The COVID-19 Edition for Thurs., July 2, 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!

 

 

This is ME Counting on You | Staying the Course on Safe Practices
In May, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce launched "This is ME Counting on You," a public awareness campaign encouraging Mainers to do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19. The initiative aims to reinforce the message that following recommended health and safety guidelines, such as wearing a mask and practicing social distancing, will help make sure Maine reopens safely and successfully. We are all counting on each other to act responsibly so Maine can get back to business, Maine people can get back to work, and Maine's economic recovery can move forward.
As businesses across Maine are reopening, and summer and the July 4 holiday are upon us, we want to first, send wishes for a Happy 4th of July celebration with family and friends. Second, we want to emphasize that staying the course on recommended health and safety protocols is just as important now as when we launched "This is ME Counting on You." All of us -- Maine residents and visitors alike -- are in the fight against COVID-19 together, with the common goal of preventing a public health or economic setback.   We know Maine businesses take very seriously their role in keeping their employees and customers safe and preventing the spread or a resurgence of COVID-19. Based on a recent survey conducted by the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber (SMMC) to provide business owners with insights into what consumers value in terms of safety practices related to COVID-19, most consumers take safety measures seriously, too. With nearly 3,000 respondents, SMMC executive director Cory King concluded, "Social distancing is good business, but we didn't know how impactful until this survey." He added, "It's not absolute - no survey is - but clearly 40-65% of Maine consumers factor social distancing and masking into their business patronage decisions."   We continue to share safe practice reminders and spread the "This is ME Counting on You" message through the initiative's PSA that is airing on cable television and Maine Public stations across Maine. The website, www.MeCountingOnYou.org, has updated resources, including floor stickers available to businesses upon request, and printable posters for employers to place in their establishments to help provide reminders for employees, customers, and visitors to practice safe behavior. "This is ME Counting on You" is also on Facebook. We hope businesses across Maine will share photos of the floor stickers and posters in their workplaces with us on Facebook, along with messages of safe practices, using the hashtag #MECountingOnYou.   We are all in this together and counting on each other to continue acting safely and responsibly. That is the best way we can support one another, our communities, and Maine businesses as they reopen. It is the surest way to ensure Maine's economic recovery.   As always, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce is here to serve Maine's business community, and never more so than during these challenging times.   Thank you and Happy Independence Day!

 

Recovery Committee Urges Immediate Action to Save Maine's Economy

According to an article in Mainebiz, a preliminary report from the Economic Recovery Committee indicates Maine is teetering on an economic cliff, and it's urgent that the state take action as soon as possible. Three immediate issues to address are education support, a $300 million immediate direct economic relief program, and broadband investment, committee chairs Josh Broder and Laurie Lachance wrote in a letter to Gov. Janet Mills accompanying the report. The committee also offered more than a dozen "quick start" suggestions.   The committee was established by Mills in early May, with Broder, CEO of Tilson, and Lachance, president of Thomas College, as chairs. It must submit "quick start" recommendations to help Maine's economy by July 15, and long-term recommendations by Dec. 1. The preliminary report, published today, was in anticipation of a more detailed July 15 report. The committee, made up of 47 business and government leaders from around the state, has held seven full meetings and more than 50 subcommittee meetings.   This week, the end of the federal Payroll Protection Program and other economic support "represents an economic cliff for our state, and nation, for which there is no modern precedent or forecast," Lachance and Broder noted. "Unless further stimulus emerges at the federal level the effect on our state's people and businesses will be devastating." They said that the $1.25 billion the state has been awarded under the federal CARES Act is not enough to save Maine's economy, which means tough decisions for the state.

 

 

Maine Anticipates Slow Recovery From Coronavirus-Induced Recession

According to a recent Bangor Daily News article, Maine economic forecasters on Wednesday projected a slow recovery from a coronavirus-induced recession that has hit the state's tourism-dependent labor force harder than most other states. The Consensus Economic Forecasting Commission was charged by Gov. Janet Mills to revise a rosy February forecast after it became apparent that the virus would devastate employment and state revenue. Its July report says the economy will slowly rebound over the next two years, assuming new cases are effectively managed and that more federal aid comes. Those expectations are tempered with uncertainty of a vaccine and the possibility of a second wave. Workforce recovery could be hamstrung if parents are forced to stay home due to schools not reopening or scarce childcare.   The damage peaked in the April state revenues, with businesses reporting an overall 25 percent decline in taxable sales. Restaurants and lodging were hit hardest with year-over-year declines of 58 percent and 80 percent, respectively. The employment outlook was grim. The commission said the real unemployment rate in the state is around 18 percent, contrasting with the official rate of 9.3 percent because fewer unemployed people are counted. Employment in Maine is expected to remain lower than it was entering the recession into 2022, when forecasters said there will be more than 15,000 fewer jobs in Maine then than there were in 2019, not counting a pool of workers that includes self-employed people and farm workers. Wages and salaries are expected to decrease by 5 percent this year, rather than increase by 4.1 percent. They will grow by 2 percent in 2021, down from an anticipated 3.7 percent.  Further economic projections are coming. Mills' economic recovery committee plans to have its initial mapping of how to get the state back on her 10-year economic plan by mid-July. The state's revenue forecasting commission is expected to have a report this summer. And a revised look at the out years, as well as a new stress test, is anticipated from the economic forecasting commission in October.

