Passover and Easter are certainly different this year but, keep in mind the Abilene business community will rise again after this pandemic is under control. For many of our businesses, we will come back stronger than ever, because we're Texans and we don't do anything small. We will get through this pandemic together but, please remember to stay home & keep your distance this holiday weekend.
Business Updates for COVID-19
The following is our latest on coronavirus response and news:
RELIEF FOR 501(C)(6) ORGANIZATIONS: Support your local Chamber of Commerce and industry trade associations by respectfully asking Congress to include 501(c)6 organizations and other 501(c) non-profits as eligible participants in COVID-19 relief efforts.Click here.
SHARE YOUR GOOD BUSINESS NEWS WITH US: Big Country area businesses are offering help to the community in many ways as we weather the COVID-19 situation together. Share how your business is helping.
LT. GOV. PATRICK APPOINTS BUSINESS TASK FORCE TO RE-START THE ECONOMY: BRINT RYAN WILL CHAIR: Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is establishing a Task Force from his Business Advisory Council to begin to work on a set of recommendations for re-starting the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic stay at home order is canceled. Brint Ryan, founder, and CEO of Ryan International and TXBIZ's 2021 incoming chairman has been tapped as the chair of the Lt. Gov's Task Force. Click Here to read more.
LISTEN TO DR. RAY PERRYMAN TALK ABOUT WHAT'S NEXT FOR TEXAS' ECONOMY: Dr. Ray Perryman President and CEO of The Perryman Group, economic research, and analysis firm based in Waco, Texas talked today with TXBIZ members. Perryman discussed the recent estimates of massive job losses associated with COVID-19 and the frequent comparison to the Great Depression. Click Here to hear the full conference call with Dr. Perryman.
RURAL COVID-19 RELIEF TOOLS: Last week's federal stimulus includes resources aimed at supporting rural communities. More here.
MENTAL HEALTH TIPS DURING COVID-19: In the context of COVID-19, we feel the need to fight, yet we are faced with an invisible enemy. We feel the desire to flee, yet we are sheltering in place and have nowhere to run to.Familiar routines are disrupted, and many of our familiar interactions are put on hold. For many of us, this means being thrust into a very new situation, despite the familiar surroundings of our homes. How do we handle being left with just ourselves and those under the same roof? Thanks to our friends at Betty Hardwick Center for putting together mental health tips during COVID-19. You can read the full article here.
Previously shared updates
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOCAL LENDERS: We're blessed in that Abilene's financial landscape is populated by strong, local institutions that qualify as SBA lenders. They are institutions we know and trust and are members of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce. View the list here.
COMFORT FOOD CARE PACKAGES: FEED YOUTH AND FAMILIES IN NEED AND STAY OPEN: Governor Greg Abbott today announced the Comfort Food Care Package (CFCP) program to provide meals for at-risk youth and families in communities across Texas as the state responds to COVID-19. As part of the program, participating restaurants offer CFCPs for patrons to purchase on behalf of families and youth in need. Read more and sign up here.
COVID-19 COMPLIANT BUSINESS PARTNER: To further encourage the business community to comply with new "Limited Shelter in Place" order, the Chamber is launching “COVID-19 Work Safe ABI” program.Businesses who adopt these principles are encouraged to publicly declare their pledge to do so. Take the pledge.
ABILENE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU: Stay engaged with your favorite attractions through virtual events. Find things to do, local dining and more here.
CHAMBER MEMBER EXCLUSIVE:
4/10 NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS TOWN HALL: Today Friday, April 10 at noon ET, Inc. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will team up for a third virtual National Small Business Town Hall to help small business owners and sole proprietors alike navigate the programs that are available to them. Inc. Editor-At-Large Kimberly Weisul will moderate a discussion with the U.S. Chamber’s Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer Neil Bradley to lay out the new guidance for sole proprietors, address the steps all impacted businesses should take to tap into available resources, and discuss the potential for more aid in the future. Register here.
4/13 CARES ACT WEBINAR FOR NON-PROFITS: Learn how your nonprofit organization can possibly obtain Coronavirus Relief through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and/or the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan program. Register here.
4/14 GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES WITH THOMAS HOENIG: Mr. Hoenig is a distinguished senior fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University and former vice chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Register here.
4/23 GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES WITH DONALD KOHN: Mr. Kohn is the Robert V. Roosa Chair in International Economics and senior fellow in the Economic Studies program at the Brookings Institution.Register here.
FOUR READS