e-NEWS
Thank you to our E-NEWS Sponsors!
PVCC Events
SOLD OUT EVENT!
Virtual Community Town Hall
The Science Behind COVID-19
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT.
A LINK TO THE RECORDED PROGRAM WILL BE SHARED IN NEXT WEEK'S ENEWS.

In our next edition of Town Hall, Dr. Broker, Board Certified ENT specialist and surgeon, discusses new findings about how the virus is transmitted, why we are seeing spikes in the number of cases in the US, how other countries have kept infection rates down, the importance of social distancing and masks, ways to keep customers and employees safe, antibody testing, contact tracing and more.
August 27, 2020
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Business Roundtable
Our monthly Business Roundtable luncheons have gone virtual on ZOOM!
Join us for an interactive discussion and sharing of best practices among other business owners and key decision makers, right from the comforts of your home or office. 
 
3-Tier Event Registration (FREE event, donations welcome)
After registering, you will receive a link with instructions to join the meeting.
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Virtual Town Hall with Gene Barr
Listen to our virtual town hall discussion with Gene Barr, President and CEO of PA Chamber of Business and Industry. Gene is regarded as the Voice of Business in the Commonwealth. With over 1,000 members ranging from mom-and-pop shops to industry leaders, Gene overseas all operations of the PA Chamber, the state’s largest broad-based business advocacy association. During the Virtual Town Hall event, Gene discussed advocacy initiatives to support small businesses, State guidelines, resources for employers and employees, legislative updates, policy recommendations and answered audience questions.
This program was pre-recorded
Sneak-Peak Mixer
SAVE THE DATE...
September 10, 2020
4:00pm - 6:00pm
PV Chamber Mixer
Salter's Fireplace, Patio and Grill

PV Chamber members and guests will enjoy a sneak-peak at Salter's Annual Sales Event which opens to the public Friday, September 11th 10am - 8pm and Saturday, September 12th 10am- 6pm. As we get closer to the date, we will determine if this will be an in-person or virtual event. Stay tuned for updates and registration link.
A Message From The Chamber Office
Dear Chamber Members and Friends,

I hope this message finds you healthy and you all finding ways to keep cool during the latest heat wave.

Today's Virtual Community Town Hall Zoom Meeting "The Science Behind COVID-19", featuring Dr. Brian J. Broker, is sold out!  The program will be recorded. Program recorded will be available will be uploaded to PVCC's COVID-19 Webinar page in the next few days. In the meantime, you can download Dr. Broker's slide show by clicking here.

With the overwhelming interest in today's Community Town Hall, we will look to schedule similar programming in the next few weeks. Additionally, PV Men, PV Women and PV Book Club virtual programs will begin in September.

Once again, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the outpouring of support we've received from our chamber membership. Renewing your Chamber membership enables us to continue to advocate for business, develop programs and initiatives to help you stay connected and build relationships, promote local business and lead members through the recovery phase of COVID-19. If you have not receive your renewal invoice, or would like to set up a payment plan or learn about COVID-19 discounts, please send requests to info@pvchamber.net. We have plans to meet all budgets and financial constraints during this challenging time.

Stay safe and healthy!

Renee Blomstrom
Executive Director
renee@pvchamber.net 
610-489-6660
Support Small Business, Friends and Neighbors!
Shop Local!
Small business is the backbone of our regional economy. Please look for ways to support these businesses during the pandemic. Please visit the Chamber Directory for a complete list of members. Consider purchasing gift cards for businesses that are not currently open (salons, restaurants, spas, retailers, etc) to support them now and use at a later date. Please call your senior neighbors and friends to lift their spirits and ensure they have food and proper medication. Contact the Community Food Pantry for updated hours of operation and needed supplies.  
Please share your positive experiences with others and on social media platforms to help promote and support our local businesses. Should you have a less than satisfactory experience, please be patient; relay your concerns privately with the store manager so he/she can evaluate the issue and consider ways to improve for future visits.TOGETHER we will reset, restore and rebound our community!
Welcome New Members!
Welcome our newest member!



Loci House LLC
The following organizations joined the PV Chamber this past year! 
 Click on a business name for more information. 
All Current PV Chamber Members can be found in the Directory on our Website
COVID-19 Resource Hubs
PV Chamber COVID-19 Resource Hub
Bookmark the PV Chamber's COVID-19 Resource Hub for up-to-date information for business owners, employers and residents.
  • County, State and Federal Resource Links
  • Member-to-Member Resources
  • Webinars & Recordings
  • Brighter Side
  • Event News
Montgomery County Resource Hubs
Montgomery County COVID-19 Daily Press Releases can be viewed here.
PA Hazard Pay Grant Program
The COVID-19 PA Hazard Pay Grant Program was established to help employers provide hazard pay to employees in life-sustaining occupations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 
Zooming Around the 24th District
Senator Bob Mensch presents Zooming Around the 24th District, a series of virtual meetings with local businesses and organizations to discuss the experiences they have had during the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of these meetings is for businesses to stay in touch with their communities, and for us to spread the word about some of the challenges facing our local businesses during this time. Watch the meetings here: https://www.senatormensch.com/zooming-around-the-24th-district/
PA Chamber of Business & Industry
Bringing PA Back is an initiative of the PA Chamber to help businesses re-open prepared and stronger. The site contains resources to help prepare your workplace, welcome back employees and customers.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

Self-employed, independent contractors, gig workers, and others not eligible for regular unemployment compensation can begin filing claims for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).

