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The Daily Edition for Thursday, May 14, 2020

To view this Daily Impact online, click here.

 

 

Welcome to your Daily Impact newsletter!

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.

Do you have a question? ASK THE EXPERTS.

We are here to help in any way we can!

 

 

Dana Connors discusses MACCE's "Re-starting Maine's Economy" survey, COVID-19's impact on businesses

Dana Connors joined Ric Tyler and George Hale on WVOM today to discuss a recent business survey from the Maine Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (MACCE). Yesterday, MACCE released the findings of their recent survey of businesses across the state on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Mills Administration's four-stage plan to gradually reopen Maine's economy. A total of 1,467 businesses responded to the "Re-starting Maine's Economy" survey, conducted online the first week of May. The findings show the impact the pandemic is having on Maine's economy and businesses, and provide an important benchmark for measuring and evaluating Maine's comeback in the months ahead.

 

Mills Administration Allows Lodging Reservations For Future Stays

Department of Economic and Community Development also posts additional COVID-19 Prevention Checklists to help businesses prepare for Stage 2 & FAQs to answer common questions

The Mills Administration announced that, effective immediately, Maine lodging providers can begin accepting future reservations for stays with an arrival date of June 1st and beyond for Maine residents and for non-residents who comply with the State's 14-day quarantine requirement. A previous Executive Order prohibited such reservations. The change comes amid ongoing collaboration between the Mills Administration and Maine's tourism and hospitality sectors to identify innovative and practical solutions to welcome visitors while protecting the health of Maine people and the health of Maine's economy.

 

With today's announcement, lodging establishments may immediately begin accepting reservations from Maine residents and non-residents for stays beginning on June 1st in line with the parameters established under the Restarting Maine's Economy plan. However, lodging establishments that accept reservations must be prepared to cancel and fully refund reservations if these establishments cannot be reopened under Stage 2 as tentatively planned.

 

Further, the Department of Economic and Community Development today released additional COVID-19 Prevention Checklists for Stage 2 businesses tentatively slated to open in June under the Restarting Maine's Economy Plan. The checklists, which provide health and safety guidance that businesses must commit to complying with in order to reopen, for lodging, campgrounds, and nail salons have been posted. The Department plans to post the remaining Checklists on large gatherings, religious gatherings, public/community buildings, fitness centers/gyms, tanning salons, day camps, and overnight camps, as well as links to guidance on non-professional sports on May 20.

 

The Department, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services, also released a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document in an effort to help provide answers to some common questions.

 

To reserve your banner ad in the Daily Impact, please contact Melody Rousseau
by emailing
melodyr@mainechamber.org, or by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 102.

 

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Launches New Digital Resources Center to Help Businesses Reopen Safely and Sustainably

Resources include employee screening questionnaire, small business reopening playbook, sector-specific guidance, and state-specific guidance

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today launched a new digital resources center with tools and guidance to help employers reopen their businesses safely and sustainably while keeping their employees and customers healthy and informed amid the coronavirus pandemic. Part of the U.S. Chamber's Path Forward initiative, the resources center includes several new resources for business owners across America as they prepare to return to work, including:

 

1 Employee Screening Questionnaire: The new six-question sample questionnaire represents a consolidation of questions required or recommended by states' employee screening guidance as well as input from member companies of all sizes and sectors participating in the Chamber's Return to Work Task Force. It includes questions to ask employees when they initially return to work as well as questions to ask employees weekly and daily.

 

2 Small Business Reopening Playbook: The new four-page guide includes seven steps to help small business reopen as restrictions are lifted across the country and Americans prepare for a "new normal."

 

3 Compilation of Industry-Specific Guides: The reopening process will vary by sector. From restaurants and retailers to hair salons and gyms, the site includes eight sector-specific guides from some of the nation's leading industry associations and government sources. More will be added as they become available.

 

4 State-Specific Health Guidelines: The resources center also features an interactive map and state-specific information to help businesses navigate different public health guidelines across state lines.

 

"Americans are eager to get back to work as soon as it's safe to do so - to earn a paycheck and continue to support their families," said Suzanne Clark, president, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "Any return to work must prioritize the health and safety of employees and consumers, and business owners across America need clear guidance at the federal, state, and local level on how to reopen their businesses safely and sustainable. The Chamber's new resource center will help businesses as they prepare for a new normal, and how our nation's public and private sectors manage this transition will determine how quickly we can stage an economic comeback."

 

The U.S. Chamber will routinely update these resources as additional guidance and information become available. Visit https://www.uschamber.com/reopening-business for the latest information.

