Chamber Connections BLOG
Chamber Connections BLOG
SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus
• The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration. • Any such Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance declaration issued by the SBA makes loans available to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations in designated areas of a state or territory to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). • SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance will coordinate with the state’s or territory’s Governor to submit the request for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance. • Once a declaration is made for designated areas within a state, the information on the application process for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance will be made available to all affected communities as well as updated on our website: SBA.gov/disaster. • SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. • These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%. • SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay. • SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans are just one piece of the expanded focus of the federal government’s coordinated response, and the SBA is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible. • For additional information, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center. Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. • Visit SBA.gov/disaster for more information.
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Coronavirus Special Topic Conference Call Series Conference Call Topics Force Majeure, Cyber Risks in Teleworking, SBA Disaster Loan Available, HR Considerations in Teleworking, ThomasNet Manufacturing Survey Results, Aerospace/Defense related Issues and more! Please join the Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Commerce for our special topic conference call series. This series of conference calls will run throughout the Spring 2020. Registration for this series is FREE. Please register using the button below, you only have to register once as the conference call details will be identical for every topic. Schedule:Wednesday, March 18, 2020 (1pm-2pm Eastern)Force Majeure both for Contracts/Suppliers, Cancellation of Trade Shows Robinson & Cole LLP partners Jeff White and Taylor Shea will discuss the impact that coronavirus is having or may have on commercial transactions, including in the supply chain. They will discuss some of the basics surrounding “force majeure” clauses and how companies can plan for and react to the current health emergency. Thursday, March 19, 2020 (1pm-2pm Eastern)ThomasNet Survey and How Business are Coping Thomas, North America’s leading industrial sourcing and marketing platform, surveyed over 1,000 manufacturing companies to understand coronavirus’ immediate impacts on North American manufacturing. Listen to their results and discussion. Speaker: Tony Uphoff, CEO, ThomasNet Tuesday, March 24, 2020 (1pm-2pm Eastern)SBA Disaster LoanThe SBA will be providing to small businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19) Up to $2 Million in Disaster Assistance Loans. Wendell Davis, Regional Administrator, SBA will discuss the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and how eligible companies can benefit from the program. Wednesday, March 25, 2020 (11am - 12pm Eastern)Aerospace/Defense Supply Chain Firms—Evolving Business Practices and Business Development Strategies Amidst COVID-19Hear from the Midlands Aerospace Alliance and Netherlands Industries for Defense & Security about how COVID-19 has affected their member firms, strategies European firms have employed to keep business moving forward, and an idea exchange for how transatlantic business relationships can be maintained amidst the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation. Speakers: Dr. Andrew Mair, Chief Executive, Midlands Aerospace Alliance Mr. Peter Huis in ’t Veld, Business Development Manager, Netherlands Industries for Defense & Security (NIDV) Wednesday, March 25, 2020 (1pm-2pm Eastern)Cyber Security Concerns While Teleworking Employees that normally work from their work PC are now using personal equipment and residential internet access. What are the risks and best way to mitigate. Speakers: Andy Sauer, Director of Cybersecurity, Steel Root Shahryar Shaghaghi, Principal, CohnReznick Advisory Thursday, March 26, 2020 (1pm- 2pm Eastern)Employment Issues Related to TeleworkingMatthew T. Miklave, Partner, Robinson & Cole LLP will discuss HR issues presented by coronavirus and off site working along with federal, state and local policies. Registration for this series is FREE. Please register using the link below, you only have to register once as the conference call details will be the same for every topic. Please check this web page frequently for updates. Register Here Series Details Register Here Series Detail SBA Rhode Island District Office380 Westminster Street, Suite 501 Providencewww.SBA.gov/RI For most recent info on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) visit the Rhode Island Dept. of Health: https://health.ri.gov/ https://health.ri.gov/diseases/ncov2019/ contact 401-222-8022 (Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm) or email RIDOH.COVID19Questions@health.ri.gov After hours: Call 211 ______________________________________________ If companies have questions regarding access to capital and other lending options, please call the Small Business Hotline at (401) 521-HELP or e-mail info@commerceri.com. The Department of Labor and Training stands ready to assist employees and employers who are affected or have questions. DLT is increasing the flexibility and manageability of the Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) and the Unemployment Insurance, including waiving the seven-day minimum amount of time and previously required medical certification. Affected businesses with questions on Unemployment Insurance, Paid Sick and Safe Leave, or other work-related programs should contact the DLT by emailing dlt.covid19@dlt.ri.gov or calling (401) 462-2020. Additionally, Commerce is working with the Small Business Administration on unlocking emergency tools at the federal level. If a business has been affected by this event, we are asking them to fill out this estimated disaster injury worksheet. Accurate responses to the questions below will assist in evaluating a request for an economic injury disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration. This survey can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/estimated-disaster-economic-injury-worksheet If your business would like to provide a charitable donation, please reach out to info@commerceri.com for more information. For more updated information on Commerceri services and efforts, please visit http://commerceri.com/covid-19 How to Navigate the Coronavirus Crisis The BBB is Committed to help business owners manage the current situation of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, currently disrupting supply chains, customers, and the lives of employees. It's important to remain calm, stay informed and take proactive measures in keeping the health and safety of everyone a top priority. BBB recommends the following tips for businesses in handling customer, employee and business relations in light of coronavirus concerns: read more >> INITIAL SILVER CREEK BRIDGE DETOUR STARTS MARCH 2 What’s Happening? The Rhode Island Department of Transportation will be reconstructing the Silver Creek Bridge on Hope Street in Bristol. Southbound traffic, into downtown Bristol, will be in place during all construction. Northbound traffic will be detoured. Pedestrian and bike traffic will be allowed throughout construction. RIPTA will be posting updated schedules to accommodate the detour route. When is it Happening? The SB “one way” travel over the bridge and NB detour will be in place from March 2 to mid-June. Two-way traffic will be in place from mid-June through the 4th of July Parade. The SB “one-way” and NB detour will return on July 6 and continue until the estimated end of construction, prior to Labor Day. RIDOT Business Outreach David Walsh | 401-479-4506 Marshall Building and Remodeling awarded Angie's List Super Service Award 11th Year in a Row!2/10/2020 Marshall Building and Remodeling awarded Angie's List Super Service Award 11th Year in a Row! "Service pros that receive our Angie's List Super Service Award represent the best in our network, who are consistently making great customer service their mission," said Angie's List Founder Angie Hicks. "These pros have provided exceptional service to our members and absolutely deserve recognition for the exemplary customer service they exhibited in the past year." Angie's List Super Service Award 2019 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include maintaining an "A" rating in overall grade, recent grade and review period grade. The SSA winners must be in good standing with Angie's List and undergo additional screening. Service company ratings are updated continually on Angie's List as new, verified consumer reviews are submitted. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in multiple fields ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality. Sample Fitness Classes in the East Bay!