 

Maine's Primary Election is July 14	Request Your Absentee Ballot HERE * Your Vote is Needed to Strengthen Maine's Economy *
Before each election, the Secretary of State's office provides information about the questions appearing on each ballot. Currently two referendum questions will appear on the July 14, 2020, Special Referendum Election Ballot. Each question is discussed in detail in the Maine Citizen's Guide to the Referendum Election (PDF / Word) and a Treasurer's Statement, which includes the referendum questions; the legislation each question represents; a summary of the intent and content of the legislation; an explanation of the significance of a "yes" or "no" vote; an analysis of the debt service on the bond issues; and, an estimate of the fiscal impact of each referendum question on state revenues, appropriations and allocations.
Question 1: Bond Issue   Do you favor a $15,000,000 bond issue to invest in high-speed internet infrastructure for unserved and underserved areas, to be used to match up to $30,000,000 in federal, private, local or other funds?	Question 2: Bond Issue   Do you favor a $105,000,000 bond issue for improvement of highways and bridges statewide and for multimodal facilities or equipment related to transit, freight and passenger railroads, aviation, ports, harbors, marine transportation and active transportation projects, to be used to match an estimated $275,000,000 in federal and other funds?
A YES vote on Questions 1 and 2 - expanding broadband and investing in transportation improvements - will help us get there!

 

Understanding Communications: Messages That Connect During Covid Times   Tuesday, July 14, 2020 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  Register here
In this webinar, we will discuss how messages and marketing need to change in order to successfully connect with target audiences. We'll look at how brain chemistry influences decision making and simple but effective ways to communicate. Hosted by: Maine State Chamber of Commerce | Presented by: Paula Mahony, President & Chief Strategist, Words@Work
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.

 

Claims for Unemployment Compensation, Week Ending June 27

On July 2, the Maine Department of Labor reported that, for the week ending June 27, the Department recorded about 3,000 initial claims filed for state unemployment insurance, and an additional 2,200 initial claims filed for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). These claims represent about 4,100 individuals filing an initial claim. About 62,300 weekly certifications, or continued claims, were filed last week for state unemployment. In addition, about 28,000 weekly certifications were filed under PUA. Weekly certifications must be filed by claimants every week in order to continue to receive unemployment benefits. Data is preliminary and subject to revision.   Between March 15 and June 27, the Maine Department of Labor has seen about 165,000 initial claims for the state unemployment program and 74,600 initial claims for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. There have been over 1.4 million weekly certifications filed, and the Department has paid out more than $957 million in federal and state unemployment benefits. Total benefits to Maine workers delivered by the Department during the pandemic are expected to surpass $1 billion within the next week.   The Maine Department of Labor continues its careful review of all claims as it investigates unemployment imposter fraud. Unemployment imposter fraud is when a person's Personally Identifiable Information, or PII, is stolen and used illegally to apply for unemployment benefits. Maine is one of many U.S. states working in close collaboration with state and federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies to investigate and prevent it.

 

Maine Department of Labor Announces 13 Additional Weeks of Unemployment Benefits Available

Maine people receiving unemployment benefits are now eligible to receive 13 additional weeks of payments, if they exhaust their initial 26-week benefit period. This expansion of support is through the third and final new federal unemployment insurance program, Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), which the Maine Department of Labor implemented. Those who had already exhausted their benefits and were waiting for PEUC to be implemented were temporarily being paid benefits through another federal program, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, and will now be automatically enrolled in PEUC.   The Department reminds all claimants to report any earnings they make in their weekly certification. If they are making partial earnings, the Department has a video that explains how to report those earnings.   Employers are also encouraged to explore the WorkShare program, which helps businesses retain their workforce during temporary slowdown in work. The program allows employers to voluntarily reduce the hours of staff in lieu of layoffs. Under WorkShare, employees may collect a partial unemployment benefit (including the extra federal $600 through July 25) to help them offset the loss of income.

