The US Department of Treasury released FAQs for the Paycheck Protection Program, currently open for qualified businesses.For additional information on it, go here: https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2020-05/Paycheck-Protection-Program-Frequently-Asked-Questions_05%2013%2020_2.pdf
In anticipation of Mobile’s reopening, the Mobile Area Chamber would like to help you reopen in a safe, smart and thoughtful way. We have prepared a guidebook for you, along with a list of PPE makers within Mobile to help you and your employees for a potential reopening.
Click here for the GUIDEBOOK and click here for the PPE LIST.
The Mobile Area Chamber is culling headlines to find the latest information. Be sure to follow us on our social media channels. Connect with us, if you haven’t already: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Stay Safe. Stay Local. Stay Informed.
The Mobile Area Chamber is hosting a number of conference calls with area experts to address critical topics.
May 15, 2020
There is so much uncertainty surrounding compliance and forgiveness for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, and many recipients are now asking whether they should just return the funding altogether. Today, Michael Berson, a partner at Adams and Reese LLP, provided guidance on understanding the law and how it applies to your business as he discussed a PPP audit and compliance scrutiny, potential exposure, necessity certifications and more. Listen here. Read his presentation slides here.
May 14, 2020
On today’s call, Katie Boyd Britt with BCA gave an overview on several key legislative items local businesses need to be aware of including: increasing the types of businesses to protect under Gov. Kay Ivey’s “Safe Harbor” executive order, key items that could be taken up in a special session if called by the Governor; and the CARES Act loans for business owners. Click here to listen.
May 13, 2020
Cyber criminals have “upped their game” during the COVID-19 pandemic. On today’s call Glenda Snodgrass provided a thorough check list on how to prepare your computers and IT networks for re-opening of your office/business. Click here to listen.
May 12, 2020
Today, Taylor Engerson with Safety Plus provided an in-depth overview of what businesses need to know when reopening, based on a business’s level of risk. He talked about the CARES Act sick leave, posting clean and safe measures throughout the building, designating at least one person on staff to be “central command” for workplace safety and more. Click here to listen.
May 11, 2020
This morning Anitra Henderson from the City of Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson’s office overviewed Ignite Mobile, a project of the city that provided grants to businesses impacted by COVID-19 but were not eligible for federal funding. She also detailed how the city has responded to the community in light of the pandemic, and more. Click here to listen.
May 8, 2020
Dr. Valerie James shared important items to consider as businesses re-open during our COVID-19 pandemic. Listen to the call here. The recommendations fall into four areas – leadership, strategy, structure and talent – and would include creating a one-way work-flow throughout your facility; developing solutions teams to address our new business environment; determining what to increase, decrease or maintain; assessing your employees to make sure they’re filling the right role at this time; and developing an FAQ that addresses how you are re-opening for your staff, clients and general public. The document she spoke from is here. It was very informative for me as we design next week and beyond.
May 7, 2020
Day Peake with Phelps Dunbar covered a lot of legal issues today regarding a return-to-work plan from OSHA regulations, leave time, childcare issues, recommended PPEs and healthy/safety measures and more. Bottom line, there are a number of grey areas between existing recommendations vs. new regulations. Be sure to have a method to take notes while listening to the call.
May 6, 2020
We had a great call today with Cheryl Williams, owner of Spherion Staffing. She provided practical advice for business owners to consider when maintaining your workforce. Topics covered included: communicating your business risk, why salaries are the the most important incentive to attract and retain the best employees, developing a relationship with your banker and taking advantage of federal and state job training programs. She also offered callers access to a salary guide for the Mobile market.
May 5, 2020
On today’s call with Sydney Raine, with Southwest Alabama Partnerships for Training and Employment, discussed federal dollars that can come to your business for training new hires. This has been a successful program in the Mobile market, but there are plenty of local companies not taking advantage of it. Listen to what he had to say here, and if you want to learn more, contact Stephanie Shepard at 251-432-0909 ext. 148
May 4, 2020
No matter if you are an employer, or an employee, you need to take a listen to this call. Gia Wiggins covered so much practical information during this session – from transitioning back to an office, getting employee HR issues under control immediately, thoughtful honest communications with staff and managing individuals with valid and unrealistic concerns for returning to work. #believeinmobile
May 1, 2020
Liz Freeman‘s team at Long’s Human Resources Services had to quickly adapt to new, safer protocols for screening applicants as COVID-19 began impacting the U.S. Listen in on today’s call about what the staffing company is doing to protect its own staff, clients and customers now and in the near future. It’s not been without challenges, but Long’s is implementing some progressive steps to support their workforce.
