 2020, SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza made the following statement in regards to Section 325:
 
“Small business is big business in America, and this Administration will continue to extend a lifeline to small business owners during this critical time. Congress charged the SBA with making debt relief payments (principal, interest and fee payments) under Section 1112 of the CARES Act to help borrowers in SBA’s 7(a), 504 and Microloan programs; and now SBA is working expeditiously to implement the newly enacted assistance.
 
The new law extends SBA debt relief authority, allowing the Administration to continue alleviating adverse economic effects of COVID-19 for small businesses with SBA loans. Since April last year, the SBA has made over $7.1 billion in payments across 1,819,130 loans on behalf of these borrowers. It’s important to note that these firms were also initially able to access capital because of the SBA federal guarantee.”
 
The SBA is determining how much additional debt relief assistance can be provided to SBA borrowers with the newly issued Congressional appropriation. Debt Relief guidance will soon be posted on the SBA website.Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)

SBA Began Processing PPP applications again on January 11th 
 
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, re-opened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal today at 9 am ET. SBA is continuing its dedicated commitment to underserved small businesses and to addressing potential access to capital barriers by initially granting PPP access exclusively to community financial institutions (CFIs) that typically serve these concerns.
 
When the PPP loan portal re-opened today, it initially accepted First Draw PPP loan applications from participating CFIs, which include Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), Certified Development Companies (CDCs) and Microloan Intermediaries. These lenders made up approximately 10% of all PPP participating lenders in 2020. A First Draw PPP loan is for those borrowers who have yet to receive a PPP loan before the program closed in August 2020. 

On Jan. 13, 2021, participating CFIs may begin submitting application information to SBA for Second Draw PPP loans. A Second Draw PPP loan is for certain eligible borrowers that previously received a PPP loan, generally have 300 employees or less, and has suffered a 25% reduction in gross receipts. At least $15 billion is set aside for additional PPP lending by CFIs.
 
A few days later, additional lenders will be able to submit First and Second draw PPP loan applications. SBA will continue to provide updates on systems operations during the week of Jan. 11, 2021. Additionally, SBA plans to dedicate specific times to process and assist the smallest PPP lenders with loan applications from eligible small businesses.
 
The opening of the SBA loan system is designed to efficiently and effectively implement the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act and to ensure increased access to the PPP for minority-, underserved-, veteran- and women-owned small business concerns. SBA also is calling upon its lending partners to redouble their efforts to assist eligible borrowers in underserved and disadvantaged communities.

If you wish to begin preparing your application, you can download the following PPP borrower application forms to see the information that will be requested from you when you apply with a lender:
 
 
Loan Details
 
  • The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.
  • SBA will forgive loans if all employee retention criteria are met, and the funds are used for eligible expenses.
  • PPP loans have an interest rate of 1%
  • Loans issued prior to June 5 have a maturity of 2 years. Loans issued after June 5 have a maturity of 5 years.
  • Loan payments will be deferred for borrowers who apply for loan forgiveness until SBA remits the borrower's loan forgiveness amount to the lender. If a borrower does not apply for loan forgiveness, payments are deferred 10 months after the end of the covered period for the borrower's loan forgiveness (either 8 weeks or 24 weeks).
  • No collateral or personal guarantees are required.
  • Neither the government nor lenders will charge small businesses any fees.

How To Apply
 
You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in the program. Any existing SBA 7(a) lender or any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution may opt to participate in this program. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. Source: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program

Have you already received PPP but have not requested forgiveness?
Application(s):

Click here to view the simpler loan forgiveness application.
Click here to view the instructions for completing the simpler loan forgiveness application. 
FREE WEBINARS
Re-Imagining Your Business: Pathways to Profitability
In Partnership with the Indian River County, Sebastian River Area, and Vero Beach Chambers of Commerce we Present:

Thousands of small businesses in America are dealing with the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several have failed and closed their business and others are at risk of shutting down. Entrepreneurs are a special breed of business owners. They know they must do something, but are unsure of the next steps.

This timely SCORE "Business Accelerator Series" ™ will help guide you back on the road to profitability. These programs are designed for the benefit of Indian River County Businesses and Entrepreneurs with thanks to the support from the Chambers.

