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The Daily
Edition for Thursday, May 7, 2020 |
To view this Daily Impact online, click here. |
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Welcome to
your Daily Impact newsletter! |
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As a valued member of
the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, we plan to stay in touch with you every
afternoon, through emails like this one and on Facebook and Twitter, until the pandemic passes. We
intend to provide you with the latest state and federal information, as well
as highlighting the creativity and innovation that is occuring here in Maine
during this unpredictable and rapidly changing time. To assist you in
navigating the uncertainties ahead, we have created a diverse and
comprehensive collection of web-based resources to help you take care of yourself and your family, your employees, your business, and your community. |
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Do you have a question? ASK THE EXPERTS. |
We are here to
help in any way we can! |
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Mills Administration
Secures Major COVID-19 Testing Expansion For Maine State Of Maine
Partners With IDEXX To More Than Triple Its Testing Capacity |
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Thank you, IDEXX, for your contributions to the health and well-being of
Maine people during this unprecedented pandemic. We know how important the
health of Maine people is to all of us, and to the health of Maine's economy.
We sincerely hope testing helps reopen economies in Maine as soon as possible
so we can all get back to business. |
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Governor Janet Mills announced
today that her Administration has secured a major
expansion of COVID-19 testingo for the State of Maine. The Administration
has partnered with Maine-based
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. to purchase enough of the company's recently
authorized COVID-19 testing kits to more than triple the State's testing
capacity. The breakthrough will soon allow anyone in Maine suspected of
having COVID-19 to receive a test. IDEXX, a worldwide leader in
animal diagnostics, also has deep expertise in human diagnostics through its
human health business, OPTI
Medical Systems. Earlier today, IDEXX announced the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration has granted OPTI Medical Systems an Emergency Use
Authorization for IDEXX's OPTI SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR laboratory test kit for the
detection of the 2019 novel coronavirus. The Mills Administration is
purchasing enough of these test kits to run at least 5,000 tests per week for
the foreseeable future. "I am grateful to the frontline workers in Maine and around the world who have been working tirelessly to help treat and contain the spread of Covid-19," said Jay Mazelsky, President and CEO of IDEXX. "Assisting governments with infectious disease management is core to what we do and all of us at IDEXX are proud to be able to leverage our capabilities in support of these efforts in our home state of Maine." Taken in combination with
Maine CDC's current capacity of 2,000 tests per week, the partnership with
IDEXX more than triples the State of Maine's testing capacity. These tests
are in addition to those conducted for Maine residents by nongovernmental
labs in and outside of the state. Additionally, IDEXX is loaning a testing
instrument to the Maine CDC's laboratory to help accommodate the higher
testing volume and is generously donating enough test kits to conduct 3,500
tests. The expansion of testing is
also crucial to gradually restarting the economy and is one of the four
guiding principles in the Governor's vision for reopening Maine. With this
additional capacity, Maine CDC will be able to better gauge the prevalence of
the virus throughout the State. These data will help inform the
appropriateness of lifting restrictions and moving through reopening stages. |
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Maine Chamber Hosts Webinar On International Trade And
Energy |
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Yesterday,
the Maine State Chamber of Commerce hosted a fourth webinar in its Wednesday
Webinar series, this time focusing on international trade and energy. The
webinar featured three speakers: John Murphy, Senior Vice President for
International Policy with the U.S. Chamber; Christopher Guith, Senior Vice President
at the U.S. Chamber's Global Energy Institute; and, Anthony Buxton, Esq., a
partner with PretiFlaherty. |
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International policy discussions centered around the pandemic and its effects on the supply chain with U.S. trading partners, specifically Mexico and China. Due to the way in which countries have dealt with "stay at home" orders - whether in the form of decrees or just guidance - has had extensive impacts on cross-border supply chains impacting many companies' ability to continue operations. Discussion also focused on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. At the
federal level, the discussion of energy issues focused on the drop in oil
prices and how that has affected mechanics of excess supply, the current
demand, impacts of recent production, and how all of that impacts the future
of oil and job losses and continued lower prices. On a state level perspective, energy issues discussions focused on the need to have "reason and science" play a dominant role in the development of policy. There was some recognition that fear tends to drive decisions on climate change, and the challenge is to ensure policymakers have the expert advice they need to make the appropriate decisions. The Maine State Chamber would again like to thank the webinar's
sponsors: Premier Sponsor: PretiFlaherty Series Sponsors: Central Maine Power Company, Bangor
Savings Bank, and the Maine Department of Economic & Community Development |
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To reserve your banner ad in the Daily Impact, please contact Melody Rousseau |
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The Bottom Line Podcast With Special Guest,
Maine Governor Janet Mills |
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Maine Governor Janet Mills was this week's special guest on The Bottom Line
podcast. Governor Mills joined The
Bottom Line co-hosts Dana Connors of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce
and John Williams of Williams Broadcasting to discuss her gradual four-phase plan
to Restart Maine's Economy and the ways Maine businesses can prepare to open
their doors. To listen to today's podcast and archived shows, please visit The Bottom Line page on our website. |
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Maine Delegation Announces More Than $20 Million for Maine
Fishing Industry |
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U.S.
Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and
Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden announced today that Maine lobstermen,
fishermen, and other Mainers working in the seafood supply chain will receive
a total of $20,166,476. The funding
represents the fifth-highest amount being awarded among 31 recipients. "The hardworking men and women in Maine's lobster and fishing industries are facing severe financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has closed restaurants and reduced exports," said the Maine Delegation. "This targeted relief will provide crucial support for workers, help our seafood supply chains survive, and assist the families and communities that depend on this important economic sector." |
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Help the Maine State Chamber of Commerce Celebrate Teacher
Appreciation Week |
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Maine
Public, the Maine Department of Education, and Educate Maine have joined
forces to create original, educational programming for grade school students
in Grades 3 to 5. Dedicated teachers from across Maine have developed
original video lessons, pulling content from their own lesson plans and
sources to provide exceptional learning opportunities for Maine students. The
Learning Space airs every weekday on Maine Public Television through
mid-June. Completed episodes will be available online. |
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To
recognize the efforts and talents of the participating teachers and
educators, a stipend is being offered for lessons that are broadcasted. At
this point, this element of the project remains unfunded. If you or business
would like to sponsor a teacher please reach out to Megan Diver at the Maine State Chamber or Cory Morrissey at Maine Public. More
about The Learning Space: This series features teachers from across Maine
sharing original video lessons specifically designed for this project. With
over 183,000 Maine students currently at home and 30,000 or more students
without access to online learning opportunities due to broadband access
issues, The Learning Space is designed to help fill the void by providing
exceptional educational programming via television. Maine Public Television
is available for free over-the-air across Maine and can also be accessed via
cable, the internet, and over satellite systems. The
Learning Space is broadcast on Maine Public Television at 12:30 p.m. each
weekday starting on Monday, April 27. As more episodes of The Learning Space
are developed, the broadcast schedule will expand to run from Noon to 1:00
p.m. Episodes of The Learning Space will be archived for later viewing on
numerous platforms online including on mainepublic.org. The Learning Space
will air through the spring to mid-June. Go to mainepublic.org for more
information on The Learning Space. |
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Use the Maine State Chamber's blog and Daily
Impact to tell your story! |
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Numerous Maine companies stepping up or pivoting nimbly, as
Maine people resourcefully address the challenges of this pandemic. Share
your perspective and experience with us and with the rest of the business
community. How are you facing and overcoming the challenges posed by this
pandemic? What are you and your employees doing in this dramatically
different economy? Tell us about the innovations your company or employees
are making or ways you have adapted your company to meet your customers'
needs. Each blog entry should
be 300 to 500 words. Join us in creating a written history of the business
community's resilience and innovation during this extraordinary time. Please submit your entries to blog@mainechamber.org. For more information
or questions, please contact Mark Ellis by emailing mellis@mainechamber.org or by calling (207)
623-4568, ext. 109. |
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Maine State Chamber Presents Free Wednesday Webinar Series |
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SERIES SPONSORS: Bangor Savings Bank,
Central Maine Power Company, Additional webinars will be
forthcoming, and sponsorship
opportunities are available. Registration or general questions can be
directed to Angela Arno, director of programs and events for the Maine State
Chamber of Commerce, by emailing aarno@mainechamber.org or
calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 104. |
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Wednesday,
May 13 | Starting at 11:00 a.m. RECENT STATE AND FEDERAL TAX CHANGES This webinar will focus on
federal tax changes contained in the CARES Act and changes made at the state
level that provide support for businesses during this pandemic. Additional
topics also include a look at the ever-changing landscape at the federal level
for additional stimulus funds and what those changes might look like. Register here | Sponsored by Pierce Atwood and WIPFLi,
LLP |
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Please Join Us
For The Maine State Chamber's Regional Breakfast Series, A Virtual Update The
Maine State Chamber of Commerce, together with local and regional chambers of
commerce, invites you to our Regional Breakfast Meetings, held virtually on
Zoom. As a local business leader, your valuable insight is instrumental to
this open dialogue about issues that affect your business, your community and
your state. We need your expertise and input to make recommendations and to
identify opportunities for moving Maine's economic future in a positive
direction. |
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Normally,
attending one of our annual statewide breakfast series meetings is an ideal
way for you, the Maine business leader, to interact with business associates,
new and prospective Maine State Chamber members, and state representatives in
a relaxed setting. This year, due to the COVID-19 situation, we will be
hosting this event online as a coffee hour from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. - so
grab a cup of coffee and join the conversation from the relaxation of your
own home. |
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Portland
Area Monday, May 18 |
Lewiston
Area Tuesday, May 19 |
Bangor
Area Thursday, May 21 with the Bangor Region
Chamber of Commerce |
Presque
Isle Area Thursday, May 28 |
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To join these advertisers in
the Daily
Impact, please contact Melody Rousseau |
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NOTICE: In an ongoing effort to thwart
the activities of online hackers, the Maine State Chamber |