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The Daily Edition for Friday, May 15, 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!

 

 

Economic Recovery Committee Will Be Bridge To Rebuilding Economy, Members Told

According to an article in today's Mainebiz, the new Economic Recovery Committee will be a bridge between the economic emergency caused by the pandemic and and Maine's long-term economic renewal, Gov. Janet Mills told members at the group's inaugural meeting Friday morning.

 

Meeting via Zoom, aside from the 40-member committee, an additional 16 panelists and 126 other attendees joined. Mills announced the commitee May 7, drawing members from across sectors and industries in the state. This morning she told the committee the focus is on what happens once the immediate crisis is over, using the state's 10-year economic plan her administration unveiled in December as a guide.

 

The first meeting was an introductory one, where co-chairs Laurie Lachance, president of Thomas College, and Josh Broder, of Tilson, talked about the committee's charge, and Heather Johnson, commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development, gave members an outline of what will be considered. Broder and Lachance, while stressing the dire economic situation, also said they believe Maine is up to the task. Broder cited the state's history of innovation, while Lachance said its reputation for "Yankee ingenuity" will help.

 

Maine State Chamber President Dana Connors serves on the 40-member committee, which has been split into six subcommittees. The subcommittees are:

* Manufacturing and natural resources, chaired by Larry Shaw, CEO of MMG insurance;

* Hospitality, tourism and retail, chaired by Bob Montgomery-Rice, CEO and president of Bangor Savings Bank;

* Education and workforce, chaired by Jim Herbert, president, University of New England;

* Infrastructure, chaired by Susan Corbett, founder and director, National Digital Equity Center;

* Innovation, chaired by Betsy Biemann, CEO of Coastal Enterprises Inc.; and

* Health care, nonprofits and child care, chaired by Bill Burke, chair, MaineHealth Board of Trustees.

 

The committees will look at barriers to success for their sectors, what's stopping people and organizations from reengaging in a productive way with the economy, and identify opportunities for each sector to get back on the growth path. They'll also look at innovation opportunities and resources that are available.

 

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

 

Mills Administration Secures WiFi & Learning Devices for 100 Percent of Maine Students Reporting a Need In Face of COVID-19's Impacts on Schools

Governor Janet Mills and Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin announced today that the Maine Department of Education has secured internet access and devices to facilitate at-home learning for 100 percent of Maine school children for whom there was a reported need. The success comes as Maine educators have demonstrated extraordinary commitment and creativity in response to the suspension of classroom-based instruction as a result of COVID-19, providing invaluable and meaningful personal connection and assurance to students in a time of great uncertainty. However, it is still difficult for educators to offer equitable online learning opportunities without individual student internet access.

 

Through a combined effort with the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, ConnectME, and business and philanthropic entities, the Maine Department of Education (Maine DOE) has acquired 14,494 service contracts through three different service providers, nearly all of which are for WiFi-enabled Samsung Galaxy Tablets that can be used as learning tools and hotspots or hotspots only. Through one of the service providers, DOE was also able to order MiFi, a wireless router that acts as a mobile WiFi hotspot, to fulfill internet-only needs. To fulfill the device-only needs, Maine DOE was able to order 7,450 Chromebooks.

 

The Administration utilized federal funds, including a portion of Maine's $9.3 million allocation from the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund, which was allocated through the federal CARES Act, as well as philanthropic donations, to purchase the devices and wireless service contracts to meet the identified need for universal connectivity for Maine students.

 

DOL Releases Claims for Unemployment Compensation, Week Ending May 9

The Maine Department of Labor reported yesterday that a total of about 21,000 unemployment initial claims were filed in the week ending May 9, down from 26,600 the prior week. About 11,500 of those claims are identified as Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program claims. In order to receive PUA, claimants must not be eligible for regular state unemployment benefits. In order to meet these requirements and ensure individuals receive benefits, some individuals have their application processed twice, once for state unemployment eligibility and once for eligibility under federal PUA. The total number of initial claims filed through the state unemployment and through PUA is higher than the actual total number of individuals filing claims. MDOL will provide a more detailed breakdown in the coming weeks.

 

Approximately 87,000 weekly certifications, or continued claims, were filed last week for state unemployment, an increase of 10,700 over the previous week. In addition, 41,000 weekly certifications were filed under PUA, including for retroactive benefit weeks. Weekly certifications are the forms that must be filed by claimants every week in order to continue to receive unemployment benefits.