This series is being presented in four sessions from January 13, 2021 through February 3, 2021. You can attend all four (recommended) or select the session(s) you feel will best fit your needs. Please read below for details:
Session 3 -- Revving Up Your Sales

January 27, 2020
Time -- 9:30 - 11:00 am
This is an on-line Live Webinar

This session focuses on how to position and redeploy your sales activities, including sales strategies to increase revenue and quickly track results. 

Session 4 -- Building Your Team
February 3, 2020
Time -- 9:30 - 11:00 am
This is an on-line Live Webinar

This session provides guidance and tips in Recruiting, Hiring and Managing People so that you can build your team with the best people while creating an environment to keep them.

Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
SCORE Treasure Coast
3220 South U.S. 1, Suite 2
Fort Pierce, FL 34952
Tel: 772-489-0548
Email Us
January 2020 Recap
In the Know Virtual Business Briefing Series
Our January Speaker Series guest was Miranda C. Hawker, Health Officer, Florida Department of Health in Indian River County. She spoke about COVID-19 STATUS. Wrapping up with the Q & A segment, Miranda was very helpful in answering all questions from our membership. If anyone would like a copy of the presentation please call the office @ 772-589-5969.
"CONCERTS IN THE PARK PICTURES"
SRACC Would like to thank all of you for participating in the
" Concerts in the Park " and appreciate your support! We hope you had fun, and we look forward to seeing you at the next event.
Welcome to Our New Members
Cultural Council of Indian River County
2041 - 14th Ave.
Vero Beach, FL 32960
772-770-4857
http://www.cultural-council.org

Precision Property Inspections
Fellsmere
772-559-6600
http://www.florida-ppi.com
Sebastian Train Depot
705 Cleveland St.
Sebastian, FL 32958
772-918-4760
http://www.sebastiantraindepot.com
SERVPRO of Sebastian
9611 N US Hwy 1, Suite 304
Sebastian, FL 32958
772-2772100
http://www.servprosebastian.com
WeFIX Plus Ultimate Phone Repair
971 Sebastian Blvd.
Sebastian, FL 32958
772-249-2000
www.wefixplus.com
Timeless Landscaping
Sebastian
772-307-7000
Thank You Renewing Members
  • A Kitchen of Her Own
  • Adams Homes of Northwest FL, Inc.
  • Airboat Wilderness Rides
  • Aunt Louise's Pizzeria
  • Barker Electric, Air Conditioning & Heating
  • Bay Street Pharmacy Inlet
  • Beaudoin Sr., Joseph, Realtor - Coldwell Banker Paradise
  • Capt. Bob's Airboat Adventure Tours, LLC
  • Caribbean Luxury Vacations
  • CEMCO Construction Co.
  • City of Sebastian
  • Sebastian River Junior Woman's Club
  • Goodall, Jennifer, Realtor - RE/MAX Crown Realty
  • Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital
  • Coldwell Banker Paradise
  • Community Tire & Auto Service, Inc.
  • Countryside Family Farms
  • Crystal Pools
  • Dill, Evans & Rhodeback
  • Don's Aluminum
  • Executive Roundtable of IRC
  • Florida Eye Institute
  • Friends of the North IRC Library
  • Gingras, Marc - Realtor | Coldwell Banker Paradise
  • Grall, Erin | Representative - FL House of Representatives
  • Hen House Eatery
  • Insite Solution, Inc.
  • iTHINK Financial - Sebastian
  • Jake Witt State Farm
  • LegalShield
  • Live Now Jim & Carolyn/DSRE
  • MacEvoy Real Estate Co.
  • Meeks Plumbing, Inc.
  • Mel Fisher's Treasure Museum
  • Mo-Bay Grill
  • Nuttal, Donini & Associates, CPA's
  • Passage Island Construction
  • Peacemaker Charters
  • Pelican's Landing RV Resort
  • Phyllis D. Smith, CPA, PA
  • Press Journal/TCPalm
  • RE/MAX Crown REalty
  • Rock City Gardens
  • School District of IRC
  • Sebastian Inlet Sail & Power Squadron
  • Sebastian Insurance
  • Sebastian United Methodist Church
  • Senior Resource Association
  • SkyDive Sebastian
  • St. Sebastian Catholic Church
  • United Way of IRC
  • VanDeVoorde Hall Law, PL
  • VIP America Home Health Referrals
  • WellMed Medical Management
  • Yellow Dog Cafe


