COVID UPDATES
Wright County Offering Up Grant Program for Businesses
PRESS RELEASE-Wright County, August 28th, 2020-Wright County Economic Development Partnership (WCEDP) is administering a grant program on behalf of the Wright County Board of Commissioners for businesses and non-profits that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Qualified entities will be those that can demonstrate business losses as a result of COVID-19, are physically located in Wright County, have 50 or less employees, have active status with the Minnesota Secretary of State and are in good standing with Wright County property taxes.
The CARES pandemic relief grant applicants may request up to $20,000 in grant assistance based on need. Grant applications will be considered and acted upon by the WCEDP and the Wright County Board.
The CARES pandemic relief grant application process will be open from September 10th through October 8th, 2020.
All applications will need to be completed online.
This is monies that the County has allotted for businesses effected by COVID. If you didn't apply for the City of Buffalo grant, or even if you did, this is an opportunity to help make 2020-2021 sustainable for your business. This is a grant - not a loan. Thanks WCEDP for managing this process and for helping make the businesses of Wright County stay alive!
Nationwide Update
Since the nationwide peak on July 24th, we have seen a 38% decline in the 7-day average of new cases.
Coronavirus hospitalizations have declined to 9% of inpatient admissions, down from its peak of 24% of admissions.
So far, more than 10,000 testing instruments and nearly 3 million tests have been shipped to nursing homes, with more on the way this week.
The United States has conducted more than 84 million tests.
Local Update
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WHO'S THAT MEMBER BUSINESS/BUILDING? |
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WHO'S THAT MEMBER BUILDING
Take a shot at this one! You will smile when you get the answer right!
Last weeks winner was Judy Maznio from the Wright County Journal Press with CUB Foods. CUB has always been there for us - donating cookies and gift cards and making our donuts for member visits. Thanks CUB for being a staple in Buffalo!
Email me at [email protected] if you think you have the right answer! First one in gets put in a quarterly drawing for $10 of Buffalo Bucks!
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WRIGHT COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP (WCEDP)
1405 3rd Ave NE (Officing out of Wright Tech Building)
763-477-3086
Since we highlighted their grant program above, let's meet the dynamic duo that makes up the WCEDP team! Below (in the skirt) you will see the new Executive Director, Jolene Foss, who started just a few months back as Duane Northagen retired. Next to her is Missy Meidinger who has been with the Partnership for going on three years. They are book-ended by Ambassadors Rob Stark from Edward Jones and Jennifer Carlson from American Family/Chris Chapman.
The Wright County Economic Development Partnership is the primary point of contact for existing, start-up, and relocating businesses. They are the economic development arm of the County—a not for profit partnership of area businesses, communities, and the County working together to enhance the economic vitality of our region. There Partnership provides economic development and marketing assistance to 16 communities: Albertville, Annandale, Buffalo, Clearwater, Cokato, Delano, Hanover, Howard Lake, Maple Lake, Monticello, Montrose, Otsego, Rockford, South Haven, St. Michael and Waverly.
WCEDP fulfills its mission by providing technical and financial assistance to businesses in Wright County and those looking to locate here. WCEDP is financially supported by local community governments, the county, and area businesses dedicated to supporting sustainable growth. I know many of the Partnership members are our Chamber members. If your business is looking to grow or you want more involvement from a larger scope, explore membership with the Partnership. The value member investor’s gain from the Partnership is both direct and indirect. Member investor’s directly gain from the functions listed below. This extensive list of functions is supported by WCEDP and its member investors, providing a powerful, partnership-oriented organization dedicated to enhancing Wright County. The indirect benefit is through supporting a County-wide effort to increase the vitality of our region. Your support enables the Partnership to directly aid our local businesses and community which directly supports your entity.
WCEDP provides the following services:
- Business Development and Counseling
- Site Selection and Promotion
- Marketing the County
- Financial Packaging
- Capacity Building Seminars
- Direct Networking
- Workforce Development
Give Jolene or Missy a call if you have questions regarding the Partnership! They are also hosting a golf tournament next week, September 15th! If you didn't get enough last week at our tournament - here's another chance!
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CHAMBER GOLF TOURNAMENT WAS A HOT BUT SUCCESSFUL EVENT!
Thank you to all who participated! The camaraderie was great, the games fun, the food delicious and the outcome of the raffles and live auction very generous!
Thank you to our many volunteers and to the golf committee for helping to make the event go off without a hitch! Enjoy some sights from the day!
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FEEDBACC TRAINING
(forums for engagement and educational development by the Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce)
ACTIVE SHOOTER/LOSS PREVENTION/IDENTITY THEFT
Tuesday, September 15th 11:30-1:00
Bison Creek/Event Center
Attention all businesses with employees to train, retailers with goods that can be stolen, and anyone wanting to learn how best to protect ourselves from identity theft!
This has been a requested training opportunity and our Buffalo Police Department is ready to serve! See what our own BPD has been trained to know and do and share with us as business owners as to what we should know and do in an active shooter situation.
Attention retail businesses! You have requested some information on what to do if there is theft in your store. Come find out how to best handle those scenarios!
Identity theft is always happening and the BPD have suggestions as to how to avoid having it happen to you!
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GOOD MORNING BUFFALO
Thursday, September 17th 8:00 a.m.
Insurance Center of Buffalo
310 10th Ave S.
Join us for our rescheduling of the Good Morning Buffalo that was to have happened in March! With 2020 comes much flexibility and we are happy that Gary Trogstad and his team are able to host us now and show us their newly remodeled space. Come meet the team you read about last week in person!
