DUBOIS – Businesses are still trying to wade through the myriad of grants, programs and other options for assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With so many Web sites, paperwork and other headaches to navigate, one organization is helping businesses right here in our own back yard.
According to Jodi August, executive director of the Greater DuBois Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development, the chamber has 459 members in 14 municipalities and townships.
August said that the members are a mix of small, locally-owned businesses with some larger franchises and corporations thrown into the mix.
When the COVID-19 shutdown hit in March, the 459 chamber members were entering uncharted territory.
“(We were) heartsick, completely heartsick,” August said via e-mail. “We worried about the loss of revenue for our businesses and how they will bounce back.”
Knowing how serious a shutdown can be, the chamber sprang into action to provide any assistance they could.
“Our chamber quickly learned about available disaster loan programs, available grants and reached out to our local economic partners and financial lenders,” August said.
“Once we were a few weeks into the pandemic, we started an ‘Open for Business’ page on our chamber Web site. We allowed any business, not just our members, to use to promote hours of operations.”
The page is still in operation and can be viewed at https://www.duboispachamber.com/open-for-business. August said the site is updated regularly.
August also said that the chamber is offering a “coffee, chat and check-in” telephone or face-to-face meeting with local business owners or businesses who are seeking help.
“We’ve increased our social media posts for our business members and have consistently encouraged local spending,” she said. “We are consistently encouraging local spending.
“We plan to revamp all our chamber benefits to our members to fit current times. Our members can expect to see less ‘handshake’ events and more digital and social media options.”
August said as the chamber learns about new grants and programs, they do their best to pass the information to the members.
“We stay in close contact with the U.S. Chamber, the Pennsylvania Chamber and local legislators on a regular basis,” she said.
For more information, visit www.duboispachamber.com or call 814-371-5010.