"Member Spotlight"
  • Wesley Campbell

MO-BAY GRILL SECRET INGREDIENT
  
Wesley Campbell was born into the restaurant business as Mr. Campbell watched his parents cook various dishes. He observed them make dishes like steamed grouper, snapper, and jerk pork and chicken in their restaurants in Jamaica.
The call to the culinary arts couldn’t be ignored. At the age of fourteen, Campbell’s love for cooking inspired him to enter a cooking competition where he astonished the judges with his sophisticated dish. This would set the stage for what would become a deliciously eventful career! Wesley began his first job at the Half Moon Resort in Jamaica where he peeled 5 bags of potatoes a day. With a drive for learning and through hard work, Wesley quickly acquired the skills and knowledge to become the Pastry Assistant. Struck with Campbell’s potential, the Half Moon Resort sent him to Austria for additional training. Campbell would soon become the Executive Chef of the resort at the age of 20 years old.
Wesley Campbell continued to learn and seek new experiences as he then moved to the Wyndham Rose- Hall Hotel Resort and began expanding his culinary skills. Soon after, a friend opened a restaurant in Washington, DC area called Montego Bay Café and Campbell left Jamaica for the promise of an Americanized culinary dream. Campbell helped his friend and his business to thrive. He continued his culinary successes in DC while working as the Executive Sous Chef for the Mayflower Hotel, Oxidant Grill, Georgia Brown Restaurant, and Executive Chef for Georgetown Seafood Grill, before accepting the call to the Daily Grill where he was hired as the Assistant Chef. As a testament to his vast skills and knowledge, he was promoted to be the chef on his 5th day of work. Over the following years, he worked his way up the corporate ladder, becoming the corporate chef of the company and opening and managing 5 Grill Concept Inc. restaurants in the Washington DC & Houston Area. Hard work and dedication are the backbone of Campbell’s success. There is no question of Campbell’s talent in the kitchen! During his career, he has won 14 Gold and 6 Silver Medals for his culinary masterpieces. His accolades include being awarded Chef of the Year in Jamaica. Due to his extraordinary talents as a chef, Campbell was also nominated to represent his country in the International Culinary Olympic Competition. Campbell was the winner of the Adam Morgan Day Fine Dining Restaurant competition and he is a two-time first place winner of the Sysco Platinum Chef competition for the DC/ Virginia and Baltimore area. In 2005, Campbell jumped at the opportunity to open his own restaurant and launched Mo- Bay Grill. At the Mo-Bay Grill, international flavors are presented in a small-town atmosphere, and meals are meant to engage appetites! 
For 14+ years, Campbell’s faith, hard work, and dedication to his craft, food quality, presentation, and excellent service, helped Mo-Bay Grill to survive the recession of 2007.
Adversity did not stop there! On one Thanksgiving Eve, Campbell received notice that his lease in his original location would not be renewed. He had 30 days to find a new location; however, Campbell had a vision and a never-give-up attitude. Through faith, he arrived on the riverfront and continues to call his new location at 1401 Indian River Drive home. The Mo-Bay Grill is now the #1 rated restaurant on Trip Advisor, Yelp, and Google in Sebastian. Campbell’s love for food, the people, and the city of Sebastian is steadfast! Campbell is a "Man of God" who is willing to serve with excellence. Come eat, love and be happy at Mo-Bay Grill!
Do you have Swag?

Do you have extra unique promotional items (pens, pads, band-aids, sanitizer, coupons, etc.) that is just waiting to be added to a "Swag Bag"? I am introducing our Current members to New and Prospective Members, getting them excited about joining our family! Promoting our community of businesses is our best way of communicating our strength and purpose as a Chamber. Being able to market you through your collateral makes good business sense! Who better to represent the chamber than our members? Let me work for you, market for you, while working to increase our member base.

We are only including "literature or card" items if they are including coupons. Please no "food" items. Only 1 item per business, please.

Please call me at the Chamber with any questions - 772-589-5969
Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce Office Hours
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Monday - Friday

Pelican Porch Visitor Center Hours
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Monday - Friday

Please note Masks required when entering our building. Maximum 6 people at a time.