Chamber Updates April 29, 2020
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Members,
There is likely nothing more important right now than the directive we have been given by Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Dr. Amy Acton, MD, MPH, this week and the information contained in the linked documents below. Several major announcements regarding Ohio's plan to responsibly restart the state’s economy during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have been noted, and I strongly recommend that you read this information carefully. I have left it verbatim from the Governor’s press release and believe it to be a responsible approach under the current circumstance.
I echo the comments of the following groups that issued the statement contained in
italics
below it. From the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, National Federation of Independent Businesses Ohio Chapter, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, Ohio Business Roundtable:
“Today’s announcement on the reopening strategies of Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted are responsible first steps to Ohio getting back to business. For many businesses in Ohio, the staged reopening of commerce beginning May 1 through May 12 is a relief. We appreciate that the DeWine Administration listened to the business community as well as relevant experts in establishing the required safety protocols."
This has been and will continue to be a challenging time for many, especially those businesses, employees and others affected by the organizations NOT yet scheduled to reopen…I for one am beginning to sport my 80’s feathered back long hair look, maybe I’ll post a high school picture for everyone to smile at? 😊
I will be posting a blog with more of my thoughts 10 weeks into the job as your President/CEO and certainly welcome additional conversations with those that I have not yet met. Many of you took the time with me in person in February and early March as I just arrived from Illinois. Many of you have participated in the ZOOM conference series each Friday, and even more of you have taken my phone call in the last several weeks, as I reach out to all of our chamber members and those that have shown interest in joining our organization. Please reach out to me and introduce yourself (if you haven’t done so already) and I’d be glad to talk anytime!
Be well and stay safe.
Dave Moravec
President, Colerain Chamber of Commerce
309-838-1947
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State of Ohio Responsible Restart Initiative
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HEALTHCARE:
Beginning May 1, 2020,
all medically necessary procedures that do not require an overnight stay in a healthcare facility or do not require inpatient hospital admission and minimizes use of personal protective equipment may move forward. This includes regular doctor visits, well-care checks, well-baby visits, out-patient surgeries, imaging procedures, and diagnostic tests. Dental services and veterinary services may also proceed if a safe environment can be established.
Healthcare providers and facilities that plan to resume providing these services must adhere to infection control practices, have sufficient PPE, and talk with patients about the risk of contracting COVID-19.
Surgeries and procedures that, if not performed, would cause a threat to a patient's life, a threat of the spread of cancer or the permanent dysfunction of a limb or organ, the presence of severe symptoms causing an inability to perform activities of daily living, and/or the risk of rapidly worsening symptoms have always been permitted even if an overnight stay is necessary.
RESPONSIBLE RESTART OHIO:
The guiding principles of the Responsible RestartOhio plan are protecting the health of employees, customers, and their families, supporting community efforts to control the spread of COVID-19, and responsibly getting Ohio back to work.
"We put this plan together based on all the information we have about how dangerous COVID-19 still is right now, balanced with the fact that it's also dangerous to have people not working," said Governor DeWine. "COVID-19 is still out there. It's still killing people. We're asking Ohioans to be reasonable and rational. Please don't take huge chances, and please use common sense when you go out and where you go out."
Beginning on May 4, 2020,
manufacturing, distribution, and construction businesses may reopen if these businesses can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees. The full Responsible RestartOhio plan for manufacturing, distribution, and construction can be found at
coronavirus.ohio.gov/ResponsibleRestartOhio
.
Beginning on May 4, 2020,
general office environments may reopen if these businesses can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees. The full Responsible RestartOhio plan for general office environments can be found at
coronavirus.ohio.gov/ResponsibleRestartOhio
.
Beginning on May 12, 2020,
consumer, retail and services, may reopen if these businesses can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees. The full Responsible RestartOhio plan for consumer, retail and services can be found at
c
oronavirus.ohio.gov/ResponsibleRestartOhio
.
The general safe business practices that all businesses must follow as they reopen are:
- Requiring face coverings for all employees, and recommending them for clients and customers at all times
- Conducting daily health assessments or self-evaluations of employees to determine if they should work
- Maintaining good hygiene at all times such as hand washing and social distancing
- Cleaning and sanitizing workplaces throughout the day and at the close of business or between shifts
- Limiting capacity to meet social distancing guidelines
"I have an obligation as the Governor of Ohio to get people back to work and keep them safe. Opening everything up at once would not be consistent with the obligation to keep people safe," said Governor DeWine. "Our Responsible Restart Ohio plan is the best guarantee that Ohioans will feel safe going to stores and employees will feel safe going to work. I'm optimistic about our future, but we can't be reckless."
