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The Savannah Chamber Weekly Digest
Everything You Need to Know From the Chamber
February 22, 2021
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Source: Georgia General Assembly
Last week the Georgia General Assembly met and completed legislative days 17-19 out of 40. On Monday February 15, Governor Kemp signed HB 80, the FY 2021 Amended Budget into law. Included in HB 80 was a $1M for a targeted advertising campaign to promote Georgia tourism. Also included in HB 80 is a one-time $1,000 bonus for 57,000 state employees making less than $80,000. Also, SB 27 - which extends the time a member of the military has to qualify for the issuance of a license or certification as an electrical contractor, plumber, conditioned air contractor, low-voltage contractor, or utility contractor using his or her military specialty or certification, passed out of the Senate and was sent to the house for consideration.
The legislature will reconvene for legislative day 20 on Monday February 22.
Read more ›
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Join us Wednesday, February 24 at 8:30 a.m. for Speed Networking at the Marriott Savannah Riverfront. Be sure to bring plenty of business cards when you attend this members-only event. Each attendee will have 30 seconds to introduce themselves and their company to Chamber members at their table, then table rotations will give everyone in attendance a chance to network. RSVP now to reserve your spot! Attendance is limited to 50.
Read more ›
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| COVID-19 is still a concern in our community. The following guidelines will be enforced for all in-person networking events:
- Social Distancing Required
- Masks required when not eating or drinking
- Hand sanitizer will be provided
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For 30 years Margaret Mary Russell has been the heartbeat of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce. She joined the organization in 1991 as executive assistant to then Chamber President David Young and has worked closely with current Chamber President Bill Hubbard for the past 20 years.
Read more ›
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On February 12, Visit Savannah released a video of Forsyth Park fountain illuminated with 288 luminaries. Visit Savannah shared the video on all social media channels and directly on Youtube where it is now the highest viewed video on the channel. For all posts featuring the video, a total of 1.2 million impressions and 700,000 views were achieved. For total numbers featuring all Happy Birthday-related content, the video garnered 1,427,357 impressions, 1,020,120 estimated users reached and 727,437 views.
Read more ›
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ESPN Radio Savannah, in partnership with the Chamber, is giving away a Braves radio sponsorship to a local business! Like many businesses across the country, COVID-19 negatively impacted the ability to do business. But thanks to the unwavering support of ESPN Radio Savannah’s customers, radio sponsorships are making a comeback, and ESPN wants to give back.
Read more ›
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NEW MEMBERS
Welcome our newest members and remember to do business with our fellow Chamber members!
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RENEWALS
Thank you to these members for their continued support through their membership.
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RIBBON CUTTINGS
Please support your fellow Chamber members by attending these upcoming ribbon cutting and grand opening events!
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
We appreciate our members and each week provide insight about member companies and their services.
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Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Times are tough for small business, but help is available, from both the government—federal, state or local— and the private sector. It may be in the form of a grant, a loan or a leg up competing in a difficult business environment. Click here to read a breakdown to help you sort through what’s available.
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Source: The White House
The Biden Administration announced changes to the main U.S. coronavirus aid program for small businesses to try to reach smaller, minority-owned firms and sole proprietors left behind in previous rounds of aid. Starting February 24, for two-weeks, the Small Business Administration will only accept applications for forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans from firms with fewer than 20 employees to ensure that they are not overshadowed by larger firms. The changes aim to make it easier for firms with no employees — sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed people such as house cleaners and personal care providers — that could not qualify previously because of business cost deductions. The officials said the program will also set aside $1 billion for businesses without employees in low- and moderate-income areas, which are 70% owned by women and people of color.
Read more ›
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The research team at the Business Information Group at Georgia Southern (BIG) is working on a survey project to gauge the level of engagement between Georgia Sothern’s varied departments and its regional partners in economic development, business, and local government. The purpose is to measure the university’s current levels of economic development and community engagement activity as well as generate planning goals to increase the regional impact of the university moving forward. The feedback from Chamber members is a vital part of designing the future growth and engagement of Georgia Southern throughout the coastal and southern regions of Georgia. Please take a moment to full out this survey, it is anonymous and should only take a few minutes to complete.
Click here for survey.
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GEORGIA CHAMBER WEEKLY FEDERATION UPDATE
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The Georgia Chamber introduced the Georgia Chamber Federation a partnership with local chambers focused on grassroots advocacy - working to empower our state's small businesses by providing them with the information and resources necessary to actively engage their elected state officials and local leaders.
As a member of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, any business with 10 or fewer full time employees receives free membership into the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and access to their weekly newsletter.
View the Georgia Chamber Weekly Federation Update ›
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As health and government officials are working to maintain the safety, security, and health of our communities, Savannah area small businesses are encouraged to do their part to keep their employees, customers, and themselves healthy. All Savannah area employers need to consider how best to decrease the spread COVID-19 in their workplace in the event of an outbreak in Chatham and surrounding counties. Click here to explore what resources are available for individuals and businesses at this time.
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