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| | | IN THIS ISSUE 2nd Annual Chamber Golf Invitational Upcoming Online Events Vote in Fish Fry Faceoff Coronavirus Resoures Page Local Relief Programs Available Return to Work Best Practices Return to Work Webinar DWD Workshare Program Chamber Virtual Town Halls 504 Payment Forgiveness Oshkosh Restaurants Are Open Local Election Results New Members Chamber Members Save Chamber Member Spotlights Oregon Street Construction UW-O to Hold Online Commencement Petition to Re-Open Wisconsin | | |
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MEMBER MATTERS IS SPONSORED BY STELLAR BLUE TECHNOLOGIES | | | | |
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| RESERVE YOUR SPOT FOR THE
2ND ANNUAL CHAMBER GOLF INVITATIONAL! | | |
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| Monday, May 18, 2020 Tee Times Between 9 am and Noon
2nd Annual Chamber Invitational Oshkosh Country Club Click here to register | | |
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FROM SURVIVING
TO THRIVING!
A weekly Oshkosh Chamber webinar series designed to take your business from just getting by online, to online success!
Presented by Stellar Blue Technologies
TUESDAYS, STARTING MAY 5
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION HERE | | | | | | |
BREAKFAST BRIEFING Security, Breaches & Privacy Issues in the Workplace
Thursday, May 14 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Presented by von Briesen &
Roper, s.c.
REGISTER HERE | | | | |
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| | | OC CONNECTION BREAKFAST MAY 13: 7:45 - 9:00 a.m. Sponsored by Copier Consulting REGISTER HERE | | | | |
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| VOTE IN THE WISCONSIN
FISH FRY FACEOFF
Vote for your favorite Fish Fry in the Travel Wisconsin Fish Fry FaceOff! And an Oshkosh favorite and Oshkosh Chamber member made it into the finals! Of course—our vote is for Parnell's Place in Oshkosh—you can vote 1x a day through May 15! | | |
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| CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES
FOR BUSINESS | | |
| Looking for Coronavirus information and resources useful to your business? Be sure to check out the Oshkosh Chamber’s
Coronavirus Resources webpage.
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| LOCAL COVID RELIEF PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO OSHKOSH CHAMBER MEMBERS
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| With much attention being focused on a number of small business relief programs offered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) related to the COVID-19 crisis, Oshkosh Chamber members are also encouraged to take advantage and be aware of a number of local “emergency loan” programs that are available for businesses that have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic: Oshkosh Chamber Bar and Restaurant Emergency Micro Loan Program, Winnebago County Rapid Recovery Loan Program and Greater Oshkosh COVID-19 Emergency Response Loans. | | |
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| COVID-19 AND BEST PRACTICES FOR RETURNING TO WORK
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| by Darlene (Dolly) Clabault, Senior Editor-HR at J. J. Keller
The thought of bringing employees back to work during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is generally a positive one, but it must be handled carefully and with forethought. Some employees will be concerned about their health and safety upon returning to work, so letting them know what steps you have taken and will take can help ease those concerns. Such steps could include how and when you will bring employees back, how you will maintain coworker distance, whether and how you will screen employees and customers/vendors before entering the building, what personal protective equipment will be available and/or required, and how the workplace will be cleaned. | | |
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| RETURN TO WORK: BEST PRACTICES TO KEEP YOUR WORKPLACE SAFE
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| What are the best practices employers should implement to ensure safe, respectful environments for employees and customers as business ramps up post Safer at Home? Dolly Clabault of J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., headquartered in Neenah, will share considerations to make around employee health screening/monitoring, contact tracing, physical distancing, sanitation, masking, and mental health – with special expertise in ensuring all actions comply with regulatory requirements by the Department of Labor and other agencies.
Companies are taking a proactive approach regarding appropriate actions to deal with the changing landscape the virus creates. Protecting its employees’ health and safety during this pandemic situation is the Company’s highest priority. Jim Macy will outline recommended policies that companies need to consider upon reopening their businesses.
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| WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ENCOURAGES EMPLOYERS TO AVOID LAYOFFS BY PARTICIPATING IN THE WORK-SHARE PROGRAM The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) encouraged employers who are struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic to participate in the Work-Share Program, instead of laying off employees. According to the release, the Work-Share Program is designed to help both employers and employees. Instead of laying off workers, a participating employer may reduce their work hours. Workers whose hours are reduced under an approved work-share plan receive unemployment benefits that are pro-rated for the partial work reduction. This allows everyone in the work unit to maintain some income and their health benefits. The COVID-19 relief bill that the legislature passed and Gov. Evers signed earlier this month makes several changes to current requirements in Wisconsin's Work-Share Program, one of which reduces the number of positions a work-share plan must cover. Under the new law, work-share plans must cover at least two positions that are filled on the effective date of the work-share program, rather than the greater of 20 positions or 10% of employees in a work unit under the previous requirements. Employers may also now reduce hours by up to 60 percent of the normal hours per week of the employees, rather than the current 50 percent. By participating in the Work-Share Program, employers will be able to retain their trained staff during the times of reduced business activity, allowing them to be ready as soon as the business reopens. | | |
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| CHAMBER VIRTUAL TOWN HALLS
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| Throughout the COVID-19 lockdown period, the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce will be holding a weekly Virtual Town Hall webinar on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. Each webinar features a Q&A session with the panelists.
