Member Brief Bytes
You all received an email yesterday sharing more COVID related items,including the new state mask mandate. Below is more details information on that. Be sure to read that email closely as there was information about local grant dollars available to businesses effected by COVID as well. More to come on that as the City creates the application process.

LET'S TALK MASKS!

Executive Order 20-81 implements a statewide mask mandateBeginning July 25, 2020 all Minnesotans will be required to wear a mask in all public indoor spaces and businesses, including when waiting to enter, unless alone. The mandate also requires workers to wear a mask when working outdoors in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained. 

The Governor said that in the long run, the mask requirement is the quickest way to ending the COVID-19 pandemic - adding that it is an economic key to ensuring that businesses are open and stay open. 

Might be easier to read when a face covering is NOT required before asking questions as to whether it is. In most cases - you should wear one when around others indoors unless you are alone.

See Executive Order and information here:

Mask Distribution - 58,000 arriving here!
The Department of Administration has procured 4 million disposable masks which will be distributed to local Chambers of Commerce in all 87 counties across the state for distribution. Our Buffalo Chamber is receiving all the mask for Wright County Businesses. We are working with Delano, Monticello, Maple Lake, Annandale, Montrose, Howard Lake, Waverly, STMA, and more to be sure each community gets what they need. We will have a one or two day distribution set up sometime late next week for you, our Buffalo members, to pick up masks you need for your business. Mostly these are for public facing businesses and their guests, but also if you are not socially distanced at your work indoors, they are for you too. Keep an eye out for an email from us next week regarding distribution details. In the meantime, if you have a count of how many you would like, shoot me a quick email. This is a one time drop of masks and is not meant to last forever but a good way to help us all get started in what will become the new normal for a while.

See frequently asked questions regarding mask wearing here: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/facecoverfaq.html

Individuals with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that makes it unreasonable for the individual to maintain a face covering are exempt from the order. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who have a medical condition that compromises their ability to breathe, and individuals who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance. These individuals should consider using alternatives to face coverings, including clear face shields, and staying at home as much as possible. Children who are five-years-old and under are also exempt. Those who are under two-years-old should never wear a face covering due to the risk of suffocation.

Businesses are not meant to question the validity of these conditions and are to handle a non-compliant customer who may be disruptive, just as you would any other disruptive guest if not wearing one. We are not to be mask police - the goal is to get everyone used to the change. The statement was made "we would like to see police handing out masks vs tickets" and in fact law enforcement will be given masks to people who need one. Governor Walz stated that it's not a crime not to wear a mask - it's just not very neighborly. To have teeth the order, however, any individual who willfully violates this Executive Order is guilty of a petty misdemeanor and upon conviction can be punished by a fine not to exceed $100. ​Businesses willfully violating this Executive Order are guilty of a misdemeanor and can be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or up to 90 days in jail. The Attorney General, as well as city and county attorneys, may also seek civil penalties from businesses who are in violation of this Executive Order.” 

Update your business preparedness plan!
Be sure to now include your mask wearing implementation/process into your Business Preparedness Plan.

Post a sign on your door!
Post a sign stating masks required. I think it's best to have your logo/flavor of business on it, so you can create your own. I will send out options in future communication, but didn't see a nice one to print just year. There is the poster below to show employees how to wear and take care of the masks. Much can be found at https://staysafe.mn.gov/ .

How to best wear a mask:

WHO'S THAT MEMBER BUSINESS/BUILDING?
WHO'S THAT MEMBER BUILDING

Don't press yourself to get this right. It's a clean answer all the way around!

Ole Olson was last weeks winner with DeZiel Heating and A/C! They've been busy this summer keeping us cool!

Email me at Sue@BuffaloChamber.org if you think you have the right answer! First one in gets put in a quarterly drawing for $10 of Buffalo Bucks!
Chamber Members 2020
BREEZY LANE TRAVEL
763-463-5856

Nothing like opening a travel business in the midst of a pandemic, but owner Amanda Ryynanen, didn't let that stop her! As the unofficial travel planner for her family for years, she chose this year to make her passion her work and enlisted with Dream Vacations franchise. With Dream Vacations she can provide the best of both worlds: Promotions and deals that match large online travel agencies, but with a personal touch!

