The following is our latest on coronavirus response and news:
LAST CHANCE! SURVEY: We want to hear how your company is doing, and in turn, gain guidance on what is happening in the Abilene economy during this ever-changing time. By asking the same questions week-by-week, we will be looking for trends and inflection points. CLICK HERE to take this week's survey.
TAYLOR COUNTY EXTENDS DISASTER DECLARATION: Taylor County Commissioners have extended their own disaster declaration at their regular meeting, but plan to meet Friday to discuss plans moving forward. Read more here.
UPDATE FROM THE CITY: Mayor Williams took to his Facebook page yesterday and provided additional information pending the reopening of local businesses. You can view the video here.
GOVERNOR ABBOTT PRESS CONFERENCE UPDATE: Governor Greg Abbott held a press conference Monday where he released phase one of the plan to re-open Texas. Find a recap of the press conference here and click here to view the Governor's Open Texas Report.
Minimum Recommended Health Protocols (PDFs)
SUMMARY ON GUIDANCE ISSUED BY THE U.S. OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA): To help you better understand the recent guidance issued by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Chamber has created a summary outlining what employers need to know about protecting their workers as they maintain or resume operations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The summary describes OSHA's comments and addresses three of the main questions:
How should employers protect their employees?
Do employers have to record cases of COVID-19 on their injury logs?
How will OSHA conduct enforcement related to Coronavirus?
GUIDES AND RESOURCES: We continue to gather various guides and resources to bring you the information you need during this difficult time. We encourage you to continue utilizing and sharing the following items as you see fit:
NEW! Backgrounder on Unemployment Insurance Under the CARES Act
Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist
ABILENE WORKS: As we all move to re-open Texas and Abilene, many Abilenians may be without a job. If you have a position open in your company, please share it on our Abilene-centric job portal – abileneworks.com. It is free and we help market the position for you.
TEXAS RETAIL SALES EXTEND DECLINES: Retail sales continued to fall sharply in April, according to business executives responding to the Texas Retail Outlook Survey. The sales index, a key measure of state retail activity, edged up from an all-time low of -82.6 in March to -78.5. Inventories continued to decline sharply, with the inventories index weakening from -42.6 to -45.5. Read More.
UPDATE YOUR BUSINESS HOURS: We've been keeping track of business hours on businessresourceabilene.com. Help us share with the public of your changes by updating your hours of operation here.
Webinars for business
4/29 WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY: PROTECTING YOUR BUSINESS FROM CYBER THREATS: Join us this Wednesday, April 29th at 10:30 am EST for our third virtual Workshop Wednesday: Protecting Your Business from Cyber Threats, an audience-driven discussion designed specifically for the small business community. Register here.
5/1 MANAGING STRESS IN UNCERTAIN TIMES: Stress management is what we often call it, but is that what we are really doing? Is “managing” even the right word? In this short webinar we will explore how “stress management” or any kind of “management” related to our health and wellbeing can work in this environment. Register here.
5/5 COMMUNICATING AND BUILDING A BRAND THROUGH A CRISIS: Whether you are an individual, executive, company, small business or firm – knowing how to communicate and build brand through this crisis is essential to thriving after this is over. Mila Grigg, CEO, MODA Image and Brand Consulting, is joining us for a live webinar. Her experience around personal brand branding, company brand building, marketing, communicating, sharing on social media and building executive and company brands will give you a plan to communicate through and beyond this crisis and how to share value on social media. There are things you can do RIGHT now that will allow you to share your story, grow your message and thrive. Register here.
5/7 MANAGING YOUR FINANCES AND BUDGET THROUGH A CRISIS: Join the Chamber and Eide Bailly, LLP for an in-depth look at managing your finances and budget through a crisis. Topics will include an overview of IRS relief programs (maximizing loan forgiveness and the next round of payroll protection, employee retention credit), managing cash flows, tax saving opportunities and what information your bank or lender will want and be looking for. Register here.
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