July 28, 2020
Back to BUSINESS ADVOCACY Local & Regional Interactions
Mayor Provides Update to Chamber Board of Directors
Board members are vital during a chamber, community, or world-wide crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. During today's virtual Board of Directors meeting, Mayor Hardie Davis Jr. provided updates on the city and discussed the following topics:
  • Unemployment stats
  • PPP and business aid
  • City financial update
  • Mask mandate

Mayor Davis encourages everyone in our community to "Help Stop the Spread by three W’s: Wear a mask, Wash your hands and Watch your surroundings - remain 6 feet apart."

Please refer to the two websites below for daily status reports, testing information and risk levels for each county.
Its Crunch Time Georgia! 2020 CENSUS PUSH FOR GEORGIA
Join  #2020CensusPushGA  to Ensure EVERYONE is Represented!  2020 CENSUS PUSH FOR GEORGIA

From now through the end of July, the 2020 Census Push for Georgia campaign is intended to highlight compelling reasons why everyone should respond to the 2020 Census and to encourage those who have not responded yet to do so TODAY.

Take a selfie holding a sign showing why YOU responded to the 2020 Census. Post that
on Facebook, Instagram, etc. and challenge others to do the same. Remember to include the response website  www.my2020census.gov  and the hashtag  #2020CensusPushGA

Come up with your own custom message or use one of the example messages in your post, motivating others to respond today.
Parents Feel Their Current Childcare Arrangement is Unsustainable
A  report  released today by the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s Center for Education and Workforce revealed that the majority of parents feel their provisional childcare arrangement is unsustainable. More than one in five are unsure whether they will fully return to work.

The report examines how working parents of children under the age of six are navigating childcare during the coronavirus pandemic and is the first in a series of polls that will survey working parents and employers into the fall.

Key takeaways:  COVID-19 has altered the work environment of nearly 90% of working parents and caused two-thirds to adjust their childcare arrangements. Sixty percent of working parents say they will need to change their arrangement within the year, and 35% will need to change within the next three months.
Augusta’s Unemployment Rate Drops in June
Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Augusta’s unemployment rate decreased in June.

Due to the effects of COVID-19, all MSAs continue to see stinted yearly growth, yet monthly gains in nearly all major sectors are beginning to spike. 

“June continued to show positive growth across all MSAs,” said Commissioner of Labor Mark Butler. “We saw almost all major indicators head in the right direction but continue to work to support Georgia businesses and get Georgians back to work.”
Back to BUSINESS MEMBER NEWS Celebrating our Members
New Members

Thank you WOW! Business for upgrading your membership to a Partnership Level Cornerstone Member!
Ribbon Cutting Celebrations
8.27.2020 - Beacon Station
Augusta Metro Chamber Chat with Charles Schwab & Co.
Charles Schwab & Co. is the nation's largest online brokerage firm offering the convenience of a local branch. At the Augusta GA Independent Branch, John Rhodes welcomes you and is committed to providing personalized help to reach your specific goals. Charles Schwab is a relationship you can trust, close to home.
Good news! American Express® Enrollment Period Extended
American Express has extended the offer enrollment period to 8/23/20 – so even more eligible Amex® Card Members have the chance to get rewarded when they Shop Small.

American Express Card Members can get $5 back in the form of a statement credit after they spend $10 or more at eligible small businesses – in stores and online – up to 10x* after they enroll on ShopSmall.com by 8/23/20.

Download your Neighborhood Champion Toolkit to share the offer with your community.

To help the small businesses in your community prepare for their next phase of reopening, we’ve included a few new things in the toolkit. From safety signage to a contactless payment sticker, we hope you have everything you need to keep showing up for your community.
Back to BUSINESS MEMBER PROGRAMS Chamber Events & Programs
Sponsorships are Selling Out Fast, Sign Up Today!
The Annual Golf Classic is ideal for business development and team building, and offers the opportunity to highlight your company through sponsorships. Several new, exclusive sponsorship opportunities are still available.  Click here to see all sponsorship options
20th Annual Golf Classic presented by
Back to BUSINESS CHAMBER NEWS Updates, Initiatives & More
Add Your Headshot, Making the Most of Your Member Directory
Adding headshots to profiles is an easy way to spice up your listings!

To add a headshot image to a profile:
  • Go to the Details tab on the record.
  • Scroll down to the Profile Information section.
  • Click the Upload File button. 
  • Select the file and click Open.
  • Click the Save button in the upper right area of the profile.

Important: Headshot Sizing
Headshots should be resized to 300 x 300 (square). Uploaded images will be forced to this size and shape automatically, so you should be sure to utilize Novi's headshot and logo adjustment tool .

Don't forget! For every business that adds your company logo or digital image on your online directory listing and/or includes Post COVID Operations on your member profile, will receive a  20% off coupon for Augusta & Co.
Business Education Advisory Council Supports Virtual Tutoring
Last week, your Chamber was proud to support the Richmond County School System with personalized, live virtual 1:1 tutoring for students that is connected to the classroom and drives results. The donation of $5,000 was granted through the Chamber’s Business Education Advisory Council and Georgia Power from the Education Resources of Augusta (ERA) Fund, a donor advised fund through the Community Foundation of the CSRA.
Joana, Students2Work Summer Intern, Last Day with the Chamber
Sending big air hugs to our intern Joana Arreola! Friday, July 24 was her last day with the Chamber after completing a 6-week summer internship through our Students2Work program. We sent her off in style with a social distance ice cream social. Thank you Joana for all your hard work. Best of luck!
CORNERSTONE MEMBERS Presidents Level Cornerstone Members
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