What's Happening in Champaign County, Ohio?

applying for an SBA economic injury disaster loan for your small business webinar

3/25/2020

We know our small businesses are in crisis. The federal government has declared a national emergency related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Please join Joshua Stutzman from the US Small Business Administration as he explains who is eligible and what steps you need to take to apply for a SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan.

Watch the recorded Webinar here

COVID-19 Business resources

3/24/2020

In response to the continuing COVID-19 crisis, we have compiled a list of resources that may be helpful for business and employees as we continue navigating our present reality. Given the pace of change, this list is not exhaustive, but we will attempt to keep it as current as possible.

Business Resources

STATE OF OHIO
Bureau of Workers’ Compensation

ACTION: Insurance policy payments for March, April, and May can be deferred until June 1st, 2020.
More information on the announcement may be found here.

Department of Commerce

ACTION: The Ohio Department of Commerce is offering a one-time liquor buyback program for bars and restaurants.
Products must have been obtained in the last 30 days and applies to select F2 permit holders too. Click here for more information.

Department of Insurance

ACTION: Insurers must permit employers to continue covering employees under group policies even if the employee would become ineligible due to a decrease in hours worked per week.
View the full bulletin released on March 20thhere.

Department of Jobs and Family Services

ACTION: SharedWork Ohio is a layoff aversion initIative for businesses aimed at curtailing unemployment during economic downturns.
Interested businesses must submit the names and the hourly schedules of employees to be uniformly reduced. JFS will then compensate these employees with unemployment benefits. Employers can find more information on eligibility here. Common questions and answers on evolving JFS policies may be found here.

Department of Transportation

ACTION: A special blanket permit for haulers carrying heavy or oversized loads of food, non-alcoholic beverages, medical supplies, cleaning products, and other household goods has been approved.
More information on the order and the permit can be found here.

TechCred

ACTION: Provides reimbursement for business upskilling employees through a select list of verified skill development programs.
Keep employees engaged from home or utilize downtime by growing employee knowledge. More information and how to apply can be found here.

FEDERAL
Small Business Administration (SBA)

ACTION: Low-interest federal loans for working capital for small businesses and non-profits are now available.
Business owners should apply here.

Department of Labor (DOL)

ACTION: Their Wage and Hour Division has pages up for question on how this emergency affects both the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
How the paid sick leave provision of the second coronavirus bill will be implemented:
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osec/osec20200320
The Department of Labor is working to provide information on labor and employee relations relating to wages and employment as COVID-19 continues to create challenges in the workplace. Click here for more information.

Virtual meetings for small business & manufacturers

3/23/2020

If your business may qualify for the Small Business Association’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, we encourage you to join a webinar with Alex Kohls of the SBA’s Columbus District Office on Tuesday, March 24 at 2:30 p.m. The purpose of this webinar is to walk through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, review the application process, and answer any questions. Here is the link to join the meeting and post questions: https://www.uberconference.com/mshimp. The dial-in conference number is (937) 314-3034. No PIN needed.
The DDC will host a roundtable for defense contractors on Thursday, March 26 at 2:30 p.m. Here is the link to join the Zoom meeting: https://zoom.us/j/489059412.
Does your company have extra personal protection equipment (PPE)? Are you a manufacturer who can make PPE? The White House has created this survey as they seek businesses who can provide/produce large-scale quantities of critical supplies to help the nation respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please let Mitch Heaton know, as well, mheaton@daytonregion.com.
Ohio has launched a major state-wide initiative to assess the damage to businesses. The Ohio Development Services Agency has issued this quick survey for businesses as a way of compiling current and future damage as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Mike DeWine's 2 p.m. press conferences give a reliable and accurate daily update. You can view them on The Ohio Channel. You can also follow his social media accounts.
We encourage you to visit the resources below for more information:
- The State of Ohio has a resource page for businesses.
- The Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services has set up a special COVID-19 website to answer employer and employee questions about unemployment.
- Small businesses and non-profits are now eligible for Economic Injury Disaster loans from the SBA. If your small business will suffer losses due to this pandemic, please visit the SBA Disaster Assistance page to learn more. Those impacted should immediately send their contact information to BusinessHelp@Development.Ohio.Gov. Additional information on the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available at SBA.gov/disaster.

