THE LATEST NEWS:
  • Incremental COVID-19 growth reported in the county. The Ross County Health District said today our cases have grown to 10, but still no deaths have resulted here.
  • Gov. Mike DeWine announced today that he has asked the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation to give up to $1.6 billion to Ohio employers to help ease the economic impact of COVID-19 on Ohio’s economy and business community. BWC has an FAQ document on COVID-19's impact on their operations.
  • The Ross County chapter of the American Red Cross has announced they are only taking blood donations by appointment only.
  • The Gazette has a great story about how the community turned out to support nursing home patients at CareCore at Westmoreland Tuesday.
OSU small business development logo
Two special, but still virtual, Chamber events announced for next week
We have missed you.

No, seriously. I know we're all missing anyone other than our family members these days. Events are canceled, social interaction is regulated to screens and Zoom meetings. It's frustrating, I know.

But we've set up two meetings, both via Zoom, for next week that might help. One is aligned with our mission - connecting businesses with the resources that can help them - while the second one is more of a fun event.

First, at 9:30 a.m. Monday , the Chamber is teaming with our partners Downtown Chillicothe and Greater Chillicothe and Ross County Economic Development to present a session on "COVID-19 Resources for Small Businesses."

We've tapped the folks at the OSU Small Business Development Center in Piketon and Kingston National Bank to present information about all of the resources designed to help small businesses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Melissa Carter of the SBDC and Susan Gearhart of KNB will be in the meeting to talk about the Payment Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans, and more.

Click here to get more information and the registration link for this free event.

The second event comes two days later. We've had to cancel a pair of Business After Business events so far, including next week's event at Rise Realty. If you went to last year's Rise BAB, you know they went all out - live music, food from Hometown Hibachi, and a slew of door prizes. They had big plans again this year, and then, you know, stay-at-home order.

Well, we won't claim to match their effort, but we're going to do a Virtual Business After Business event at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15.

Sorry, we can't supply the food or beer ... that's up to you. But if you tune in on Zoom that evening you'll get some "door prizes" and we'll have some local trivia, and hear from special guests Lori Graves of LoriG Comedy and Tara Gillum from Steiner's Speakeasy.

We're hoping to provide an hour or so of fun that helps us forget that we're pretty much stuck in our houses for multiple hours each day.

Click here to get more information about the Virtual Business After Business.

Before you know it, these virtual meetings and events will be a thing of the past. Until, #BeSafeThinkLocal!
*NEW* Information for small business owners
For our last set of links, click here .

*NEW* Resources:

  • *NEW* Goldman Sachs has announced a specific commitment of $20 million for loans to small businesses in Ohio. Learn more here.
  • *NEW* BE HEARD! The Ohio Chamber of Commerce is trying to gauge the impact of COVID-19 with its quarterly Prosperity Pulse. Click here to take the survey.
  • *NEW* Paycheck Protection Program FAQs (PDF)

FREE WEBINARS :
  • Each day this week - How to succeed at selling remotely (Zoom meeting (register please), courtesy of Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance)
  • Thursday, April 9 at 10 a.m. - How to keep your company safe while working remotely (webinar link, register please)
  • Thursday, April 9 at noon - Special briefing by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Chamber on the Paycheck Protection Program and CARES Act (webinar link, register please)
  • *NEW* Friday, April 10 at noon - Inc. presents National Small Business Town Hall #3 (link)
  • Tuesday, April 14 - How to save your small business. (Cultivate Eventbrite site)
  • Wednesday, May 6 at 9 a.m. or noon - Grow with Google session: Manage Your Business Remotely in Times of Uncertainty (webinar link)
Miss one of these updates? Click below to catch up!
April 5, 2020 - Instant analysis on state establishing Office of Small Business Relief; coming soon Zoom session on COVID-19 resources
April 4, 2020 - More good things being done by our businesses; and more.
April 3, 2020 - Help our nursing home workers by making masks; BWC changes impacting employer programs. Face mask video from CEO Mike Throne.
April 2, 2020 - Stay-at-home order extended to May 1; OSU Small Business Development Center representatives ready to help
April 1, 2020 - Rapid-fire updates and more resources for monies available
March 31, 2020 - What does 'state of emergency' for Ross County mean?; Community Response team
March 30, 2020 : More information on the SBA loans, CARES Act
March 26, 2020 : What 'essential' businesses must do; SBA loans and CARES Act
March 23, 2020 : REGULAR NEWSLETTER: Even as businesses close, they're reaching out to the community; video interview with Alex Kohls from the U.S. Small Business Administration on disaster loans.
March 17, 2020 : A video message from Chamber CEO Mike Throne
Coronavirus numbers, facts and figures
Links to information:

  • Looking for a job? The state has a job page on its Coronavirus page that helps connect those out of work with jobs.

  • The Ohio Channel YouTube page, where the Governor, Lt. Gov. and director of the Ohio Department of Health give regular updates at 2 p.m. on most days.

  • *NEW* COVID-19 Myths and Facts (PDF)

  • Governor's Stay at Home Order (Link)

  • The Chillicothe Ross Community Foundation's Coronavirus Fund needs donations, and can potentially help non-profits with some of the costs of helping the community cope with the impact of COVID-19 in the area.

  • The United Way of Ross County is awarding micro-grants to non-profits working to address community needs due to COVID-19's impact.
Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce | Email Mike Throne | chillicotheohio.com