 

Thursday, July 9 | The Bottom Line Podcast
with Mark McInerney of the Center for Workforce Research and Information
	Mark McInerney, director of the Center for Workforce Research and Information (CWRI) at the Maine Department of Labor, will be next week's special guest on The Bottom Line podcast. He joins The Bottom Line co-hosts Dana Connors of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and John Williams of Williams Broadcasting to discuss the work of the CWRI during the COVID-19 pandemic as it provides state and area labor market information to employers, job seekers, and others.   To listen live, please visit Williams Broadcasting and scroll down to "Listen Online" at the bottom of the homepage. To listen to the archived recordings, please visit The Bottom Line page on the Maine State Chamber's website. In addition, The Bottom Line podcast can be heard on iTunes, iHeart Radio, Soundcloud, Stitcher Radio, Spotify and radio.com.

 

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.

 

Northeast Delta Dental offers $27 million in COVID-19 Relief Support
Northeast Delta Dental's ongoing support of businesses and nonprofits negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic is primarily focused on advancing the oral health and overall wellness of its customers and the public. President & CEO, Tom Raffio, said, "We're committed to thoughtfully and methodically providing forms of relief to our stakeholders and our communities that would be most beneficial to them, with their safety and health uppermost in our considerations. None of the related costs were passed along to them."   Northeast Delta Dental will provide relief totaling $18.8 million in returned and reduced premiums to individual and group customers by: extending rate holds for fully insured individual and group customers renewing July through December, 2020; crediting all fully insured individual and group customers with a one-month dental premium in July based on June's billed amount; and crediting all self-insured group customers for the July administrative fee. It will help the producers and consultants who market its dental insurance by providing relief payments totaling $700,000 for the premium/administrative credit period based on commissions paid for the previous month.
Early in the crisis, Northeast Delta Dental also provided two forms of financial relief totaling $4.3 million to its participating dentists, one based on procedures performed by network dentists and oral surgeons in 2019, the other on procedures performed from mid-February to mid-March, 2020. The closing of dental offices constricted the ability of patients to receive non-emergency dental procedures. To aid reopening dental offices in ensuring the safety of their staff and patients, Northeast Delta Dental invested an additional $2.7 million. With those funds more than 120,000 KN95 masks were purchased and made available to network dentists and oral surgeons. In many cases, these were personally hand-delivered by board members and employees. Also, included is a $10 reimbursement per visit to cover the cost of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the months of May and June.   To meet critical needs created by the COVID-19 crisis, in early March Northeast Delta Dental committed $500,000 to help organizations needing assistance. It also empowered 20 oral health programs in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont to use the more than $170,000 in grants awarded to them by the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation for challenges relating to COVID-19, if needed, rather than the oral health needs described in their applications.   The Company is also honoring the many commitments it made to sponsor events, some of which were in the planning process when the ability to hold events became prohibitive. This was accomplished by Northeast Delta Dental providing funds directly to the organizations the fundraisers benefit.

 

University of Maine System Commits to Being Together for Maine this Fall

Chancellor Malloy, UMS University Presidents and Dean of Maine Law unveil unifying principles universities will be using to start on-campus instruction August 31 as scheduled

Chancellor Dannel Malloy, Maine's public university presidents, and the dean of Maine Law have adopted a set of unifying safe return and learning principles that will be used in campus-specific plans to bring students, faculty, and staff back to campus for face-to-face instruction starting on Aug. 31, the beginning of the fall 2020 semester. The release of Together for Maine: Principles for a Safe Return kicks off a cascade of student and community messaging at the universities to keep stakeholders informed of campus-specific plans and updates over the summer.   The key elements of the principles include screening strategies to identify and isolate infection at the start of the semester, and a commitment to stay safe and together during the semester with science-based practices aligned with guidance from public health authorities and the UMS Scientific Advisory Board, chaired by University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. The universities will end in-person instruction and ask students to depart residence halls before the start of the Thanksgiving holiday, with plans to complete the final two weeks of instruction and exams remotely to help limit travel-related spread of infection.    The University of Maine System will continue to monitor the public health situation, following civil guidance and adjusting plans if necessary to protect student and community health. The System launched together.maine.edu to provide links to campus-specific return plans, and to archive and issue new guidance related to the UMS response to COVID-19.     For more information on the University of Maine System's leadership in response to the COVID-19 pandemic visit this infographic and read President Ferrini-Mundy's recent column on 100 days of pandemic response.

 

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 advertise in the COVID-19 Impact, please contact Melody Rousseau by emailing melodyr@mainechamber.org, or by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 102.
		Thank you for doing your part!

 

 

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