April 30, 2020
“Hard times don’t create heroes. It’s during those times they are revealed.” This is how Mobile County Public Schools Superintendent Chresal Threadgill kicked off his call today with the Mobile Area Chamber. From there he outlined what the system has been able to accomplish over the last month – facing challenges most of us could never imagine. He also shared some insight about the system’s plans heading into summer school, this fall, and honoring the class of 2020. Also of importance, if you listen to the call here and want to help MCPSS, please reach out to Rena Philips.
April 29, 2020
Are you having one of those days of “self-doubt” and wondering if your job or your company can survive the COVID-19 pandemic? If so, listen now to today’s Mobile Area Chamber teleconference call with Nate Patterson. On it he shares personal experiences past and present – and how it’s making him grow as a business owner, entrepreneur and professional speaker.
April 28, 2020
Terry Harbin and Bill Sisson joined the Tuesday Mobile Area Chamber teleconference call to talk about a variety of business-related topics including the SBA Paycheck Protection Program, results from the Chamber’s survey to members and ways the Chamber has responded, and what a reopen plan might look like to the Chamber. Click here to listen.
April 27, 2020
Less than an hour after the SBA reopened its loan programs portal for local banks, Megan Owens with Regions Bank joined the Mobile Area Chamber on a call with members to discuss the Paycheck Protection Program and the advantages of making application. Click here to listen to the call.
April 24, 2020
Today, the Chamber hosted Emily Gonzalez with Visit Mobile on its daily call to hear more about the tourism industry and how it’s been affected during the pandemic, as well as a plan for conventions coming here for the remainder of the year, and Visit Mobile’s new website created to support retail and restaurants in Mobile called http://ThisisMobileAL.com. Click here to listen to the call.
April 22, 2020
America is considering what it will take to restart the economy. It’s clear the most likely approach is a gradual, phased reopening linked to regional conditions. But any effort to bring millions of people back to work comes with lots of big, complicated questions. Moore Hallmark with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce discusses Path Forward, a new program from the U.S. Chamber Foundation, designed to help business and community leaders find the answers they need to develop a responsible reopening strategy. Listen to his presentation to the Mobile Chamber here and sign up for additional sessions at: https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/path-forward
April 21, 2020
Today, Rob Guthans with ServiceMaster spoke with Chamber members about what his company is doing to clean and sanitize local businesses and industry, and what smaller businesses can do on their own in advance of, and offices re-open. He encouraged everyone at a company to commit to cleaning. Click here to listen to what else he had to say.
As our business community turns its attention to return-to-work, cleaning your common spaces, offices and entry points, the CDC has given some suggestions on how to safely clean and disinfect your office. Information on this link includes disinfecting hard and soft surfaces, electronics and more.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html
April 17, 2020
Sen. Doug Jones spoke with members of the Mobile Area Chamber’s Board of Directors and Governmental Affairs Committee. Here what Sen. Jones had to say about the Paycheck Protection Program and other SBA programs for small businesses, as well as an overview on what he expects next from Congress. Click here to listen.
April 16, 2020
The Innovation PortAL team talked with Mobile Area Chamber members on a variety of topics ranging from launching a new business to talking with your clients and customers via social media, and providing an update on the new IP building under construction on St. Louis Street. Click here to listen to the call.
April 15, 2020
Bruce McGowin with Hand Arendall Harrison Sale provided some important information today on the Mobile Area Chamber’s teleconference call about the Paycheck Protection Program. Click here to listen to what he had to say about the importance of filing now even if the program runs out of money, what you paperwork is needed to apply. He overviewed these items and more.
April 14, 2020
This morning we had Cindy Gibson and Jennifer Gregory with AltaPointe Health speak with members about our mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. They gave some us some great coping tools, and some clues in behavior changes to be aware of that might lead to crisis. Please take the time to listen to their 30 minute presentation here, and if you or someone you know needs help, there is a 24/7 crisis line to call – 251-450-2211 or 888-335-3044.
April 13, 2020
Mayor Sandy Stimpson participated in the Mobile Area Chamber’s conference call with members, and provided updates on various topics such as: COVID-19 testing, additional crowd control measures for big box retailers, restarting Mobile’s economy and more. Click here to listen.
