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The COVID-19 Edition for Thursday, June 11, 2020

To view this edition of Impact online, click here.

 

 

Welcome to your COVID-19 Impact newsletter!

As a valued member of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, we plan to stay in touch with you several times each week 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!

 

 

Maine Department of Labor's Unemployment Compensation Claims for the Week Ending June 6, Continues Fraud Investigations

According to today's Bangor Daily News, the state's new jobless claims last week fell to their lowest level since the coronavirus outbreak began in Maine back in March. In a recent press release, the Maine Department of Labor recorded approximately 3,000 initial claims filed for state unemployment insurance and an additional 3,700 initial claims filed for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for the week ending June 6. These claims represent nearly 5,400 individuals filing an initial claim.

 

Nearly 77,700 weekly certifications, or continued claims, were filed last week for state unemployment. In addition, almost 23,300 weekly certifications were filed under PUA. Weekly certifications must be filed by claimants every week in order to continue to receive unemployment benefits. Since March 15, the Department has paid out more than $720 million in unemployment benefits.

 

As part of its continuing investigation into organized criminal unemployment imposter fraud, the Maine Department of Labor has cancelled more than 12,000 initial claims and 16,800 weekly certifications that were suspected to be fraudulent, during the week ending May 30. The Department has received about 10,000 reports of potential unemployment imposter fraud so far that are under investigation. Some reports could be duplicates, if both the claimant and their employer reported the same instance of fraud.

 

State, Local Government Offices Begin To Reopen; Downeaster Is Moving Again

Today, Mainebiz reported that as public health restrictions are lifted and Maine businesses gradually reopen, government offices and transportation infrastructure are also beginning to resume regular operations. In keeping with the reopening schedule ordered by Gov. Janet Mills, the state Department of Health and Human Services and its 16 regional offices have returned to normal business hours, according to a news release. Maine's three largest municipalities - Portland, Lewiston, and Bangor - are also reopening their doors.

 

The article went on to say that Amtrak Downeaster passenger rail service in Maine will start up again on a limited basis Monday, June 15. The train will run one daily round trip between Brunswick and Boston, according to a recent news release. Downeaster service has been suspended since April 13.

 

Legislature 'Close' To Reconvening, Top Maine Democrat Says

Today, the Bangor Daily News reported that Maine Senate President Troy Jackson said "we're getting close" to the point where state lawmakers may reconvene, three months after they adjourned and gave Democratic Gov. Janet Mills broad emergency powers to address the pandemic.

 

   

 

Thank you for doing your part!

 

To reserve your banner ad in the COVID-19 Impact, please contact Melody Rousseau
by emailing
melodyr@mainechamber.org, or by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 102.

 

Governor Mills Renews State of Civil Emergency For 30 Days As Maine Reopens, Continues to Combat COVID-19

As the State continues to respond to COVID-19, Governor Janet Mills extended the State of Civil Emergency yesterday for thirty days through July 10, 2020. According to the National Governors Association, nearly every state in the nation has ongoing emergency declarations. Last Friday, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu renewed his State of Emergency as well. This will be Governor Mills' third extension of the State of Civil Emergency. Under Maine law, State of Civil Emergency Proclamations may only be issued in thirty day increments. A State of Civil Emergency allows the State to continue to draw down critical Federal resources and to deploy all available resources to respond to COVID-19.

 

A Call to Action | Join the "Work With ME" Campaign!

One week ago, we sent out a notification to our Board of Directors about an initiative, called "Work with Maine," that recently went live and is being spearheaded by Chamber Board member, Peter Connell. As you are well aware, tourism is the backbone of Maine's economy. In 2018, Maine's hospitality sector had a statewide economic contribution, including multiplier effects, of an estimated $6.9 billion in output, 79,000 full- and part-time jobs, and $2.2 billion in labor income, according to a study released last fall. This is all at risk if we don't act now.

 

With Governor Mills' 14-day quarantine, and then her administration's replacement plan, which forces out-of-state travelers to either quarantine or obtain and prove that they have received a negative COVID-19 test within a 72 hour window prior to traveling to Maine, our tourism industry is being crippled. We need your help!

We receive numerous calls on a daily basis from business members, and out-of-state tourists alike, telling us how unworkable this plan is. As a gentleman from Massachusetts said yesterday, "We have been looking forward to traveling to Maine all year. With these restrictions in place, I don't see any possible way that we can make it to Maine."

