COVID-19 Business Resources. We’re here to help.
The Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce is committed to providing leadership, advocacy, and Member services to foster economic prosperity to our region during these uncertain times. We realize that the recent events regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic have created unprecedented circumstances. In light of this, we have taken precautionary measures as well as created resources and provided helpful information to help aid our business community. We are continuing to participate in discussions with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Pulaski County Government, The City of Somerset, the Kentucky Chamber, the local Somerset Health Department, and other key administrations to monitor potential economic disruptions and to seek assistance for our local businesses and employers.
Resources will be updated as new information becomes available.
Employers are required to post the United States Department of Labor:
Employee Rights Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Poster from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. Click here to download.
How to Support Local Businesses
We always hear how important it is to shop local and support small businesses. Now more than ever that statement rings true.
As everyone is quarantining, and social distancing, local businesses are seeing less foot traffic than normal.
It is important to stay healthy and listen to the government and CDC officials, but it’s also important to help our neighbors when we can.
Here are a few ways we can help support our friends and neighbors during this time.
SHOP LOCAL FIRST – SHOP LOCAL, ONLINE – ORDER TO GO – STAY SUBSCRIBED – BUSINESS-2-BUSINESS COLLABORATION – TIP A LITTLE EXTRA – BUY A GIFT CARD – GET SOCIAL, ONLINE – DONATE
- A total of 158 individuals took the survey.
- 93% of respondents believe that their business has been impacted by COVID-19.
- We received well balanced survey participation. The largest participating group were businesses with 1-10 employees with 37.3% of the responses.
- 53.7% of participants were male and 43% female (3.1% did not respond).
- 56.2% of people who participated were between the age of 35 – 54.
- Types of businesses vary drastically, but the largest sector of participation was medical & health services with 15.1%
- 71.5% of the people participating in the survey classified themselves as essential personnel.
- Many businesses have implemented budget reductions and layoffs, but over 33% of respondents are working remotely from home.
- When asked how much has their revenue changed over February / March, 24% of people surveyed said they have seen more than a 50% decrease in revenue.
- Interestingly, 5.6% of respondents said that they have seen a revenue increase in this same time-span.
- A whopping 90.4% of people surveyed said that they strongly support, support or somewhat support the 2.2 trillion dollar coronavirus relief package that Congress recently passed.
- When we asked people when they would feel comfortable safely reopening business in Somerset-Pulaski County, 14.5% of people said immediately ….. and another 49.3% said businesses should reopen at some point on May.
COVID-19 Hotline: 1-800-722-5725
Lake Cumberland Health Department
Pulaski County Government: Covid-19
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
FDIC: Coronavirus Information for Bankers and Consumers
Kentucky Career Center: Rapid Response Services
Kentucky Career Center: Unemployment Insurance Claims
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce: Business Resources for Coronavirus
Kentucky Department for Public Health: COVID-19
U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Combating the Coronavirus
U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist
U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Small Business Coronavirus Guide
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Disaster Help Desk
U.S. Small Business Administration: Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
Kentucky Chamber: New Discount on Workers Compensation Insurance with Clearpath Mutual
No family and no business should go bankrupt because of the financial hardships caused by the coronavirus. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses. Importantly, these loans may be forgiven if borrowers maintain their payrolls during the crisis or restore their payrolls afterward. Click the Link Below to access the Small Business Guide and Checklist intended to help small businesses and self-employed individuals prepare to file for a loan.
Restart Somerset Membership Report
In the coming weeks, business owners will flip their open signs and many employees will slowly begin returning to work. We encourage all business owners in Somerset-Pulaski County to review the guidelines implemented by the State and CDC prior to resuming day-to-day activities.
RESOURCES FOR HEALTHY PUBLIC SPACES:
Kentucky – Healthy at Work: How we Reopen our Economy
CDC Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
LOCAL PERSONNEL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:
Team Modern Business Services and Cintas have launched an online site for businesses needing a solution for COVID-related items.
Items currently available:
Disposable Masks
Washable Masks
Poly Gloves
Hand Sanitizer
Cleaning/Sanitizing Supplies
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
Can Liner/Garbage Bags
CINTAS PRODUCTS
TEAM MODERN PRODUCTS
10 RULES ALL BUSINESS MUST FOLLOW:
Closed Businesses Reopening. Each business must meet the following minimum requirements before they can reopen. If any business in a sector being reopened cannot comply with the minimum requirements set out below, they must wait to reopen until they are able to do so or until some or all of these restrictions are lifted.
RESTAURANT GUIDELINES:
National Restaurant Association Reopening Guidelines
REOPENING PLANS:
The Governor unveiled a tentative reopening schedule for a variety of businesses allowed to resume operations. He said that as long as Kentucky keeps up the fight against the coronavirus with promising results, the following business sectors are in line to restart:
May 11 – Manufacturing, construction, vehicle and vessel dealerships, professional services (at 50% of pre-outbreak capacity), horse racing (without spectators), pet grooming and boarding
May 20 – Retail, houses of worship
May 25 – Social gatherings of no more than 10 people, barbers, salons, cosmetology businesses, and similar services
1. ASSESS THE FINANCIAL DAMAGE
The first step in developing a rebuilding plan for COVID-19 is determining just how deeply your small business has been affected. Aside from the hard numbers relating to sales, profits and cash flow, consider other ways in which your business has been affected.
1. IDENTIFY NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
Rethinking the services and products your company offers can compensate for a loss of traffic and sales. Plus, finding alternative ways to attract customers can open up new opportunities for your company down the road, even after business returns to normal. Start by looking at the resources you have on hand (e.g., staffing, supplies, facilities) and evaluating the needs in your community.
2. RESTRUCTURE EMPLOYEES FOR GREATER IMPACT
If changing market demands has decreased activity in certain areas of your business, you may want to move employees to concentrate on other areas of the business with greater needs. In addition to keeping essential operations running smoothly, restructuring can give team members the opportunity to cross-train and learn new skills.
Here are some other ideas to keep your business running efficiently and your employees productive:
Perform deep cleaning. Maintaining a clean environment will help protect the safety of your customers, clients and employees. Sanitize shared spaces regularly, and don’t forget to thoroughly clean those commonly overlooked spaces such as walls and ceilings, upholstery and windows.
3. OFFER FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENTS
Depending on your business needs, you may want to consider staggering work schedules and reducing hours. Offering flexible schedule options can help you trim overhead costs while keeping employees on the payroll. Talk to your team to gauge interest on adjusted schedules, and ask for individual preferences. Some may prefer 20 hours a week during morning shifts, while others could work 30 hours a week any time of day.
Mask type: Three-ply, surgical mask
Quantities: Sold in multiples of 50 masks per box
Price: $49.50 per box of 50 masks (plus shipping and sales tax)
Shipment: Once your order is received, you can expect the shipment to be mailed within three to five business days.
Please note: These are single-use masks that should not be reused.
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