Enjoy some treats, elbow bump and meet some new leaders of the community and start your Thursday off right!
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6 WAYS TO SUPPORT WORKING PARENTS DURING COVID
As we acclimate to the “new normal for now,” parents are presented with what may be the hardest Rubik’s Cube of them all during this whole COVID experience: Start the school year as a full-time employee and de facto full-time home educator.
These challenges present a once-in-a-generation opportunity for HR leaders. Navigating the needs of employees, the expectations of leadership, and the requirements of the organization is a monumentally important task that requires creativity and agility. Below are a few strategies to consider, even if not all of them are relevant to your organization.
Flexibility Is Your Friend
COVID-19 demonstrated that many organizations were able to successfully transition to near-100% remote work models quickly. Organizations can accomplish more than they thought capable if they are determined to stay flexible.
Applying that mindset to other problems, like school closures, can yield equally impressive results. For example, companies could empower managers to adjust “business hours” and stagger shifts for employees. This would enable parents to be home and available to their children during the hours when they need supervision and instruction.
Create New Employee Resource Groups
ERGs are one of the most useful tools to companies during this pandemic. Comprising workers who belong to a specific demographic or interest group, they are a way for employees with different needs to find support, share ideas, and pass along concerns and potential solutions to leadership. Consider creating an ERG for parents of young children — and perhaps another one for teens — and encourage them to meet monthly about telework best practices, virtual schooling tips, and related topics. Build channels of communication into the structure so that creative ideas are passed along to decision-makers.
Review Wellness Offerings
There is a strong correlation between health and productivity of employees. With COVID-19, the impact on employee health is potentially substantial, from the virus itself to mental health challenges and even the “COVID-19” weight gain that could reverse progress many companies had made toward a healthier workplace. Expand access to mental and physical support resources so all employees — not just parents — remember to care for their own wellbeing. Think virtual yoga instruction, a virtual 5K run, or mini wellness talks about coping mechanisms.
Integrate Family-Friendly Virtual Events
If your company has hosted a virtual coffee break or happy hour to increase internal connection among coworkers, why not encourage teams to make events that are family-friendly? This can include adding a virtual “meet the family” gathering to the calendar or Halloween costume contest, to name a few ideas.
Cultivate Mini Brand Ambassadors
With work and home lives merging more than ever, take the opportunity to extend your brand by preparing future ambassadors. If you have company swag left over from that cancelled spring conference, send it to your teammates so their children/families can be decked out with company merchandise like t-shirts, backpacks, pencils and more.
Evaluate How to Increase Connectivity
Now is the time to bring fresh ideas to executive leadership, even if it involves an upfront investment. For example, a one-time grant to help households upgrade technology might be an effective use of resources. From improving in-house WiFi speed to investing in a new laptop or headset, making it easier for parents to work from home will help alleviate the school stress, too.
The HR team has never been more crucial to a successful organization than it is today. If the ideas above are not a fit for your company, you could put together a task force with representatives across departments to brainstorm and recommend modifications that best support parents and their families.
It’s ultimately important to create a strategy with inventive tactics that can positively impact the quality of your associates’ everyday lives during a historically stressful time.
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TOURISM CAMPAIGN - WE NEED YOU!
The Buffalo Tourism arm of the Chamber has not been sitting idle. We plan to launch a Buffalo's Bucket List or What's in Your Own Backyard type of campaign here shortly - encouraging all of us who live here to explore our own treasures. If you have any suggestions that you or your family have done to fill a day or a weekend locally, let me know!
We are a part of the metro tourism group - which hosts the www.mspvacations.com site and partners with us to encourage travel our way. We often get asked for ideas and this fall they selected our two member orchards to highlight in an article they are sharing for fall! This isn't finalized yet, but fun to see Buffalo listed first! Be sure to get out and enjoy the best of fall right here in your backyard - both orchards have COVID safety protocols in place.
Your Favorite Fall Traditions, Social-Distancing Style
Where can you pick apples, sip cider and choose a pumpkin for carving? We tell you where you can get your fill of fall in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro region, while still keeping your distance from others.
Apple Picking
A t Apple Jack Orchards in Delano, freshly picked apples are just the beginning. The on-site bakery offers plenty of seasonal goodies, such as apple cinnamon donuts, apple pies and apple dumplings. There’s also a gift shop and kids’ play area. Curbside pickup is available for visitors who prefer a low-contact option.
Deer Lake Orchard in Buffalo grows over two dozen apple varieties, including Zestar, Honeycrisp, Cortland, Haralson and SweeTango. Plus, the scenic orchard features a classic red barn — the perfect fall photo opp.
We are also already promoting the Kite Festival which will be February 13th, 2021 so be sure to put that on your calendar. We will naturally be wearing facemasks that time of year!
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STREET PARTY OF HOPE TO BE A VIRTUAL EVENT THIS YEAR!
Just because we can't meet in person doesn't mean that we shouldn't give to our local community cancer care fund! What's raised stays local!
There will be an online fundraising campaign through Buffalo Hospital's Facebook page and www.StreetPartyofHope.org. There will be printable flyers, posters, coloring sheets and yard signs for anyone making a tribute gift. There will be a business and home/yard decorating contest to help create more awareness. There also may be a food truck around town each day with proceeds going towards the cause! Keep your eyes and ears open for further details!
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KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW
Quick-link to the recent City of Buffalo public meetings:
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Why were the teacher's eyes crossed on the first day of school? She couldn't control her pupils! |
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Be sure you follow us on Facebook and Twitter! |
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Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce
763-682-4902
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