Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce

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    • About Us
    • Office Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Committees
    • Accomplishments
    • Testimonials
    • Sponsorship
    • Mobile App
    • Chamber Store
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Business >
      • Annual Dinner
      • Business After Hours
      • Job Fair
      • Lunch-N-Learn
      • Speed Networking
    • Festivals >
      • Walleye Festival
      • Riverfront Live
      • Rock the Light
    • Holiday >
      • Trick or Treat
      • Community Christmas
    • Community Fun >
      • Sunset Cruise
      • Car Show
      • Golf Outing
    • Photo Gallery
  • News
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    • Member Spotlight
    • Information To Know
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Blog/COVID-19 | News

Business Task Force Call-COVID Relief

1/13/2021

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​We are also pleased to announce that on Thursday, January 14th at 11:30am, as part of the Ottawa County Commissioners Small Business Task Force bi-weekly meeting, we will be providing a COVID-19 Relief Bill Presentation. This presentation will be conducted by Nick Apling, Robert Apling & Associates, and Justin Moore, GenoaBank. The presentation itself will last approximately 10-15 minutes and will be followed by a question and answer period. This presentation is open to the business community and accessible by clicking this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3427603931 or call 312-626-6799 with Passcode: 3427603931#
 
COVID Relief Bill (Stimulus 2.0)
On December 27th, 2020 the COVID Relief Bill (Stimulus 2.0) was signed into law.  The $900 billion spending bill has several provisions that will assist individuals and small businesses.  This includes the popular Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Employee Retention Credit (ERC), and the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).  These programs are expected to launch as early as next week.
 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
For businesses, it includes significant updates to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) – including how they are taxed, tax credit eligibility, receiving grants and more.  You must use an eligible banking institution to apply.
  • You are encouraged to apply even if you did not do so the first time (2020);
  • First-time applicants AND businesses that qualified and received a PPP loan in 2020 will also have the opportunity to apply again, but must meet these criteria:
    • The business has less than 300 employees, and;
    • had a 25% reduction in gross receipts during at least one quarter of 2020 when compared to the same quarter of 2019, and;
    • the amount of the loan does not exceed $2 million.
  • Like the original program, to get a PPP loan forgiven, 60% must be spent on payroll, but the 40% expenses (rent, utilities, mortgage interest) rule has been expanded. Eligible non-payroll PPP expenses now include:
    • Operations expenses: cloud computing services, business software, human resources and related expenses.
    • Supplier costs: payments that go to suppliers who provide essential goods.
    • Worker protection expenses: expenses that go toward keeping employees safe during COVID-19, including personal protective equipment (PPE), drive-thru windows, sneeze guards and outside dining enclosures.
    • Covered property damage costs: costs related to civil unrest that occurred in 2020 that were not covered by insurance.
  • Congress also made the necessary changes as they relate to a business’s taxable income. Whether you previously received a PPP loan or are getting one in the future, all PPP loans now are NOT taxable and the IRS cannot limit your deductions as a result of receiving the PPP loan. The language is retroactive and goes all the way back to the enactment of the CARES Act -- thus covering all PPP loan recipients.
  • Another positive change is that businesses will now be able to take advantage of both PPP loans and the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC). It also expands the ERTC in 2021, with the new ERTC credit offering a maximum of $14,000 per employee through June 30, 2021. Originally, the CARES Act only allowed businesses to choose PPP or ERTC. You should take these changes into account for year-end (2020) tax planning purposes and as you plan out 2021.  You are eligible based on a decrease in revenue when comparing to 2019 quarterly revenue to 2020/2021 quarterly revenue. Please talk to your accountant regarding eligibility.  This is a complicated matter and details are still developing.
How do I apply?
  • We strongly urge you to talk to your accountant or local bank directly.  Their knowledge and expertise will be invaluable.
  • The federal government is working to ensure a smoother process with this new round of funding – more details and the rollout are expected the week of January 11.
  • These funds are expected to go quickly just like the first time – the longer you wait the less likely you will be to receive the funds.
  • For more information about the Paycheck Protection Program click here.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (extended thru end of 2021 -- apply directly with the SBA on their website)
  • Lending option to assist businesses with a loan.  You must pay this loan back.  The interest rate is 3.75% and fixed over 30 years.
  • However, there are restrictions of distribution of assets (Example: cash distributions to owners).
  • SBA determines eligible loan amount based on your revenue.
  • Click here to be directed to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan page and application on the SBA’s website.
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Leadership Ottawa County 2021 Virtual Institute

1/5/2021

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Free SBDC Webinar - Creating Marketing Materials

1/5/2021

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registration_form_-_creating_marketing_materials.pdf
File Size: 302 kb
File Type: pdf
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Employees Who Test Positive

11/17/2020

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As most of you are aware, Ottawa County currently is a Level RED and a revised health order on mass gatherings goes into effect tomorrow, November 17th. Based on this information and future communication we’re sure to receive, OCIC will be relaunching our COVID-19 Updates & Resources email notice. This notice will be sent out every Friday and will include a summary from Governor DeWine’s Thursday press conferences. In the event we receive crucial information that can’t wait until Friday, we communicate that information to you as soon as possible.
 
