Area Chambers work together to help members

Grafton, Saukville and Belgium directors assist businesses with emergency loan applications
By 
JOE POIRIER
Ozaukee Press Staff

Area Chambers of Commerce are working together to keep their small business members informed about governmental loan programs that can help offset costs during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“As we get more information from the state and federal government relative to small business loans, we’re going to continue try to share as much of that as we can,” Grafton Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Pam King said. “We’re trying really hard not to panic and not panic other people.”

King said a number of her Chamber members have reduced hours, cut employees or have closed their business entirely. She said the pandemic eerily reminds her of the 2008 financial crisis.

“It’s scary because we lost a lot of members in 2008. We’re going to lose some businesses this time as well,” she said. “I heard one expert say losing 20% would be a conservative prediction.” 

Executive Directors Tara Williams and Mike Cosgrove of the Belgium and Saukville Chambers, respectively, said they are also concerned about the lasting impact the virus will have on small business.

“We’re doing a lot of communication with our members as well as communication to the community,” Williams said. “For our members, we are trying to keep them updated with resources that are available now or are going to be in the future.”

The directors said they are working with Ozaukee Economic Development Executive Director Kathleen Cady Schilling to help small businesses of 100 employees or fewer apply for emergency loans. 

On March 17, legislators expanded the Small Business Act’s definition of disaster to include the coronavirus, Schilling said in an email. 

The Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program would provide low-interest loans to small companies and nonprofits that have been severely impacted by the pandemic. 

“The program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing,” according to the agency’s website. 

In addition to the Economic Disaster Injury Program, Small Business Administration officials said the agency provides a number of loan resources to help offset losses during an emergency that range from $14,000 to $5 million.

In the meantime, area Chambers are scrambling to reschedule events that are customarily held this time of year.

Cosgrove said the Saukville Chamber had to cancel its annual business awards banquette earlier this month at Messina Restaurant & Lounge. 

King said the Grafton Chamber was scheduled to have a ribbon-cutting event in April for an in-home health care agency that will likely be postponed. 

“They are swamped right now with what they are trying to do and it wouldn’t probably be the best idea to have people in their business. With the nature of what they do, protecting people is important,” she said, noting the Chamber is still organizing its annual Giro d’ Grafton Tour of America’s Dairyland bicycle racing series this summer.

Williams said she is cautiously optimistic the Belgium Chamber will be able to host its Summer Nights Live concert series.

“Obviously, we’re monitoring everything day by day,” Williams said. “We hope to have community events this summer because I know people are looking forward that after spending all this time at home.”

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Ozaukee Press

Wisconsin’s largest paid circulation community weekly newspaper. Serving Port Washington, Saukville, Grafton, Fredonia, Belgium, as well as Ozaukee County government. Locally owned and printed in Port Washington, Wisconsin.

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Port Washington, WI 53074
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