Greetings!
As you head into your weekend to spend much needed time with your family and loved ones, we wanted to send some updated information, reminders and resources into your inbox to help you plan for the upcoming week and brand new month!
Below you will find information from the Guam Visitors Bureau, US SBA, your Guam Chamber and the US Chamber of Commerce. These bite sized updates were intended to make it easy for you to quickly scroll through and pencil items into your calendar or make a note to follow up on an event or issue that impacts your business. Please feel free to reach out to me if there are questions or concerns.
We had an extremely interesting general membership meeting this past Wednesday featuring Special Agent David Carrigan of the Honolulu Guam office of the FBI who spoke about cyber security issues in light of today's digital business and personal transactions. If you missed it or want to share the information with your colleagues, click the link or scroll down for the link to view the presentation on our YouTube channel.
As we head into the Memorial Day holiday let us take a moment to pause and remember the fallen men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country for the freedoms and liberties we, as Americans, hold dear. The following words are the last paragraph of remarks made by President Ronald Reagan on Memorial Day at Arlington Cemetery on May 31, 1982:
"As we honor their memory today, let us pledge that their lives, their sacrifices, their valor shall be justified and remembered for as long as God gives life to this nation. And let us also pledge to do our utmost to carry out what must have been their wish: that no other generation of young men will ever have to share their experiences and repeat their sacrifice. Earlier today, with the music that we have heard and that of our National Anthem — I can’t claim to know the words of all the national anthems in the world, but I don’t know of any other that ends with a question and a challenge as ours does: “Does that flag still wave o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?” That is what we must all ask."
Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend!
Onward Together,
Catherine Castro
President
|
|
Our P.O. Box will be closing effective June 1, 2021.
Please forward all mail to our physical location:
372 West Soledad Avenue
Hagåtña, Guam 96910
|
|
|
May Membership Meeting Recap |
Members who weren't able to join in on the May virtual General Membership Meeting, may tune in to our YouTube page. |
|
|
Click to view a one-pager from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Economic and Tax Policy Division which includes an overview on corporate tax rates, talking points, and additional resources.
During this installment of Path Forward, Suzanne sat down with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Rochelle Walensky to discuss the current state of the pandemic, where things stand with vaccination efforts, what to expect in the next four to six months, what businesses should be doing to prepare for the next phase, and more.
If you weren't able to join the event live, or would like to watch it again, click here to view the recording.
Protect your workplace from the Flu: One-pager
Minority-owned businesses may be better positioned to take advantage of certain tax breaks and credits.
|
|
Save these dates for our upcoming General Membership Meetings! |
June 30th, 10:00 a.m.
Featuring David Dell'Isola, Department of Labor
July 28th, 10:00 a.m.
Featuring Artemio "Ricky" Hernandez, Guam Airport Authority
August 25th, 10:00 a.m.
Featuring John Benavente, Guam Power Authority
Event details will be sent via email as we get closer to the scheduled dates!
|
|
|
|
|
|
MEMBER JOB POST
We are happy to share your job openings on our website!
to get started. These job postings are for Guam Chamber members in good standing.
|
|
|
|
Our island has surpassed the goal to see 50% of our adult population vaccinated and we are well on our way to the final goal of 80% vaccination. We know that you have worked hard to get this point - We are almost there!
Let's encourage our colleagues, family and friends to learn more about the benefits of vaccinations and help them make the right choice. It's time to get back to business.
We miss you and look forward to engaging with you in person very soon! Biba Guam!
|
|
Time to
Get Back to Business Guam!
|
|
GVB Updates:
Guam Safe & WTTC Safe Travels Certification
|
|
The mission of this program is to help rebuild confidence among the local community and visitors as travel restrictions ease and the tourism industry begins its revival. All businesses and establishments are encouraged to gain their Safe Guam & WTTC Certification.
It's an easy process - just click on the link to GVB's website, complete the application and upload your business reopening protocols which will be reviewed and approved by the Department of Public Health. Once your protocols are approved, your company will receive notice from the Guam Visitors Bureau and you will receive the certificates for display at your place of business. That's it - it's that easy!
Join us and lets help make the entire island Safe Guam and WTTC Certified!
|
|
U.S. Small Business Administration Updates |
|
SBA launched the Community Navigator Pilot Program on May 26th, a $100 million grant program enacted through the American Rescue Plan Act, which will provide counseling, networking and the assistance needed during this time of economic recovery to the nation’s smallest businesses. The program will target small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, as well as women and veterans.
The SBA will engage with states, local governments, SBA resource partners, Community Financial Institutions (CFIs), and other organizations in directed outreach efforts. These partners and people in the community are key to this pilot program as they will serve as a two-way information stream, enabling enterprising business owners to receive the help needed from the SBA.
|
|
|
|
 |
Update: SBA recently posted FAQs about funds returned by banks for Targeted EIDL Advance and Supplemental Targeted Advance. When a bank returns Targeted EIDL Advance or Supplemental Targeted Advance funds to SBA, the funds cannot be immediately re-disbursed. SBA is working to mitigate this issue.
|
|
|
|
SBA is currently accepting applications for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. To submit an application, visit sba.gov/svogrant.
|
|
|
|
ESGR: USERRA
June 9, 2021
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
SHRM Members: $25.00 / Non-Members $30.00
|
Do you want to know more about USERRA in the workplace?
SHRM Guam is happy to invite you to the next Breakfast Briefing: ESGR: USERRA. The event will be held virtually on June 9, 2021. SHRM Guam has invited the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) to deliver a presentation on USERRA. ESGR will break down employer and employee responsibilities for better understanding. HR Professionals, Supervisors, and managers are highly encouraged to attend.
- Employment and reemployment rights for reservists leaving for or returning from military service
- Avoiding workplace discrimination against employees in the Guard and Reserves
- Employer rights under USERRA
- Recommendations to reduce USERRA abuse by your employees
- Developing better relations with your employees’ military boss
- Advantages and opportunities of hiring reservists
|
|
|
View the May live webinars with Guam PTAC:
|
|
|
|
View the May live webinars with Guam SBDC:
|
|
|
|
Your Chamber Office will be closed on Monday, May 31st in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. We look forward to serving you on Tuesday, June 1st! |
|
Guam Chamber of Commerce • 472-6311/ 8001 • info@GuamChamber.com.gu |
|
|
|
|
|
|