Due to the high volume of positive COVID-19 cases in Ottawa County, the OCIC is also working in conjunction with the Ottawa County Health Department to communicate with those of you in the business community. As a first step to relaunching our COVID-19 email notice, please refer to the attached “Employees Who Test Positive” document as a point of reference should someone in your workplace contract COVID-19. Again, the intent is to take some of the burden off of our health department staff who are working very hard during this challenging time.
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Important Message!

11/17/2020

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​Dear Chamber Member, Business Owner and Citizen:
 
We know there is a great deal of concern and uncertainty out there surrounding the recent surge in COVID-19 numbers and its potential impact on your small business.  We also know that the vast majority of the bars, restaurants and retailers in our county have done a great job following the guidelines that have been put in place.  That is why we want to take a moment to remind you of a few things you can do to help remind your patrons and staff to ensure your doors stay open:
 
The Facts
 
There has been an order in place since April to limit gatherings to no more than 10 people.  
Despite the order, there is rampant spread of the virus from private social gatherings, banquets, wedding receptions and other widely attended events.  
A new order will place significant new restrictions on these social activities. The new order requires everyone to be seated with a face covering unless they are actively consuming food or drinks and prohibits things such as dancing and games.  
If the trend continues and cases keep increasing it would appear restaurants, bars, and gyms will be forced to close.  
These are locations where it is difficult or impossible to maintain mask-wearing as people congregate in close proximity for extended periods of time.  
What Can You Do?
 
Post a Face Covering Requirement sign at each public entrance (see attached printable sign for your use).  This is now required following the directive set forth by Governor DeWine on Wednesday evening.  
Monitor establishment to ensure customers and employees are abiding by the face covering and social distancing guidelines set forth by the State of Ohio.  This would include individuals that gather or congregate with others that are not a part of the group with whom they arrived.  
Designate the manager on duty (or owner) to serve as the conduit for patrons who are not cooperating by those guidelines.  
Shoot a video of you in your establishment and post on your social media accounts.  “We know these are challenging and confusing times, but my/our business cannot take another shutdown. Please respect those around you by wearing a mask and maintain proper social distancing when you are in public. If everyone plays by the rules we will be able to stay open. Be Safe. Be Smart. Respect Others.”  This is simply a recommendation, so feel free to use your own words in your video.  
Print/Post the attachments in your place of business and/or on your social media accounts.  You could also use language similar to that used in the previous bullet in the social media post.  
We believe that reminding your customers of the detrimental impact more closures will have on your business the more likely they will be to “play by the rules”.

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$125M Grant for Ohio Small Businesses & $37.5M Grant for Bars and Restaurant

10/27/2020

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​Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted today announced a $125 million grant program to help small businesses that have been harmed by the effects of COVID-19.
The grants will provide $10,000 to small businesses in Ohio with no more than 25 employees. The program will be administered by the Ohio Development Services Agency. Eligible businesses that are approved to receive grants can use the money for a variety of expenses, including mortgage or rent payments; utility payments; salaries, wages, or compensation for employees and contractors; business supplies or equipment; and other costs.
To ensure the grants are spread throughout the state, $500,000 will be set aside for businesses in each of Ohio’s 88 counties. As businesses in each county are approved for funding, the $10,000 grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. When a county’s allocation is depleted, businesses in that county will be eligible to receive grants from the remaining funds in the overall grant program. If businesses in a county do not deplete the county’s allocation within 21 days after the application period opens, the remaining funds will become available to businesses statewide.
“Small businesses and their employees are an important part of the fabric of life in Ohio, and these funds will help sustain them now so they are with us for years to come,” said Lydia Mihalik, Director of the Development Services Agency.
The application opens November 2 at businesshelp.ohio.gov. Funding for the program is contingent on approval by the Ohio Controlling Board. 
 
The state of Ohio has created a $37.5 million fund to help bars and restaurants that have been hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund will provide $2,500 grants to eligible liquor permit holders in Ohio.
The application for the Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund will be available at businesshelp.ohio.gov starting November 2. Businesses applying for funding will be required to establish a registration ID with the state of Ohio. To create a new OH|ID, which provides users with secure access to State of Ohio services and programs, click here.
Permit holders may apply for the liquor assistance funding as well as the Small Business Relief Grant. Funding for the program is contingent on approval by the Ohio Controlling Board.
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Social media tips to help your business succeed:

10/20/2020

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Bulletin: Hoty Enterprises

10/14/2020

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Chamber Bulletin:Ohio Development Services Agency

8/26/2020

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FREE Cyber Security for Small Businesses virtual training.

7/21/2020

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Click HERE for registration: 
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    Nicole Kochensparger
    ​President/CEO

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Port Clinton Area Chamber
110 Madison Street 
Port Clinton, OH 434522

P:  (419) 734-5503
F:  (419) 734-4768
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