How it works: -Look at the calendar and find a class you want to try -Go to that business on that date and time -Show them your calendar to gain entry to the class -Enjoy a great class and feel great FIRST STOP BY Businesses listed below to pick up a calendar. Brickyard Wine & Spirits, 1 Waseca Ave, Barrington Caron Jewelers, 473 Hope Street, Bristol Imagine Gift Store, 5 Miller Street, Warren Paper, Packaging & Panache, 418 Hope Street, Bristol Grapes & Grains, 24 Bosworth St, Barrington The Peyton Company, 11 Child Street, Warren Chamber Office, 16 Cutler Street, Warren Piccolo's Children Boutique, 290 County Road, Barrington Tom's Market, 16 Cutler Street, Warren more businesses will be added A program sponsored by Your Local Merchant Groups: Barrington Business Association, Bristol Merchants Associations, Explore Bristol and Discover Warren #ThreeTownsOneCommunity RIDOT ABLE TO KEEP BRISTOL’S SILVER CREEK BRIDGE
PARTIALLY OPEN DURING CONSTRUCTION As promised, Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) project managers, the contractor for the Silver Creek Bridge replacement project and Town officials have continued to work on a solution to rebuild the bridge in a way that will provide a minimum negative impact on the residents, businesses and commuters in the Bristol area. Bristol residents and business owners had expressed concerns that a full closure, even for the short eight-week construction period, might cause revenues to fall off. After working with the contractor for the Silver Creek Bridge project and reviewing several alternatives, RIDOT has found a solution that will keep at least one lane of the bridge open to traffic throughout the entire construction process thereby avoiding the need to close the entire bridge to traffic for eight weeks. Preliminary discussions indicate that the Department most likely will keep southbound traffic flowing on the bridge and detour northbound traffic during the times when only a single lane on the bridge will be open. The decision will be finalized by January, working in coordination with the community. Other options such as building a temporary bridge for the eight-week period and then tearing it down, or using the bike path bridge adjacent to the project, were determined to be too costly, too disruptive to an adjacent business, and would cause delays in project scheduling due to environmental permitting issues. The first phase of construction will include utility relocation and the permanent relocation of sewer and water lines taking place from now to February 15, 2020. During this phase, while there will be temporary lane shifts and splits, traffic will continue uninterrupted in both directions over the bridge. During the second phase from February 16, 2020 until June 19, 2020, RIDOT will close half the bridge and keep one lane and the sidewalk open. The one lane will accommodate traffic in one direction only. The opposite direction of traffic will be detoured around the work zone. During this phase, RIDOT will demolish and rebuild the closed half of the bridge completely and relocate utilities to their permanent location. The third phase of construction from June 19, 2020 to July 5, 2020, RIDOT will reopen the bridge lanes and sidewalks to allow uninterrupted travel in both directions. The last phase of bridge construction between July 6, 2020 and August 28, 2020 includes demolition and replacement of the opposite side of the bridge with one lane of traffic allowed in one direction again. RIDOT is offering incentives to the contractor for an earlier completion of the bridge work during this phase. Final construction activities are scheduled to be completed between August 28, 2020 and October 16, 2020. Traffic will remain open in both directions while final paving, striping and landscaping take place. The additional cost for this plan is $300,000. This amount is within the contingency budget for the project. All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather. The replacement of the Silver Creek Bridge is made possible by RhodeWorks, RIDOT's ongoing commitment to repair structurally deficient bridges and bring Rhode Island's transportation infrastructure into a state of good repair, promote economic development, and create jobs. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks. Rhode Island’s Top Rated Local® Roofing Contractors Award Winner: Marshall Building & Remodeling10/1/2019 Rhode Island’s Top Rated Local® Roofing Contractors Award Winner:
Marshall Building & Remodeling "“Happiness starts inside the home. We are providing people with a stress-free experience. We are involved with a number of charities and organizations around Rhode Island. We try to spread honesty and trust in what we do, and do the best we can for the people in Rhode Island. We take the time to educate people as well. There is a lot to know when it comes to roofing. We want people to feel heard, and we take our time.” Anne Marshall ... read more>> The East Bay Chamber has a New Exciting Benefit to offer! The YMCA of Greater Providence Corporate Membership Program helps employers improve the health and well-being of their workforce. As a member of the East Bay Chamber of Commerce, you are now eligible for a 10% savings on your membership each month at the Bayside Family YMCA! Already a member- no problem! Take advantage of your savings by stopping by the Y today! What's included in your YMCA Membership:
For more information, please contact Anthony Gibney, member Experience Director at 245-2444 or agibney@gpymca.org |
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