e-NEWS
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PVCC Events
TODAY...September 17, 2020
4:30PM - 5:30PM
PV Men Virtual Happy Hour
Join the fellas for our FIRST Virtual PV Men Happy Hour Event! Enjoy great conversation and networking from the comforts of your home or office. This is a free event, however donations are gladly accepted
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED to receive the meeting link
September 24, 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.
Discussion Topic: TECHNOLOGY
Digital accounts, online and local marketing, virtual meetings, security, apps and more
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Recorded Webinars
Virtual Town Hall with Dr. Brian Broker
The Science Behind COVID-19

View the slide presentation presented by Dr. Brian Broker, President, ENT and Allergy Specialists and listen to Q&A session. Topics discussed include COVID-19 treatment, risk mitigation, COVID-19 outcome relative to blood type, effectiveness of nasal irrigation, risk for pets, and more.

Based on attendee feedback, we will plan another town hall discussion with Dr. Broker this Fall...look for details in the

To view Dr. Broker's PowerPoint slideshow, copy and paste the link below into a browser:
https://perkiomenvalleychamber.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Science-behind-COVID-19.pptx
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. 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.
To listen to Town Hall with Gene Barr, copy and paste the URL below into a browser:
https://perkiomenvalleychamber.org/covid-19-updates-and-resources/#1590607836190-37b47b5a-bd28
A Message From The Chamber Office
Dear Chamber Members and Friends,

This afternoon the first PV Men's "Virtual" Happy Hour Networking event will be held from the comforts of participants home or office. If you would like to participate, but sure to register before 4pm today to receive Zoom meeting link. Fellas, invite a friend...the more the merrier!

If you missed Salter's Kick-Off Sales event last week, there's still time to shop! Salter's Fireplace, Patio and Grill is happy to extend their annual kick-off sale to members of PV Chamber until this weekend! Stop by their beautiful showroom located at 3076 Ridge Pike, Eagleville.

More member-news comes from Chef Donna Musetti , Pink Moose Ice Cream Cafe & Catering, as she prepares for the Fall season! Pink Moose is now open for dine-in seating. Call ahead for reservation - patio seating is still available. The cafe will introduce a new menu with more hearty selections, weekly specials and delicious soups; and of course, ice cream is still on the menu! In addition, they've expanded the bakery display and off-premise catering services. Stop by at 147 Main Street Royersford or visit online.

Legislative Updates...Beginning on Monday, September 21, restaurants that self-certify cononavirus safety efforts operate at 50 percent capacity, per updated guidance. This news is welcomed by the restaurant industry with mixed reaction over confusion about the certification procedure and new restriction to cease alcohol sales at 10pm.

Attorneys for Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration on Wednesday asked to stay the federal court decision from earlier this week in which a district judge ruled unconstitutional the state’s shutdown orders over the covid-19 pandemic. The original lawsuit was filed during the "red phase" of Gov. Wolf's pandemic response, when many businesses were closed. As a result, much of the ruling deals with restrictions that are no longer in place. The ruling, if it stands, could prevent those restriction from being imposed again if the coronavirus situation worsens.

We want to hear from you...the PV Chamber is working on several new programs including a Shop Local Campaign. Look for details in upcoming editions of Enews. Have an idea for a topic of PV Chamber program? Send suggestions to [email protected].

Stay safe and healthy,

Renee Blomstrom
Executive Director
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!
Fresh made ice cream, milkshakes, smoothies, Handel Pops and more! Stop in for a delicious treat!

Now Open! 1-on-1 assisted stretching by certified professionals to improve flexibility, enhance movement, reduce pain and improve quality of life

Inspirational youth development track and field program
Free USATF Membership for each joining member

Member-2-Member Offer: Free Market Analysis of Your Home!

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.
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).
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). File Here

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
FREE Interview Lesson Week at Community Music School
September 14 - 19
In celebration of National Arts in Education Week, we are offering free interview lessons this week! This offer is open to new students, current students who wish to try out another instrument, and past students looking to get back to their musical journey here at CMS. Piano, percussion and string instruments are available for in-person or virtual lessons. All instruments and voice are available for virtual lessons.

