Chamber Update

Chamber Members, Partners, and Friends
 
The Fayetteville Chamber is fully committed to serve our members and remain active supporters of our community just as we have for more than 130 years.  As of Monday, May 4 we are no longer working in a remote environment and have reopened the office. The Chamber office hours remain the same, Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., and Friday from 8:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m.  You can reach us during normal business hours by e-mail, and phone.  We welcome appointments, and we will arrange on site visits in a safe manor ensure all appropriate safety measures are taken, including but not limited to; social distancing, wearing of masks, sanitizing door handles, chairs, tables etc.  For questions about these specific areas please see the following:
 
 Website and Social Media content
     Brianna Hunter, Creative Director;  Office: (479) 345-8952  Email: bhunter@fayettevillear.com
 
Fayetteville Adult Leadership, Fayetteville Teen Leadership and Leadership Alumni
     Jennifer Irwin, Director of Leadership;  Office: (479) 345-8951  Email: jirwin@fayettevillear.com
 
Washington County Leadership class,  Finance and Account Payable   
     ​Jill Abshier, Operations Officer;  Office: (479) 345-8956  Email: jabshier@fayettevillear.com
 
Economic Development, Fab-Lab 
     Zane Chenault, Chief Economic Development Officer;  Office: (479) 345-8957  Email: zchenault@fayettevillear.com 

City and County Government 
     Taylor Shelton, Government Affairs Director;  Office: (479) 345-1411  Email: tshelton@fayettevillear.com

Eblast, Accounts Receiveable and Ribbon Cuttings
​Brenda Turner, Office Support Manager;  Office:  (479) 521-1710  Email:  bturner@fayettevillear.com

Robotics Center 
     Josh Watson, Regional Robotics Training Center Director;  Office: (479) 345-8958  Email: jwatson@fayettevillear.com

Events, Sponsorships, Membership 
     Michelle Cothern, Director of Community Resources, Cell: (870) 318-5384, Office: (479) 345-8953 Email: mcothern@fayettevillear.com
This information below is intended to provide general information to our members and should not be considered legal advice.  While we at the Chamber make every effort to ensure this information is accurate, we provide no guarantee that it is error free.  As a convenience to our members, we have provided links to third party websites.  The Chamber does not recommend nor endorse the contents of these websites, nor the content found on these websites.  The Chamber and its employees disclaim any liability due to actions that the reader may take or fail to take based on the information provided.

Chamber Resources

Ribbon Cutting COVID-19 Procedures
As we start doing Ribbon Cuttings again, we want to be sure to keep our members and community healthy and safe! Due to the impact of COVID-19, Ribbon Cuttings will look slightly different due to additional safety precautions that are being taken to ensure the well-being of those in attendance. 

Business Resources

CARES Act - Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Reauthorized
Ready for Business Grant Program
​The State of Arkansas through the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) is launching a new grant program designed to assist Arkansas businesses prepare to transition back to operations.  The Ready for Business Grant Program provide grant funding from $1,000 to $100,000, the funded is determined based on the number of W2 Full Time Employees (FTE) a company had on March 1, 2020. 
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
The CARES Act was signed into law on Friday, March 27, 2020. This $2 Trillion Bill provides benefits to individuals, small businesses, big corporations, hospitals, and public health organizations, federal safety net, state and local governments, and education. A component of this Act is the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) which authorizes up to $349B in forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees and certain other expense during the COVID-19 health emergency. 
Small Business Administration (SBA) - Economic Injury Disaster Loan
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The State of Arkansas has been approved for small businesses to begin applying for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration. ​
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)
The CARES Act is a Bill designed to provide emergency assistance and health care response for individuals, families, and businesses affected by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. This Bill was signed into law on Friday, March 27, 2020. This $2 Trillion Bill primarily provides benefit to seven groups: individuals, small businesses, big corporations, hospitals and public health, federal safety net, state and local governments, and education. This Bill should help to alleviate some of the worst economic impacts related to crisis.
Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) Quick Action Loan Program
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) has established a Quick Action Loan Program (QALP) funded through $4M from Governor Hutchinson’s Quick Action Closing Fund and $3M from Attorney General Rutledge’s Consumer Education and Enforcement Fund.  The QALP will prioritize loan requests from businesses that are in the supply chain for essential goods and services, with emphasis on healthcare, food manufacturers, and logistics.  This program will provide loan and loan guarantees to business in Arkansas that are impacted by the COVID-19 heath emergency.​
Chamber Coronavirus Business Toolkit
The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to helping our members and the community at large during this health emergency. One of the ways we can help is to ensure you have up to date and accurate information relating to programs, both private and public, that will assist you, your family, your friends and your business during this time. We are at your service and are proud to be here to help in any way possible. Please contact the Chamber with any questions you may have, we will get you answers. Below is a Business Toolkit listing several programs with direct links to source material. 

Partner Organizations

The City of Fayetteville
The City of Fayetteville’s Economic Vitality Department has a webpage dedicated to business resources relating to the COVID-19 health emergency.  This department is responsible for the City of Fayetteville’s economic development.  The site is updated with information for business owners and individuals alike.
The University of Arkansas Small Business & Technology Development Center and the Northwest Arkansas Council
The University of Arkansas Small Business & Technology Development Center and the Northwest Arkansas Council are partnering to offer expanded services to small businesses in the region who are facing an economic downturn related to the COVID-19 health emergency.  They have added business consultants and access to human resources professionals, lawyers, CPAs, and business coaches to assist local business in applying for the new loans and grants the federal and state governments have approved.
Startup Junkie
Startup Junkie Consulting works with local entrepreneurs offering consulting services at no cost.  They provide one on one consulting, events and workshops designed to help local businesses grow.  There is a section of their website that has up to date information on COVID-19 help for businesses.
Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce
The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas are private are non-profit corporations each with its own officers and directors, but both share headquarters and professional staff in Little Rock.  Information related to the health emergency can be found on a dedicated page.
US Chamber of Commerce
 The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, and sectors throughout the United States.  Members include very small companies to some of the largest corporations in America as well as leading industry associations.  Information relating to COVID-19 updates for business is on their webpage front and center.
Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC)
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), the driving force behind the State’s growth has a page specifically for information on assistance to both businesses and employees impacted by the Coronavirus Health Emergency.  The entire team has redirected its efforts to ensuring businesses and employees have access to the assistance needed to get us all through this.  They have compiled a list of resources and program and update their site regularly

Miscellaneous Resources

​The link listed below is a poster created by the WHO on how to properly wash your hands. This process represents the best practice and general information currently recommended. We would like to especially thank Ashley Grader For pointing this out, she manages a free informational site that provides training materials for Certified Nursing Assistants, and one of the skills that CNAs must demonstrate properly before being certified is hand washing CNA Training Classes - How to properly wash your hands.
Personal Protective Equipment Vendors
The attached list is an un-audited list of vendors and the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) they manufacture or supply. This list was compiled from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) and the Northwest Arkansas Council (NWA Council). None of these organizations have been vetted by nor are being recommended by the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, the AEDC, the ADEM, nor the NWA Council. This list is merely meant as informational. You must have your purchasing department fully vet any of these vendors prior to making a purchase." 
Unemployment Assistance During COVID-19
Northwest Arkansas COVID-19 Local Healthcare Resources:
Joint Statment sent on behalf of the Northwest Arkansas health care providers
Northwest Arkansas Health Systems Work Together Screening, Treating, Containing the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Messages of social distancing, hand hygiene and being informed on appropriate screening and testing

Chairman's Leadership Circle