April 10, 2020
Dr. Valerie James spoke to the Mobile Area Chamber on tips to recession-proof your business and offered tools including – pausing, stepping back, leaning forward and achieving clarity. Click here to listen to how these tools can help you personally and professionally moving forward.
April 9, 2020
This morning Dr. Reggie Sykes, president of Bishop State Community College provided listeners with a brief update from the college about immediate, and short term plans for students, including online summer learning, programs being offered this summer, and updates on several building projects. Click here to listen to his presentation.
April 9, 2020
Webinar: Presented by the Alabama Small Business Development Center (SBDC), to help businesses prepare to apply for an SBA Economic Injury Loan and Paycheck Protection Program. Here’s the step-by-step presentation and recording. Point of Contact: Alabama SBDC, 205.348.1582, email
April 8, 2020
Partners from Wilkins Miller joined the Chamber on its daily call to talk about tax laws and the impact of the Family First Coronavirus Disaster and Cares Act. This recording includes some good information about what could potentially prevent your business from granted loan forgiveness. Listen here to it.
April 7, 2020
Bill Sisson, president & CEO of the Mobile Area Chamber spoke of the efforts we’re working on to help all businesses in the Mobile area. He talked about the Chamber moving short-term move from traditional events and programming to one-on-one counseling for small businesses, contacting all our members, and resources available to employers and employees. Click here to listen to the recorded call.
April 6, 2020
This morning Michael Berson with Adams & Reese spoke with members about two SBA disaster programs – Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Paycheck Protection Program. He gave a great presentation filled with timely and useful information for businesses applying for either. A recording of his presentation can be found here, along with the most up-to-date PPP application and guidelines from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Find an Eligible Lender for Paycheck Protection Program:- https://www.sba.gov/paycheckprotection/find
April 3, 2020
Fitzgerald Washington, Secretary for the Alabama Department of Labor spoke with Mobile Area Chamber members on how he sees the workforce evolving following this crisis and shared his perspective on what recovery looks like in Alabama. Click here to listen to his presentation. To stay up-to-date with the latest news from ADOL, go to https://www.labor.alabama.gov/covid19resources.aspx.
April 2, 2020
Terry Harbin, market president of BancorpSouth and chairman of the Mobile Area Chamber’s board, participated in a Chamber-hosted conference call and talked about the banking industry’s role in supporting local businesses with the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan process and the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program. There’s a lot of great information in this 30-minute recording for business owners. Click the icon or listen here.
April 1, 2020
Jo Bonner, chief of staff for Gov. Kay Ivey, spoke on critical issues impacting the state of Alabama. In addition to encouraging every small business owner to apply for SBA funding, he also talked about medical supplies for the state’s healthcare systems, workforce needs and challenges, and why the state has made the decision to limit non-essential service providers. Click here to listen to his remarks. To read the Governor’s letter to small businesses across the state, click here.
March 31, 2020
Emily Killion with Burr Forman spoke to Mobile Area Chamber members about the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and how it impacts employees and employers. You can listen to here to the presentation. Also she shared information from the Department of Labor that employers are required to post on the new act. As many employees are now working remotely, you can share this flyer with your HR department and ask them to distribute.
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/posters/FFCRA_Poster_WH1422_Non-Federal.pdf
March 30, 2020
Jennifer Jenkins, APR, president of JJPR presented during a daily Mobile Chamber conference call discussing communicating with your clients in a crisis. Jennifer also wanted to share a link to the slides she worked off of this morning. You can access them here. Listen to the call here.
March 27, 2020
The Mobile Area Chamber hosted a call with Abe Harper with Harper Technologies to talk about cyber security while working from home. Here are some of the highlights from the call. Listen to the complete call here.
March 26, 2020
Conference call: Michael Berson with Adams and Reese spoke to Mobile Area Chamber members, providing an update on the federal stimulus package. If you missed that call, or want co-workers/friends/family to hear what he had to say, click the image or click here.
March 24, 2020
Webinar: Presented by the Alabama Small Business Development Center (SBDC), to help businesses prepare to apply for an SBA Economic Injury Loan. Here’s the step-by-step presentation and recording.
Point of Contact: Alabama SBDC, 205.348.1582, email
March 23, 2020
Conference Call: U.S. Representative Bradley Byrne participated on a conference call on important items for your business including the SBA loan process, the federal stimulus package proposed, and what you should be doing as a small business owner during this national crisis. Click the icon to listen to that call or click here.