CONTINUED CLOSURES:
The following types of establishments are ordered to remain closed due to their increased risk of potential COVID-19 exposure:
- Schools and daycares
- Dine-in restaurants and bars (carry-out is still permitted)
- Personal appearance and beauty businesses
- Older adult daycare services and senior centers
- Adult day support or vocational rehabilitation services in group settings
- Entertainment, recreation, and gyms
STAY AT HOME ORDER / LARGE GATHERINGS:
Because the danger of COVID-19 still exists, Ohio's Stay at Home order will remain in effect to encourage Ohioans to continue making reasonable, rational decisions about leaving home.
Although anyone is susceptible to getting sick with COVID-19, those who are 65 or older are encouraged to be especially careful, as are those with high-risk conditions such as chronic lung disease, moderate to severe asthma, heart conditions, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or liver disease, as well as those who are immunocompromised or obese.
Large gatherings of more than 10 people are still prohibited.
MORE INFORMATION:
CURRENT OHIO DATA:
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Payroll Protection Program Update
I wanted pass along the link below shared by Geoff Milz; again this program is available on a first come first served basis so if you haven’t applied, now is the time to do so. The attached guidance and associated attachments will help the process start with an intake application that generates a link to the full application as well as the email of the NDC staff assigned to answer questions. The wage calculator and document list will be sent via the portal so these are just a preview. There is also a
free
NDC webinar that walks through the process.
- The amount you should be requesting for your loan needs to correspond to 2.5 times your eligible average payroll expenses.
- There are some options on picking which months/quarters you use to calculate the average (e.g., all 4 quarters in 2019, Q2 2019 through Q1 2020, the first two months of 2020, etc.) – but whichever option you choose – you’ll need to document the amounts with your quarterly IRS 491s, payroll processing reports, etc.
The following is a list of the documents you're likely to need to complete the application (but all are not necessary if they don’t apply to your business). Having this information and the associated paperwork organized for when you complete your application online will speed up the process:
1. Articles of Organization for the Business
2. By Laws for the Business
3. Income Statement for the Business
4. Tax Return for the Business
5. Tax Return for the Owners
6. Copy of the Driver’s License
7. Bank Statement Proving Payroll
8. Employee Pay Stubs
9. IRS Form 1099
10. IRS Form 940
11. IRS Form 941 (All Four Quarters)
12. List of Employees and Salaries Living Abroad
13. Payroll Summary Report (they can download a version from the page that thanks them for applying.
COMING SOON: Hamilton County will soon pilot a Small Business Assistance Program,
which will make grants or forgivable loans of up to $10,000.00 available to businesses. Have you been particularly hard hit or know of other small businesses at risk of not opening back up who might benefit from this program? Watch for additional details to come.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has launched a Save Small Business Fund
to offer short term relief for businesses affected by COVID-19. The application process has gone live. Each grant is $5,000; this is a great opportunity that could benefit many small businesses here in Colerain. Click on this link to apply! Share with any businesses owners that you know.
https://www.savesmallbusiness.com
The US Chamber of Commerce has also been publishing new resources and tips every day for small businesses,
from how to effectively manage a team remotely, to mastering social media, to utilizing technology to keep productive at home. Check out
this link below see what other small businesses are doing during this crisis.
Encouragement comes in a Variety of Languages – If you haven’t seen
this video prepared by the Colerain Township, be sure to take twp minutes and see what a diverse community we live in.
The Colerain Township Board also met via ZOOM Conference call because of Ohio House Bill 197. For a video of that meeting, click
HERE
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Friday, May 1, 11 a.m. ZOOM Conference Networking Event – Life in Colerain During the COVID-19 Pandemic. This week's conversation is a Human Resources Roundtable; Conversation around opening up your business - H/R Directors from Cincinnati, Steve Towne (LaRosa’s), Eric Bostian (Rumpke), and Jennifer Clippard-Caunin (Clippard Instruments) will be answering challenging questions about workplace safety, realities of opening and concerns around COVID-19 approaches for your business.