He went on to explain that testing is limited where he is located. He planned to travel to Maine during the July 4th weekend and questioned whether testing would even be available prior to a holiday. This gentleman ended our conversation yesterday by thanking us for our help in providing information and stating that perhaps this year they would need to visit Vermont or someplace that allows easier travel. This has been the common theme over past weeks and months.

Unfortunately, this plan does not work for Maine and it does not work for our out of state tourists. Please, we urge you to join us in telling the Governor and her Administration that this plan does not work for Maine. Together, our voices will be louder.

TAKE ACTION! "Work with ME" is looking for the support of Maine's people. Please visit www.WorkWithMaine.com today to review their plan and add your voice to this coalition, and like/follow their Facebook page for updates.

 

Join the "Yes on 1 - Better Internet For Maine" Campaign

A diverse and widespread campaign coalition has come together to form the "Yes  on 1 - Better Internet For Maine" Campaign. You and your organization represent a critical voice in Maine. Please consider ​signing on to the letter here to show your support for Question 1.

 

Additionally, if you are able, the coalition asks that you: 

* Please share the opportunity to support the campaign with your members;

* Join us at a virtual campaign event;

* Share your support for Question 1 via newsletters, social media and letters to local publications. If you can, share the campaign website, ​https://betterinternetformaine.org/. Please let us know if we can help.

* Please ​consider a tax deductible donation​ to the campaign to help amplify the message that Maine needs better internet now - and in the future.

 

How we connect with each other matters. Let's ensure a better future - now.  For questions or more information, please contact Andrew Butcher and Nick Battista on behalf of the ​Maine Broadband Coalition.

 

The Bottom Line Podcast | Thursday, June 11

with Dan Belyea, Chief Workforce Development Officer
for the Maine Community College System

Dan Belyea, chief workforce development officer for the Maine Community College System, was this week's special guest on The Bottom Line podcast. He joined The Bottom Line co-hosts Dana Connors of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and John Williams of Williams Broadcasting to discuss the Hospitality Maine Covid19 Restaurant Readiness Course, a micro-credential certification created in conjunction with Eastern Maine Community College and designed to support the State of Maine's Prevention Checklist for Restaurants. The course provides fundamental information needed to help keep employees safe and empower them to mentor and inform guests so they also follow the best practices.

 

To listen to the recording, please visit The Bottom Line page on the Maine State Chamber's website.

 

Collins, King Announce Funding to Expand Telehealth Services Across Maine

On Wednesday, June 10, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) announced that the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) COVID-19 Telehealth Program has awarded $516,160 to two health centers to improve and expand telehealth services. Specifically, the FCC has awarded $270,172 to Central Maine Medical Center and $245,988 to Portland Community Health Center to upgrade technology at each facility and improve remote health care access for Maine people.

 

Senator Collins Presses Treasury Secretary to Allow Small Businesses to Apply for a Second PPP Loan

At the invitation of the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, U.S. Senator Susan Collins attended a hearing yesterday on the Paycheck Protection Program. Senator Collins raised the issue of small businesses reaching the end of their eight-week loan period and urged Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to support a second round of forgivable PPP loans for industries that have been particularly hard-hit by COVID-19. She also received clarification from Secretary Mnuchin on when small businesses can begin applying for loan forgiveness.

 

Senator Collins noted that there is approximately $130 billion in unused PPP funds. She asked Secretary Mnuchin whether he would "support allowing small borrowers in heavily-affected sectors such as the tourism industry that cannot fully reopen because of state restrictions to seek additional PPP funds - apply again, or extend perhaps for another four weeks - so that they can just make it through this period where they're forced to be closed, because they are viable businesses."

 

Bipartisan House Lawmakers Push Senators to Pass Golden's SBDC Legislation, Help Small Businesses through COVID-19 Recession

Maine SBDCs have served more than 1,300 small businesses during COVID-19

As Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) report record demand for their no-cost business advising and training services during the COVID-19 pandemic, Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) and a bipartisan group of lawmakers on the House Small Business Committee called on Senate committee leaders yesterday to pass the Small Business Development Centers Improvement Act. Introduced and passed through the House by Golden last year with a large bipartisan majority, the bill would bring SBDC services to more small businesses by reauthorizing the program, expanding available funding for the centers, and allowing SBDCs to market and promote their services. Golden's bill would reauthorize the SBDC program and increase the funds available for the program by $40 million to $175 million per year. The legislation also makes important changes to the SBDC program itself, including allowing SBDCs to market their services in their communities and broaden their reach to more small businesses.

