Conifer Chamber Weekly Update

Monday, May 18, 2020

Funding Updates
Jeffco Grant for Small Businesses: (I'm VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS!)
The commissioners have approved a portion of the county funds from the CARES ACT to go to businesses in unincorporated Jefferson County! Details, dollar amounts and the steps to apply will be coming shortly! Stay tuned!

Alternative Funding Ideas:
Colorado Lending Source, a non-profit small business lender, has an emergency loan program available for rural-based businesses affected by the pandemic. These are $10,000 loans with a fixed interest rate at 3% and no payments due for the first six months.
You can find more details https://www.coloradolendingsource.org/articles/small-business-emergency-loanshere .

The Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade has a great chart of Alternative Funding Sources https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18B-l5Rz8XE14Bn9LdQ1a8oDOpi6kKB1p0v2L_qQtVBE/htmlview?usp=sharing&urp=gmail_linkLINK TO LIST

Reopening Jeffco
Governor Polis announced today that he will be announcing the next phase to the public order on Monday, May 25th and will be sharing with restaurants guides to this next order by Friday of this week. Dr. Mark Johnson with Jefferson County Public Health stated that with the current information he thinks Jefferson County will be in line with the next order from the Governor and we will not need to institute additional guidelines. Of course, their comments are all dependent on the numbers of cases that take place this week, but we are hopeful this next order begin soon!

https://www.jeffco.us/4048/Communications-ToolkitClick to Access JCPH’s Communications Toolkit for Businesses
Please use and/or adapt these tools to help communicate Safer-at-Home guidance to our community. The toolkit includes signage for your entrance, posters for employees, social media graphics and more.

https://www.jeffco.us/4047/Safer-at-Home-OrderClick to Access the Guidance for Businesses & Organizations
The above link for guidance has been prepared to help businesses safely transition to the Safer-at-Home level of our community’s COVID-19 response.

Relaunch Team
Monday Howl
Join your Chamber pals on Mondays as we show our appreciation for healthcare and front line workers together. Follow the link to the Zoom room, bring your phone or laptop outside with you and howl until your hearts content! Zoom room is open 7:55-8:05 Monday evenings. Click the following link to register for the Zoom Howl Room! www.goconifer.com/events/details/chamber...ndarMonth=2020-05-01

Let the community know you are open!

SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS 
-Post your open hours/ curbside pick up options
-Let people know your store guidelines/ expectations on staying safe (wearing masks, will you have sanitizer, etc)
-Interact with your customers- it is called social media for a reason... be social!
-Need content? Share what you have been doing to help during this time
-Think outside the box, how can your business benefit from social media?
-Get in the habit of asking for a social media mention with every transaction

AT YOUR LOCATION
-Put up a sign with expectations and guidelines you are following
-Have hand sanitizer
-Pass out masks

ON YOUR WEBSITE
-Let people know how your business has changed, post your new hours, post your new policies.
-Still offer online ordering with curbside pick up? Let people know!

THROUGH THE CHAMBER
-Post a HOT DEAL with your new hours and new policies.
-Have a deal or incentive? Include that in your HOT DEAL.
-Update your member page.

THROUGH CHAMBER MEMBERS
Marketing is more important now than ever before!
Talk with other chamber members and advertise in the community!
CLICK HERE for a list of members that can help market your business. www.goconifer.com/list/QL/advertising-media-1

Watch for more RELAUNCH action ideas as businesses and communities become more able to interact safely.

Upcoming Classes:
Attend the "Marketing NOW" series every Thursday from 3:00 - 4:00 pm, hosted by Mindy Hansen with AlphaPixel Reach. Many topics have been or will be taught including Claiming and Updating your Business on Google, Communicating through Newsletters, Social Media for Businesses: How and Why; How well is your Website working - Can you improve it?; Getting the word out: Digital Marketing 101.


Three-Part Series Win the War on Covid-19. This regions first Instructional event on the background and defense of this menace virus designed for businesses.
Explore methods to defeat this invisible enemy and protect your family, staff, customers, or residents.
2nd Session: Friday May 22nd 4:00pm MST

Click on the chamber calendar for registration to these classes. https://www.goconifer.com/events/calendarcatgid/3Chamber calendar .