THE WEEKLY CATALYST : SPECIAL EDITION PART FOUR March 19, 2020 • Carmel Chamber of Commerce

This Just In

President signs a bill providing paid sick leave, free testing and other benefits.

New York Times Article 3.19.2020

A relief package to provide sick leave, unemployment benefits, free coronavirus testing, and food and medical aid to people affected by the pandemic was signed into law by President Trump on Wednesday evening after the Senate passed it by a wide margin. It was approved by the House last week. The Senate vote was 90 to 8, after the majority leader, Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky, urged conservatives who disliked the bill to “gag and vote for it anyway.”

“This is a time for urgent bipartisan action, and in this case, I do not believe we should let perfection be the enemy of something that will help even a subset of workers,” Mr. McConnell said on the Senate floor Wednesday morning.

Lawmakers and the White House are already drafting another economic stabilization package that would send direct payments to taxpayers and provide loans to businesses.

“We are moving rapidly because the situation demands it,” Mr. McConnell said.

An outline of the new package, a copy of which was obtained by The New York Times, calls for a total of $1 trillion in spending, which would also include $50 billion for secured loans for the airline industry, and another $150 billion for secured loans or loan guarantees for other parts of the economy.

SBA DISASTER LOANS

Loans Applications are NOW AVAILABLE for Monterey County Business!! APPLY HERE.

CITY OF CARMEL UPDATE

UPDATE #5 March 18, 2020
Please take five (5) minutes to watch this important video message from our City Administrator (YouTube link) and the Library Director.

As with all other City facilities the Harrison Memorial and Park Branch Libraries are closed. We have renewed everyone’s books, so please hold on to your books until normal library services resume. Until then, while you are sheltering in place please take advantage of our virtual library. Books, audios, movies, and more, as well as the zip books program that allows you to order up to three books, DVDs, or audios a month delivered directly to you. If you don’t have a library card you can fill out an online application. You do NOT need to live in the one-square mile to get a card. Everyone is welcome! Contact us with any questions you may have regarding library services via email at hml.reference@gmail.com. We are here for you!

For more information about the Shelter in Place Order there is an FAQ available or please contact Monterey County by dialing 2-1-1. If there is an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.

HOTELIERS

Sent 3.19.2020 by MCHA

Dear MCHA Members,
We’re in the midst of an extreme situation—one without precedent. We stand with you and are fighting every day in Washington to protect travel workers and the industry we all love.

We can all take action right now.

By noon ET tomorrow, March 20, please sign onto this industry letter that will be sent to Congress. You can agree to add your organization here, and please share this link with your membership, partners, stakeholders—anyone who you think may want to signal their support.
SIGN ON HERE (linked outdated at this time)
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Together, we will overcome this and come out stronger than before.

Tori Emerson Barnes | Executive Vice President, Public Affairs and Policy
U.S. Travel Association 1100 New York Avenue, NW | Suite 450 | Washington, D.C. 20005
T 202.697.1300
LEARN MORE ustravel.org | travelcoalition.org

THE APPLAUSE SECTION

The Community has already begun it’s efforts to pull together; therefore, we are going to start highlighting those who have gone above and beyond to make the best out of a bad situation. Welcome to THE APPLAUSE SECTION.

MONTEREY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION & MONTEREY PENINSULA FOUNDATION:
The Community Foundation for Monterey County and the MontereyPeninsula Foundation have created the COVID-19 Relief Fund. The fund will address the immediate and longer-term needs of our region’s most vulnerable residents.
“By being proactive during times of uncertainty, we can come together to respond to the evolving needs of our diverse community.” – Dan Baldwin, CFMC President/CEO 100% of donations will support nonprofits aiding those affected by the impact of the Coronavirus in Monterey County. Donate Now.

JOHN PLASTINI: Mr. Plastini is a property manager for several properties in town, including the Doud Arcade. This Monday John met with all of his tenants and explained how he was going to work WITH them to accommodate their financial needs during this time. Thank you John for understanding the crisis of small businesses at this time and for being willing to step in and act as a leader in our community.

RIO GRILL: The owner of Rio Grill, Tony Tollner, when forced to close, sent all the leftover food in his restaurant home with his employees. Every little bit helps at times like these, so Thank you Tony for your leadership.

CITY OF CARMEL: The City of Carmel is waiving all parking fees during this time and allowing restaurants tasteful signage in front of their shops for curbside pickup. Thank you to the City for recognizing this need and relaxing their restrictions during this time to help our small businesses.

COUNCILMAN JEFF BARON: Jeff is working with a group of residents to identify the top 100 most at risk Carmelites, so that neighbors can help neighbors during this time. Thank you Jeff Baron for this important work and your leadership.

CARMEL CHAMBER BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Thank you to this dynamic group of leaders for meeting virtually Wednesday morning and discussing the status of business in the village at this time. This group worked diligently to contact our elected state legislature to make certain MONTEREY COUNTY was placed on the eligibility list for SBA Disaster Loan Assistance, AND IT WORKED!!! This committee, which normally meets once a month will be meeting virtually each week until we are through this trying time. We will keep you updated.

**SEND US YOUR STORIES AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO HIGHLIGHT**

COMCAST COMMERCIAL SPECIAL OFFER FOR RESTAURANTS

Our local Comcast representative, Danielle Price, has informed the Chamber that they will offer 0:15 commercials for $350 for restaurants to promote they are open for carry out & no min spend.

Contact Danielle directly if interested: dpricepa@gmail.com

AN EXTRA SPECIAL OFFER FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

In light of the almost hourly changes and the ever-increasing impact to small businesses, we have decided to offer support and make the focus of this 2-hour VIRTUAL Branding Workshop on how you can maximize your brand impact, differentiate as much as possible and make yourself even more valuable to your clients and their needs right now. So as much focused on current climate as possible.
And we’ve decided to make it totally FREE to small business owners.
If we can provide something valuable that might just help and at a time small business owners may have a bit more time to be creative, then we’re more than happy to do so.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/your-brand-as-a-business-owner-sharpening-and-maximizing-tickets-99911748730?aff=ebdssbeac

Lesley Everett
CEO Walking TALL Training & Consulting, Inc.
Award-winning International Keynote Speaker | Brand Coach | Author | President of Global Speakers Federation 2014
www.lesleyeverett.com
www.walkingtall.org

‘Putting values back in business’