The May 7 Town Hall will feature an update from local health care executives Dr. John Newman, President of Aurora Medical Center Oshkosh, and Dr. John Leschke, Vice President of Medical Affairs, Ascension Mercy.
The May 14 Town Hall will feature an education update from Chancellor Andrew Leavitt, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, and Superintendent Vickie Cartwright, Oshkosh Area School District.
Be sure to register in advance so we can email you the meeting details. All Virtual Town Hall webinars will be presented using the Zoom webinars app. | | |
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| REMINDER OF 504 PAYMENT FORGIVENESS TO WBD BORROWERS
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| As a reminder, for existing borrowers, effective 4/1/2020, the SBA will automatically pay the principal, interest and fees for a period of six months. Normal payments will resume on 10/1/2020. Beginning on April 1, WBD 504 Loan borrowers had their first of six payments made by the government, with normal payments to resume on October 1, 2020.
For new borrowers (authorized by SBA prior to 9/27/2020), SBA will also automatically pay the principal, interest and fees for the first six months. Normal payments will begin in the seventh month.
Please remember to check the WBD COVID-19 resource page for more information, including on the Paycheck Protection Program, both for lenders and borrowers. | | |
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| OSHKOSH AREA RESTAURANTS ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS
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| Oshkosh offers a wealth of great restaurants and eating establishments to choose from. Several member restaurants have confirmed with us their availability for takeout, delivery or pickup, and there are many other Oshkosh Chamber member restaurants to choose from as well. If you see your favorite restaurant on this list, or one you’ve always wanted to try, give them a call. They may be open for business!
Please click here for the list. | | |
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| Statewide local elections were held on Tuesday, April 7, including local races for Oshkosh Common Council and Oshkosh Area School District Board. The City Council race featured six candidates vying for three seats. That race resulted in two new people being elected to the Council, Lynnsey Erickson and Michael Ford, along with the re-election of incumbent Matt Mugerauer. Incumbent Bill Miller narrowly missed re-election in fourth place. The School Board race was for two openings. Incumbents Barb Herzog and Bob Poeschl were both re-elected over challenger Jen Sullivan. | | |
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| Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Inc. Contact: Tammy Hofstede (262) 785-0445 W233 N2080 Ridgeview Parkway, Ste. 201, Waukesha www.wicpa.org Precision Installations, Inc. Contact: William Yates (920) 968-4751 660 Watermark Court, Neenah piicompanies.com Hot Dog Charlie's LLC Contact: Charles Nichols (920) 279-2999 9 Church Avenue, Oshkosh | | | |
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| CHAMBER MEMBERS SAVE WITH... | | |
| | | Chamber Members Save on Payroll Services with Advanced Payroll Solutions. Learn more here. | | | | | | |
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Save up to 45% on monthly service with U.S. Cellular. Unlimited Voice and Data with no overages! Must order directly from Dan O’Day. Contact Dan at 920-427-2587 or at [email protected] | | | | | | | Have you gotten your Network Health Insurance quote?
Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce members have access to high-quality health care coverage at an exclusive, cost-effective premium through Network Health.
Contact your health insurance agent or call 800-276-8004 to learn more about the exclusive premium discount through Network Health. | | | | |
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| CHAMBER MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS FEATURING.... | | |
| Millwork Distributors Xpressive Apparel Adashun Jones Cozumel Mexican Restaurant | | |
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| OREGON STREET CONSTRUCTION
TO CONTINUE
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| Oregon Street from 21st Avenue to 28th Avenue will be closed for construction of concrete paving, grading, sidewalk and driveways, sewers, and patching. The closure is expected to last through November, 2020. | | |
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| UW OSHKOSH TO HOLD ONLINE COMMENCEMENT | | |
| The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh will hold their spring commencement program online, May 16. The decision to move commencement online was reached based on feedback from students. The University plans to include, "as much of the pomp and circumstance that would mark an in-person ceremony," according to Chancellor Andrew Leavitt. Graduates will also be able to walk in the mid-year commencement ceremony after the fall semester, if they choose to do so. Mid-year commencement is scheduled for December 19. | | |
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| PETITION TO RE-OPEN WISCONSIN | | |
| The Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce – along with 18 other statewide business associations and 33 local chambers of commerce – sent a letter to Gov. Tony Evers calling on his administration to put together a plan that allows the state’s economy to get moving again. The letter, while understanding of the importance of public health, puts a focus on the health of Wisconsin’s economy. The business community stresses in the letter that Wisconsin’s economy has been hit particularly hard by the governor’s Safer at Home order. Foot traffic is down at retail businesses and restaurants as much as 75 percent and Wisconsin is currently experiencing the highest rate of unemployment in its history. Wisconsin’s business community simply asks Gov. Evers to provide certainty to employers and their employees. “Restarting our economy will not happen overnight, and it likely will not be all at once,” said Kurt Bauer, WMC President & CEO. “That is why the business community and Gov. Evers need to work together on a plan that determines what industries and what areas of Wisconsin can open safely, along with a timeline.” | | |
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| Advertise in our newsletters - Call (920) 303-2265 to learn more! | | |
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Contact Us 120 Jackson Street, Oshkosh WI 54901 | | | |
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