OMA holds conference call for manufacturers

3/23/2020

Today (Monday, March 23) at noon (EDT), the OMA will hold a one-hour conference call for manufacturers to learn more about Ohio's stay-at-home order (which goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. tonight) and what it means for manufacturers.

OMA counsel will provide analysis and respond to questions, and a public health expert will also participate. See panel below.

Registration for the call is not required.

Dial-in number is (866) 432-9903
Access code is 306 416 542
Password is 2684319

Please join us if you can. A recording of the call will be made available as soon as possible.

Panelists for today's call - in order of presentation - are as follows:

Ryan Augsburger, OMA staff, moderator
Jane Neal, AMG Vanadium, Chairman, OMA board of directors
Eric Burkland, OMA president
Martin Tremmel, Public health expert
Scott Corbitt, Anheuser-Busch Companies, Chairman, OMA government affairs committee
Christopher Slagle, OMA General Counsel, Bricker & Eckler
Matthew Koppitch, Counsel to the OMA, Bricker & Eckler
Joelle Kouzham, Counsel to the OMA, Bricker & Eckler
Rob Brundrett, OMA staff, Q&A moderator

lg industrial supply hosts open house

3/5/2020

LG Industrial Supply will be hosting an Open House Saturday, March 7th from 8AM - 4PM.

Stop by 112 Downs Avenue Urbana, OH 43078 and learn more about their business

Local university celebrates developmental disability awareness month

3/4/2020

Urbana University and Champaign County Board of Developmental Disabilities have partnered to celebrate Developmental Disability Awareness Month.

Join them March 25th from 6:30PM - 7:30PM in the Sara Landess Room.

At this event you will have the opportunity to hear from local individuals with disabilities, how some overcome barriers and learn about employment opportunities.

There will be light refreshments and a raffle.

For more information contact Lisa Onuorah at 937-772-9345 or lisa.onuorah@urbana.edu.

local employers can use career fair to find new talent

1/27/2020

Are you a local employer looking for talented individuals? Whether you need full time, part time or have openings for internships, co-op programs or volunteer opportunities, this Career Fair is for you!

Urbana University partners with OhioMeansJobs Champaign County and Champaign Economic Partnership to host Career Fair Tuesday, March 24th from 9am-1pm.

Employers must register by March 8th, click here to register today!

network with young professionals at Spotted cow

1/24/2020

Local iLead Young Professionals group invites you to attend a networking event! Whether you are a young professional or young at heart, all are welcome!

Event takes place Wednesday, February 11 from 5pm-7pm at the Spotted Cow Coffeehouse. Free & open to the public.

Local dentist offers free dentistry day

1/20/2020

Local Dentist office, Darby Dental Smiles will be offering a Free Dentistry Day Saturday, February 8th.

This community outreach is way to support local individuals that may not have access to regular dental services.

All ages are welcome & services include preventative services (cleanings), fillings & extractions.

For more information or to schedule today please call Darby Dental at 937-834-2252.

hospital to unveil new entrance

12/10/2019

A new patient-friendly front entrance on Mercy Health - Urbana Hospital will be dedicated on Monday, with activities also including an open house at the hospital. Workers are shown on Friday putting the finishing touches on the project. Steve Stout | Urbana Daily Citizen

Submitted by Mercy Health to Urbana Daily Citizen

Mercy Health-Urbana Hospital, 904 Scioto St., will host a 2:30 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a 3-4:30 p.m. open house on Monday, Dec. 9, at the facility’s new front entrance.

Previously, outpatients registered in the emergency department, which is a set of stairs or elevator ride down from the front entrance. The hospital’s new entrance allows patients to enter and register in the same place and helps separate outpatients from critical patients.

The new entrance is covered and has automatic sliding doors allowing for protection from the elements and improved wheelchair access, improving the drop-off and discharge process.

Donors funded most of the cost of the $800,000+ improvement, which McCall Sharp Architecture designed and Link Construction built.

The public is invited to the ribbon-cutting and open house to see the new hospital gift shop, registration area for outpatients and waiting area for hospital visitors.

These latest improvements at the hospital follow 2017’s $3 million renovation and service expansion project, which included:
– Building a 10-bed senior behavioral health unit
– Recruitment of an orthopedic surgeon and two general surgeons, which has led to a significant increase in surgery volumes
– Doubling of the MRI service capability from two to four days weekly
– Internal renovations to modernize the facility

Click here to read full article on Urbana Daily Citizen.