Please call or email us to set up your free interview lesson this week: 610-489-3676 or [email protected]
We look forward to hearing from you!
Household Hazardous Wast Collection
September 26 and October 25
Saturday, September 26, 2020 @ Spring Ford 9th Grade Center, 400 South Lewis Road, Royersford
Sunday, October 25, 2020 @ Lower Merion Transfer Station, 1300 N. Woodbine Ave, Penn Valley

Please visit MontcoPARecycles.org, email [email protected], or call the recycling line at 610-278-3618. Please do not contact the host sites, as they are not affiliated with the events. In case of severe weather, call 610-278-3618, option 6 for event status. Free residential collection events are held outdoors from 9am - 3pm.
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 [email protected], with questions or for additional information.
Montgomery County Updates
Voting in Pennsylvania
Learn how to exercise your right to vote. This guide will help connect you with Pennsylvania's voting and election services including voter registration, mail-in ballot, absentee ballot, polling places, and more. www.pa.gov/guides/voting-and-elections
Montco Invites Your Feedback for New Study Focused on
Six Important County Corridors
If you drive, walk, bike, work, or live near Easton Road, Butler Pike, Germantown Pike, Sumneytown Pike, Geryville Pike, or Swamp Pike, we would like to hear your vision for the overall character and functionality of these important county-owned roadways for a new study, Montco Pikes: A Vision Plan for Six County Corridors. Share your thoughts on key issues, concerns, and opportunities for each corridor. Where do you encounter congestion? Where do you feel unsafe walking, biking, accessing transit, or driving? What areas need improvements? 
The plan, anticipated to be completed in two years, will present a long-term vision for each corridor in terms of overall character and function. It will provide guidance for where additional travel lanes, sidewalks, bike lanes, and other types of improvements might be appropriate, as well as where there are significant safety issues or environmental constraints that need to be considered.
The Montgomery County Planning Commission is overseeing this effort with technical support from the consultant team led by McMahon Associates, Inc. and Gannett Fleming, Inc. The $300,000 study is being funded by federal transportation funds through a partnership between the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
Additional design and engineering will be required before any improvements can be constructed, and improvements will likely be implemented in a phased approach over time, based on needs and available resources. The Montco Pikes study is an important first step in planning for the future transportation needs along these county corridors.
Visit https://www.montcopa.org/montcopikes to learn more about the study, view a video, and provide input throughout the planning process.
Household Hazardous Waste Drop off

Saturday, September 26, 2020 @ Spring Ford 9th Grade Center, 400 South Lewis Road, Royersford
Sunday, October 25, 2020 @ Lower Merion Transfer Station, 1300 N. Woodbine Ave, Penn Valley

Please visit MontcoPARecycles.org, email [email protected], or call the recycling line at 610-278-3618. Please do not contact the host sites, as they are not affiliated with the events. In case of severe weather, call 610-278-3618, option 6 for event status. Free residential collection events are held outdoors from 9am - 3pm.

PLEASE NOTE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS: A link will be available for pre-registration that is required prior to attending a household hazardous waste collection. Once you have registered print the ticket with the selected date and time of the event. The ticket must be displayed on the dashboard of the vehicle and visible for viewing by event staff. Please remain in your vehicle at all times in order to maintain social distancing and keep windows closed while in line and when dropping off. Materials should be in a box and must be in the trunk or bed of the vehicle for removal. EVENT WORKERS WILL ONLY UNLOAD MATERIALS FROM THE TRUNK OR BED OF A VEHICLE. 
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.

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.
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: [email protected].
Take the US Census
As of 9/10/20, the countywide response rate is more than 20% shy of 100% participation. This equates to about $288 million plus in federal funding per year for the next ten years that the county misses out on (every %5 of an undercount is about $72 million in annual funding). Census results help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities to support infrastructure, schools, Medicaid, SNAP, housing choice vouchers, head start, senior programs, and more! You can view the latest response rate at the county and community level 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.
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.
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.