PA Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Portal


Note: $600/week additional benefit expires the week of July 25, 2020.
Small Business Funding
PA 30 Day Fund , provides forgivable loans for Pennsylvania-based small businesses and is eager to see an increase in applications from eligible small businesses in Montgomery County, particularly in applications from eligible minority and/or women owned businesses.  The forgivable loan is intended to provide immediate financial assistance (within maximum 3 days).

COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Grants: $225 Million grant program for small businesses impacted by COVID-19 are available through 3 programs; $100M for Main Street Business Revitalization; $100M for historically disadvantaged business revitalization program and $25M for loan payment deferment and loss reserve program. The program expects to begin accepting applications by the month's end and businesses must apply through an eligible CDFI.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act created a new employee retention tax credit for employers who are closed, partially closed, or experiencing significant revenue losses as a result of COVID-19.
NOTE: Borrowers cannot use PPP and tax credit. However, small businesses can receive EIDL and PPP funds, but they cannot be used to cover the same costs. Speak with your financial advisor for best option
Chamber Advocacy
As you are recovering from the businesses shut downs, this is an opportunity to rebrand and polish your new image. Let us know if you have any photography needs. We have implemented contactless protocols to keep you, your staff and family safe. Contact us for more info: https://www.scilliaphotography.com/contact
Employment Opportunities
Member News
Troubles End Brewing introduces outdoor dining and beer garden! Seating is on a first come first serve basis. Indoor seating is also available. Indoor dining reservations will be encouraged while we are under capacity restrictions, but walk ins are welcomed, for the time being we will be handling all reservations over the phone.
Please call 484-902-8076 - we will be taking reservations up to 7 days in advance.
Troubles End Brewing, 50 W. Third Street, Ste 310, Collegeville.
Lenape Challenge - New Date!
September 19, 2020 @ 9:00am

In keeping with the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy's mission, this unique race celebrates the connection between land and water.5 miles on the trail plus 2+ miles on the creek

Two-person Team Race -OR- Solo Challenge. Register Here

Location: Start at The Conservancy
Check-in opens: 7:30 am
Event start: 9:00 am
High-water date*: September 26
Ursinus College Offering Business Assistance During COVID-19

During this unprecedented time, Ursinus College is committed to supporting the local community. We recognize that, while these are difficult times for many, small and medium sized businesses are uniquely affected by the quarantine.

Ursinus students seeking remote/virtual work opportunities can assist you with promoting your business, advertising your services, redesigning a business plan, driving commerce, promoting or building online platforms, and more. We believe this will not only help local businesses, but also provide learning and practical opportunities for our students. Possible projects may include: social media and online marketing, website building, payment processing, writing a business plan, and researching assistance for loans.

Please fill out this form with as much details as possible to indicate your interest. We will review the submission within 2 business days. Appropriate opportunities will be shared with our students within 5 business days or less. While we hope you will receive interest from our students, we cannot guarantee applications. Please note that Ursinus College reserves the right to determine the eligibility of a posting and to delete postings deemed unsuitable for our students. 

Ursinus College values our local business partners and hopes to play a role in navigating through these difficult times. Please email Olivia Correll, Assistant Director for Employer Engagement, at ocorrell@ursinus.edu, with questions or for additional information.
Montgomery County Updates

PA Career Link of Montgomery County is relocating from 1855 New Hope Street, Norristown, PA to a newly renovated location within the Human Services Center (HSC) at 1430 DeKalb Street, Norristown PA. The new office is scheduled to open to the public by appointment only on August 17, 2020.
MontcoStrong Small Business Grant Program Awards
Montco Strong Small Business Grant Round 3 awardee list has been posted and can be found HERE. 60 grants for a total of $631,500 awarded.
Take the US Census
As of 7/28/20, the countywide response rate was 73%. You can view the latest response rate at the county and community level here. Census results help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities each year. With just a 5% undercount in 2020, we could lose $72,336,780 annually in funding for Montgomery County schools, infrastructure, Medicaid, SNAP, housing choice vouchers, head start, senior programs, and more! 
Montgomery County Call for Help to Supply PPE
Montgomery County is asking for donations for commercial masks, surgical masks and impervious (waterproof) gowns. Any business that has an interest in or capacity to turn their existing supply chain into the PPE output that the health care industry so desperately needs to please contact Montgomery County Commerce Department by emailing: COVID19@montco.org.
Montgomery County released guidance for reopening Pre-K to 12 schools for Fall 2020. Montgomery County officials and the Montgomery County Office of Public Health in collaboration with Montgomery County school superintendents have developed general recommendations to support the prevention of the spread of coronavirus in the school environment as they plan to open for the 2020-21 school year. The complete recommended guidelines can be found here.
Montgomery County COVID-19 Testing

Montgomery County is now offering free COVID-19 testing, for all ages, at six sites across the county. This testing is made possible by CARES Act funding that has been allocated directly to the County.
MontcoStrong T-Shirts
MontcoStrong T-Shirts are for sale as a great initiative through our partners at VFTCB. The t-shirt fundraiser is to help support Montgomery County PA’s COVID-19 Response Fund, which was recently established to support local relief efforts in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The t-shirts can be purchased here 
Small Business Gift Card Program
Help save your favorite local business one gift card at a time.
Support your local restaurants and shops by buying gift cards during the COVID-19 shutdown.
You'll help them get the cash they need now, so you can enjoy their business later.
This is a County-wide program that was developed through input from local chambers and key stakeholders.
We want to share YOUR upcoming events in E-News and Community Calendar.
Pass It On
The PV Chamber Board of Directors encourages you to forward this email to friends and associates. For membership information contact Renee Blomstrom, Executive Director.