 

Webinar on WorkShare:

An Alternative to Layoffs

 

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

 

2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The next presentation in our webinar series explores how employers may be able to avoid layoffs by choosing the WorkShare alternative. In lieu of a layoff, employers can temporarily reduce work hours in a particular unit, shift or company from 10% to 50%. To help offset the loss of hours, the affected workers can receive a modified weekly unemployment benefit. Join us to learn more about this program and how it might work for your business. Our presenters for this webinar are Commissioner Laura Fortman and Deputy Commissioner Kim Smith of the Maine Department of Labor.

 

An Employer's Guide
to COVID-Related
Return-to-Work Issues

 

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

 

11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

 

 

Maine employers have been faced with many challenging issues from the COVID public health emergency. In this webinar, we now turn our focus to the return-to-work phase, which raises many employment-related concerns, such as properly preparing the workplace for the new reality under OSHA and CDC recommendations, determining how employee recalls will work, ongoing unemployment, accommodation claims and disability related issues, potential other leave application, and similar topics. This session will navigate these and other related issues and provide an opportunity for questions. Hosted by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, our presenter for this webinar is Anne-Marie Storey, partner at Rudman Winchell.

 

WEBINAR 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.

 

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.

 

Hey, If You Can Work From Anywhere, Why Not Maine?

There's no doubt about it: COVID-19 has accelerated the transition to remote working, and it's here to stay. As people all over the world are given the option to work from anywhere, we think Maine has a great case to make for why they should bring their careers, income, families, and cultural diversity here to Vacationland.

 

Our colleagues at Live + Work in Maine are circulating a survey to gather data and stories about what it's like to live and work [remotely] in Maine. It's part of a larger effort to learn more about how people think/feel about working-in-place, and will also inform marketing campaigns aimed at encouraging people to move here.

 

Please fill out Live + Work in Maine's survey using the link above; it closes on Friday, June 12! Feel free to share with your employees and partners.

 

Providing Books to Maine Students

Maine educators were recently surveyed about critical needs of their students. Books were highlighted as a top priority for students of all ages. Supporting reading is essential for students to continue to thrive in schools. Making certain that our students, particularly our youngest readers, have easy access to books during the end of the school year and throughout the summer is crucial for preventing summer slide.

 

Even with yeoman-like efforts by Maine teachers and a hands-on approach from the Maine Department of Education to ensure all Maine students have been able to continue learning remotely during the pandemic, we know that learning over these past few months has inevitably been disrupted. In addition to the school year disruption, student achievement often widens during the summer, an outcome referred to as summer slide. Summer slide accounts for as much as 85 percent of the reading achievement gap between lower income students and their middle- and upper-income peers. Providing students with appropriate books will help address this challenge. Not only does summer reading enable students to continue practicing foundational skills, but it opens the world to students through stories and knowledge building around topics of interest. We need your help to ensure students across our 16 counties have access to books, an essential commodity.

 

Here are a few ways you can support Maine students:

 

1 2020 Maine Books Challenge: Educate Maine is leading this initiative to provide students with books while supporting local bookstores. You can purchase an online or physical gift card at one of Maine's independent bookstores. Every $10 donation provides a book for a Maine student. Every donation will be matched by the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein up to $5,000. Teachers across Maine will help coordinate book distribution to students. If interested in supporting this effort, please email Katherine at katherine@educatemaine.org.

 

2 Scholastic Books: This company has offered significant discounts to help get books to Maine students. For example, a $1,000 donation can support 300 books for 100 students. A $5,000 donation can support 1,500 books for 500 students. If interested in supporting this effort, please email Megan Diver at mdiver@mainechamber.org.

 

3 Community Book Donations: Gently used books are also needed across Maine. We are seeking community drop off spots at local employers throughout the 16 counties. If your business is interested in becoming a location for books to be collected, please email Megan Diver at mdiver@mainechamber.org.

 

Books will be distributed to students directly through their schools and at local meal sites throughout the summer. Additional information about summer literacy initiatives can be found here. Thank you for supporting Maine students.

 

 

To join these advertisers in the COVID-19 Impact, please contact Melody Rousseau
by emailing
melodyr@mainechamber.org, or by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 102.

 

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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
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    • Meet the Team
    • President's Message
    • External Social Media Policy
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    • Join the Chamber
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    • Grassroot Resources
    • Find Your Legislator >
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  • Events
    • Calendar of Events
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    • 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
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