Upcoming topics
Monday, May 4 - Master Series ZOOM Conference – How to Build Relationships on LinkedIn during Quarantine – LinkedIn expert Brynne Tillman will be kicking off our NEW Monday ZOOM conference series by sharing her knowledge to help you network and use this incredible tool better both now and as we return to a new normal. This is open to both members and non-members;
registration has been expanded due to demand so that we can accommodate up to 50 participants now.
Be sure to watch for future topics and registration.
May 8 – Housing and Commercial Real Estate Concerns – A financial look at where we are and will be going into the later parts of 2020. Award winning syndicated talk show host and author
Ilyce Glink will share her thoughts and we will hear from local resources about the coming economics around real estate.
May 15 – Personal and Business Finances in a Changing Marketplace. What does the unemployment picture and stock market mean for us in the near and long term? A local panel of financial planners and experts will share their thoughts, an open conversation and will be available to answer your questions.
May 12 – Tuesday Women’s Networking Luncheon – We will again be hosting this event in a virtual environment with the hope of getting back to an in person event when restaurants open and social distancing rules become more lax. This is a chance for the women of our community to gather and share ideas and network. Hosted by Sylvia Dwertman, you can get more information here:
REGISTRATION and ZOOM INSTRUCTIONS
May 19 – Colerain Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting – We have moved our board meeting schedule to accommodate better reporting and tools available. Going forward we will be meeting on the third Tuesday of the month rather than the first Tuesday. This is not an open meeting but rather a planning session for all appointed board members. If you have a topic or business matter that needs our attention, please contact David Denny, Chairman at
david@tetramanagement.net
or Dave Moravec at
president@colerainchamber.org
Chamber of Commerce Golf League
– The Chamber golf league has been pushed back due to COVID 19 issues. It is now slated to begin on Wednesday June 3 at Pebble Creek Golf Club. Another announcement about an informal outing will take place in the next week or so. If you are still looking to play, we have space available. For more information visit
Chamber Golf Details or contact Dave Moravec at
president@colerainchamber.org
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Margaret Unger, Director of Marketing at Artis Senior Living Of Bridgetown
wanted to pass along this opportunity for those dealing with aging parents or loved ones challenged with Alzheimer's. Alzheimer’s Disease 2020: An Update On Diagnosis, Treatment, Research Advances And Strategies For Healthy Brain Aging May 13, 2020 | Noon ET (11:00 a.m. CT) Online Webinar - Presented by Brent P. Forester, MD, MSc.
Scientists and clinicians worldwide are making advances in the research and treatment of dementia. Dr. Forester will present an update on those advances, provide the latest information on current diagnosis methods and review the effectiveness of approved therapies for dementia. He will also delve into the impact of behavioral symptoms of dementia. Finally he will present the latest research into diseasemodifying treatments and your opportunities to enhance healthy brain aging. Pizza Lunch Giveaway! 50 attendees will be chosen at random to receive a free pizza to be delivered during the webinar! Entry is optional.
Register here
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Minuteman Press
is doing their part to author America’s recovery story by running the
Bounce Back USA initiative
. Bounce Back USA was created by Minuteman Press to offer two free services to help support all of our neighboring businesses as we find a way to work together through these trying times.
Second, Minuteman Press is providing
f
ree local advertising on our site
to stimulate business and help all of our neighbors overcome the tremendous economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Minuteman press truly believe that a rising tide will lift all ships, and we want to make sure our communities stay afloat.
Troy Emery Federal Credit Unio
n has put together the following list of resources for internal use at their credit union. This comes as an FYI and not necessarily audited by the Colerain Chamber of Commerce for various vendors in the market. Under the current circumstances, supplies may be unreliable and spotty. Also,
please be mindful
of purchasing anti-virulent cleaners that have claims to kill SARS-Cov2.
Bulk hand sanitizer:
Nitrile gloves & protective masks:
Cleaning supplies (wipes, paper products):
Polymershapes (Cincinnati/Sharonville Distribution Facility)
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Thank You to Our Sustaining Sponsors
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President Level Sustaining Sponsor
Rumpke Waste & Recycling
Team Level Sustaining Sponsors
Cincinnati Mine Machinery
Kroger
Duke Energy
Mercy Health
Miami Valley Gaming
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