Weekly Newsletter & updates
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NEBRASKA BUSINESS SURVEY TO HELP INFORM LEADERS ON COVID-19 IMPACTS
How do we define the current state of Nebraska business in the midst of pandemic? Where do we go from here?
The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry has partnered with Governor's Office, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, the University of Nebraska, and local chambers to deploy a comprehensive survey to help answer these questions.
Ten minutes
of your time will help these agencies and organizations understand the specific impact coronavirus has on revenue and workforce -- and find the best ways to support our business community today and going forward. It is important to get as many responses as possible to ensure diverse sectors are represented.
Make your voice hear by taking this
survey
by
Friday, April 24, 5 p.m. CDT / 4 p.m. MDT.
Your response today will ensure your organization is part of an ongoing survey effort to track the impact of this health and economic crisis over the coming months.
We appreciate the critical role you are playing in helping our state weather this crisis. As always, thank you for your partnership and support.
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Nebraska Business COVID-19 Survey
Starts: April 15
Closes: April 24
(5 p.m. CDT / 4 p.m. MDT)
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Est. Completion Time: 10 minutes
One survey per business please
Available in English and Spanish
Nonprofits welcome to respond
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Respond today to ensure your organization is part of ongoing survey process through the crisis.
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Buy Local ~ Support Local Businesses
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The Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber of Commerce will be working remotely until further notice to follow the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health departments.
Our members will be able to stay updated on the chamber website, regarding COVID-19, new assistance programs that are available to all businesses and the new requirements to file for unemployment.
The chamber has suspended all committee meetings and events.
The chambers goal is to have a fully functioning and flexible operation that allows them to serve their members and protect the health and well-being of their team. We are not changing the business we do, but how to do it over a short term.
To help reduce the spread of the coronavirus, the chamber believes all employers should implement strategies to protect their workforce from COVID-19, while continuing operations.
The staff can still be reached by email, via our Facebook or on our website,
www.scottsbluffgering.net
. Contact information is listed below:
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We have added a page to our website that is devoted to sharing resources to assist our community as we navigate through the challenges COVID-19 presents. We will update it on a regular basis, as more information comes available. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to our office with any questions you may have!
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Panhandle Business & Employer Update
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Please register for
COVID-19 Panhandle Update to Businesses & Employers
on Apr 23, 2020 12:00 PM MDT at:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
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COVID-19 Information and Links
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*These links are also available on the chamber website under COVID-19 Resources
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Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry
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The Nebraska Chamber has created two resources for businesses navigating federal relief programs. The effort was a result of member feedback that a more simplistic roadmap was needed.
The guides provide side-by-side comparisons of federal and state unemployment programs, as well as the terms of lending programs.
The charts include links for applying and submitting ongoing filings. They also direct users to various guides, videos, and instructions to help lead applicants through the process.
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Legislature Approves Emergency Coronavirus Funding
Lawmakers passed a bill March 25 that provides emergency funding to combat the coronavirus pandemic in Nebraska.
LB1198, sponsored by Senator Stinner, appropriates a total of $83.6 million to bolster the state's response to the spread of COVID-19.
LB1198 passed on a vote of 45-0. It was signed by the governor and took effect immediately.
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SBA Disaster Loans
Federal disaster loans are now available for Nebraska small businesses after the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) approved Nebraska’s request for assistance last Friday. It allows affected businesses and nonprofits to begin applying for low-interest, long-term loans to help them pay bills and other expenses during the business disruptions that COVID-19 is creating. Restaurants, bars, retailers, salons and other small businesses have had to restrict operations or close entirely due to the limit on public gatherings.
The annual interest rate is 3.75% for businesses and 2.75% for nonprofits. No payments are due on the loans for one year. Each application is being reviewed on a case-by-case basis. It can take 21 to 30 days to receive funds, but it’s expected that Nebraskans applying to the SBA will soon be eligible for short-term bridge loans of up to $25,000.
How to apply for a loan:
·
Call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955
Nebraska Department of Economic Development
field staff
are available to provide guidance.
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COVID-19 COMMUNITY COMPASSION FUND
United Way of Western Nebraska has launched a relief fund, the COVID-19 Community Compassion Fund, to help organizations and individuals most in need of assistance. United Way of Western Nebraska is now accepting donations to this fund with
100% of the funds raised granted to nonprofits in our service area. As is the tradition of United Way of Western Nebraska (UWWN), funds raised in UWWN’s specific service areas remain in those areas
to support non-profit organizations with a focus of helping people.
Process
An Ad Hoc Advisory Committee has been formed with community leaders from Alliance, Chadron and the Scottsbluff area that are working with United Way to advise on the direction and implementation of support to address the needs in the community. The committee will administer grants from the fund in phases to help address immediate needs and short-term and longer-term impacts of the outbreak and recovery.
Funding Priorities
This fund provides nonprofit organizations with flexible resources to address the impact of the COVID-19 public health crisis on our community or other publicly declared crisis, including immediate basic needs, gaps in service, and operational challenges. Preference will be given to the provision of direct services in this context. Funding Applications are available on the United Way of Western Nebraska website at uwwn.org under the COVID-19 Resources tab.
Our Commitment to the Community
Throughout this process, United Way of Western Nebraska is committed to:
- Developing a central pool of funds nonprofits can access for support throughout the crisis.
- Listening to our community partners to help determine the most pressing emergency needs and their impact.
- Working cooperatively with other organizations to help assess and help to address immediate needs and longer-term needs beyond the grant.
- An expedited process for the distribution of COVID-19 Community Compassion Fund grants.
- Reporting how and where COVID-19 Community Compassion Fund grants are utilized, using the same level of diligence as we do with all of our granting processes.
Additional Information:
- Grants from the COVID-19 Community Compassion Fund are made possible by a very generous $10,000 lead grant from First National Bank of Omaha.
- All funds must be spent within the United Way of Western Nebraska service areas.
- All applications for funding must be related to the impact of COVID-19 public health crisis on our community.
- Priority given to immediate basic needs (food, rent assistance, utility assistance, etc.). Gaps in services and operational challenges may be addressed if funds are available after basic needs applications have been met or as directed by funder’s donation designation.
Together we can make a difference in our community.
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STAKEHOLDER ANNOUNCEMENT: USDA Implements Immediate Measures to Help Rural Residents, Businesses and Communities Affected by COVID-19
WASHINGTON, March 25, 2020 – USDA Rural Development has taken a number of immediate actions to help rural residents, businesses and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Rural Development will keep our customers, partners, and stakeholders continuously updated as more actions are taken to better serve rural America.
Read the full announcement
to learn more about the opportunities USDA Rural Development is implementing to provide immediate relief to our customers, partners, and stakeholders.
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WNCC Summer Free Scholarships
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CSC Online Undergraduate and Graduate Courses
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Rolls & Issues Conference Calls - Postponed
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Rolls & Issues Conference Calls with Senator Stinner
Remaining Rolls & Issues Conference Call with Senator Stinner have been put on hold until they resume session. Stay tuned for more information when it becomes available.
If you have any questions please call the Chamber office at 308-632-2133
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Upcoming Business After Hours
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Main Street Market /
Rural Radio Scottsbluff
Thursday, May 7, 2020
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
401 S Beltline Hwy W
Main Street Market
Scottsbluff
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Western Nebraska Pioneers
Thursday, May 28, 2020
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
800 13th Street
Oregon Trail Park Stadium
Gering
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Western Heritage Federal Credit Union
Thursday, June 18, 2020
4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
901 W 29th Street
Scottsbluff
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1517 Broadway, Suite 104 | Scottsbluff, NE 69361
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