 

Since March 15, the Department has paid out over $400 million in unemployment benefits. Benefit payments are retroactive. The additional weekly $600 created by the new Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program is retroactive to the week ending April 4 and is available through July 25, 2020.

 

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.

 

Updates from the National Association of Manufacturers

Manufacturing-Specific Guidance: The CDC and OSHA have jointly released comprehensive manufacturing-specific guidance that details the steps companies need to take to protect their workforce. Securing these recommendations has been a top priority for manufacturers needing clarity on the best ways to keep their workers safe.

 

SBA Extends PPP Repayment Deadline: Yesterday, the Small Business Administration released new guidance on the Paycheck Protection Program's economic necessity certification requirement. To give businesses time to review the new guidance, the SBA has now extended the repayment deadline to Monday, May 18 for applicants who cannot certify their loans' economic necessity. For more information, take a look at questions 46 and 47 on the SBA's PPP FAQ document.

NAM Member Offers Best Practices for Facility Safety: This morning, NAM member Click Bond, Inc., presented at the spring meeting of the CDC/NIOSH Manufacturing Sector Council at the National Occupational Research Agenda on the company's strategies for containing COVID-19 at their facilities. The council brings together researchers, business and health experts to identify and implement strategies to increase workplace safety.

 

Maine manufacturers should visit NAM's Coronavirus site for the latest information, including operational guidance, policy plans and resources, and an updated breakdown of state and local orders. For ways to contribute to COVID-19 relief efforts, please email NAM's Response Team with any N95 or Tyvek suit donations.

 

Collins, King Join Bipartisan Push for Additional Support for Child Care Providers in Future COVID-19 Relief Legislation

Yesterday, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King joined a bipartisan group of 23 of their colleagues in urging Senate leadership to provide additional support for the child care sector in future COVID-19 relief legislation.

 

"In many states, child care providers have been forced to close their doors. Other child care providers are continuing to operate, despite financial losses, to provide support to parents, especially our essential workers," the Senators wrote. "As Congress considers the next round of relief legislation, we urge leadership to build on its efforts to provide more support for child care so we can effectively serve the needs of essential workers in the short term, and ensure that parents can return to work as our economy recovers."

 

Last month, Senators Collins and King announced nearly $11 million to the State of Maine to provide child care assistance for low-income families, health care sector employees, first responders, sanitation workers, and other workers deemed essential, and to support child care providers. This funding was authorized by the CARES Act.

 

King Updates New England Council Members on Ongoing Coronavirus Response Efforts

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) participated in a video call with New England Council (NEC) President and CEO James Brett and 150 NEC members. During the call, Senator King provided updates on federal coronavirus response efforts, took questions from the members, and discussed priorities that he would like to see in future coronavirus relief legislation, such as: substantial and additional aid to help state and local governments endure the economic impacts of the pandemic, funding for the U.S. Postal Service, and the importance of cybersecurity as the nation increases reliance upon distance learning, work from home, and telehealth.

 

Throughout the pandemic, Senator King has engaged with Maine people from all walks of life and helpful organizations to address questions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic and identify remaining work to be done. Since the Senate passed the CARES Act, he has participated in dozens of teleconferences and phone calls, including a few with Maine business leaders, hosted by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and local and regional chambers of commerce.

 

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 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.

 

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.

 

Maine State Chamber Webinar Series | Recordings and Recaps

 

SERIES SPONSORS: Bangor Savings Bank, Central Maine Power Company,
and Maine Department of Economic and Community Development

 

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.

 

 

Watch the recording here

 

Watch the recording here

 

Watch the recording here

 

Watch the recording here

 

Watch the recording here

 

 

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
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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
    • Connect with Us
    • Affiliates & Partners
    • Our Board
    • Meet the Team
    • President's Message
    • External Social Media Policy
  • Membership
    • Benefits of Membership
    • Join the Chamber
    • Return on Investment
    • Member Search
  • Public Policy
    • Public Hearings of Interest
    • Legislation of Interest
    • Public Policy Committees
    • Grassroot Resources
    • Find Your Legislator >
      • Representatives
      • Senators
  • Events
    • Calendar of Events
    • 2022 Annual Meeting
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Business Day at the Statehouse
    • Board Meetings & Board Events
    • 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