 

Unemployment Benefits Not Charged to Employers' Experience Rating If Direct Result of COVID-19

The Maine Department of Labor wants to remind Maine employers that under legislation enacted in response to the civil emergency declaration by Governor Janet Mills on March 15, 2020, temporary modifications of unemployment insurance provisions were put in place that included the non-charging of individual employer experience rates for COVID-related benefit charges between March 15, 2020, through 30 days beyond the end of the civil emergency declaration.

 

This is currently in place through June 30, 2020, unless the civil emergency declaration in Maine is extended. In the Department's efforts to quickly implement the new, federal unemployment benefit programs, not all agency forms (including those which reference potential charge information) have been updated yet to reflect the emergency non-charging of experience rating provision. However, employers' individual experience ratings will not be affected by benefit charges during this period.

 

Today's Bottom Line Podcast With Special Guest, Kurt Adams

Kurt W. Adams, President & CEO of Summit Utilities, Inc., was this week's special guest on The Bottom Line podcast on Thursday, May 14. Mr. Adams joined The Bottom Line co-hosts Dana Connors of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and John Williams of Williams Broadcasting to discuss how an essential Maine business is operating safely during the COVID-19 environment.

 

To listen to The Bottom Line, catch up with the archived shows on our website.

 

Final Virtual National Small Business Town Hall | Friday, May 15 at Noon

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, small businesses are looking for the strategies and lifelines they need to survive and succeed. What programs are still available to struggling businesses? How can entrepreneurs adjust their models to continue operating through this economic pause? And what should business owners do now to prepare for the eventual reopening of the economy?

 

Tomorrow, May 15 at noon, a panel of experts will join U.S. Chamber Chief Policy Officer Neil Bradley and Inc. Editor-At-Large Kimberly Weisul to answer your questions and offer advice as your navigate this pandemic, stay afloat, and plan your safe return to work. Register here.

 

Want to catch up on last week's program? Watch here. For any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to mailto:COEvents@uschamber.com.

 

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.

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.

NEXT WEEK!

 

Portland Area

Monday, May 18

Register here

NEXT WEEK!

 

Lewiston Area

Tuesday, May 19

Register here

Bangor Area

Thursday, May 21

with the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce

Register here

Presque Isle Area

Thursday, May 28

 

Register here

 

Use the Maine State Chamber's blog and Daily Impact to tell your story!

Numerous Maine companies are 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 communitys 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.

 

SAVE THE DATE!

2020 Maine State Chamber Health Care Reform

Wednesday, May 27 | 10:00 to 11:15 a.m.

A confirmation of event details will be available shortly. The 2020 Maine State Chamber Health Care Forum will focus on the changing nature of coverage in Maine; both through legislation and through innovation. The program will be virtual, and roughly an hour in length. We will begin with a presentation by Denise McDonough, President of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine. Her presentation will focus on innovation in the marketplace, and cost saving initiatives being undertaken by Anthem. After that, there will be a panel discussion that includes Kristine Ossenfort, Senior Government Relations Director at Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine, and the Maine Superintendent of Insurance Eric Cioppa, to discuss the legislative events of this past session, and the policy changes that were enacted by lawmakers that are likely to impact the individual and small group markets, both in terms of policies, coverage and price. Join us for what promises to be an interesting and informative session.

 

 

To join these advertisers in the Daily Impact, please contact Melody Rousseau
by emailing
melodyr@mainechamber.org, or by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 102.

 

TO UNSUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE.

NOTICE: In an ongoing effort to thwart the activities of online hackers, the Maine State Chamber
has researched and tested the links in this document and determined that they are safe.

 

Copyright Maine State Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved.
 128 State Street | Suite 101 | Augusta, ME 04330-5630
 Phone: (207) 623-4568
For media inquiries, please contact Jen Webber, (207) 939-0213
For membership inquiries, please contact Mark Ellis. (207) 623-4568
  • About Us
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    • Find Your Legislator >
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  • Events
    • Calendar of Events
    • 2022 Annual Meeting
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Business Day at the Statehouse
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    • DC Fly-In
    • Legislative Social
    • Policy Issues Workshops
    • Regional Breakfasts
    • Scramble for Scholars
    • Webinars by The Maine State Chamber of Commerce
  • Initiatives
    • Campus Career Connect
    • Dream It. Do It.
    • Education Foundation
    • Keep Maine Competitive
    • Maine Economic Research Institute (MERI)
    • This is ME Counting on You
    • Senior Leaders of Tomorrow Development Program
  • Newsroom
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Impact Newsletter
    • MSCC Blog
    • The Bottom Line
    • The Maine Take
    • Making Maine Work
    • MERI Roll Call
    • OneVoice Maine Magazine
    • Policy Brief Series with Educate Maine
    • Press Kit
  • Member Login