She is offering guidance and support through all the stages of travel planning and has learned during this unusual time, to really study and learn what travelers want and which companies treat travelers well even in the worst scenario.

Right now Amanda is working out of her home, but hopes to have some remote office space in the future to meet with clients. We welcome her to the Chamber family!
Chamber Events
FEEDBACC TRAINING - Navigating Employee Benefits
(Forums for engagement and educational development by the Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce)
Tuesday, August 11th 11:30-1:00
Bison Creek Event Center
1207 Hwy 25 N, Buffalo

Our member Aflac Business Consultant, Nicole Blake, is hosting our next business training: Navigating Employee Benefits . This Seminar features Business Consultant Nicole Blake with Aflac. She will explain how you can attract employees...stay profitable...be competitive and maintain staff morale in a market of COVID-19. 

I think with all the changes employees have had to adjust to, understanding how employers can offer something of value to them at no cost is something wonderful to consider.
HAVENWOOD
August 20th, 8:00 a.m.

Our next Good Morning Buffalo will be held at Havenwood of Buffalo. We are not able to go inside due to the COVID, but will meet outside in the courtyard. Maybe putt a little on the green!

Mark your calendars now and meet and welcome them to Buffalo!
wRIGHT LUMBER & MILLWORK

We had a great turn out at last weeks Good Morning Buffalo at Wright Lumber. We all left feeling like we should restyle our homes in some form or another. Their showroom is beautiful and their customer service second to none!

Be sure to stop in whether it's an interior or exterior project you are considering. They will help you create, locate, secure the right materials and the right person to help you get the job done!
Great information was shared at our annual State of the City Luncheon on Tuesday. Superintendent Thielman spoke about the 3 scenarios for school reopening this fall. There was 16 pages from the Minnesota Department of Health and 100 page document from Minnesota Department of Education to muddle through! Kudos to our school district for continuing to work hard for our 5800 students and 750 staff. They have had a task force that's been meeting weekly and are awaiting what is decided for all schools in the state sometime next week.

Next Mayor Lachermeier, Jennifer Nash and Laureen Bodin spoke of all the happenings as far as building and growth in the City. There is a Downtown Revitalization Task Force, a group meeting regarding the old theater and a group working towards creating a community center. City Administrator Bodin shared the highlight of the day, announcing that the Cares Act dollars the City of Buffalo received will be funneled down to the businesses of Buffalo effected by the pandemic. There will be $500,000 in $10,000 minimum grants coming available soon. More to come!

Rounding off the day was Sheriff Derringer and Police Chief Budke who expressed how they have worked to protect us daily, but especially during the recent riots. Did you know that our Sheriff's Department sent 17 of our deputies to Hennepin County to help protect their structure there and that locally here our reserves were on 24/7 guard of our jail and enforcement structures here in addition to other businesses that were under potential threat? We appreciate your service!

Buffalo is a great place to live and work thanks to all of these people and all of you as business leaders!
YES IT'S ON!
Don't miss one of Buffalo's favorite summertime events. We are being creative in how this is laid out this year, with two different areas of artisans blocks apart with the food vendors connecting the two. This will help to minimize the number of people in any one area at one time. Come see what the artisans have to share!
LOOKING FOR GOLFERS AND PRIZE DONATIONS FOR
RAFFLE AND SILENT AUCTION!

Thank you to Lake Ridge and Park View Care Centers for becoming a Tournament Sponsor! That is incredibly generous of you!
GOOD TO KNOW
WHY IS LISTENING SO HARD?
MEMBER HAPPENINGS
COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS
KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW

Quick-link to the recent City of Buffalo public meetings:
What did the buffalo say to his son when he left for college? Bison!
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Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce
763-682-4902
Sue@BuffaloChamber.org 
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