- June First Sunday and July Summerfest are cancelled.
- IF there is an August First Sunday: The PBA will have a table at First Sunday to promote the PBA and PBA members. It will be staffed by a Board member and a PBA member. You can contact PBA to volunteer, a list will be kept so everyone gets a chance.
–If you staff it, you will be promoting both PBA and your business (for free). WE NEED YOUR COUPONS!! and brochures for the table. The staff at the table will hand out your coupons and promote all PBA businesses – if we have your materials! Drop off materials at New Horizons Downtown anytime.
–There will be dog treats and a water bowl and kid treats at the PBA table as well.
The JUNE MEMBERSHIP MEETING will be Wednesday, June 10th at 9 am
The May Meeting: From the Speaker-Alyssa Byrd
- The May PBA Membership Meeting was held over Zoom.
- We heard from Alyssa Byrd from Chatham County Economic Development Corporation about COVID-19 programs and the folks who were on Zoom.
- Programs:
- SBA EIDL (Economic Impact Disaster Loan): https://www.sba.gov/page/disaster-loan-applications
- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares/assistance-for-small-businesses
- NC Rapid Recovery Loan: https://ncrapidrecovery.org/
- Chatham Loan Fund: being finalized. Call the EDC.
- Reopening Guidance We created a guide available at reopeninghelp.com.
- SURVEYS:
Regional Skills Analysis
Rebuilding our workforce and quickly adapting to our new “normal” is important. All of the businesses in Chatham can help us by completing the Regional Skills Analysis survey conducted by RTI in partnership with Wake County Economic Development. By taking the survey, you’ll be entered to win a gift card to help support a local small business. Complete the survey: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5443837/Chatham-County
Triangle J Council of Governments
How has your small business been impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic? Please take five minutes to share your experience with Triangle J Council of Governments. Your response will help us understand issues better, so our region can best assist and respond as we apply for new U.S. Economic Development Administration funding. Link to the survey: Small Business COVID-19 Impact Survey
From the membership…
- Everyone on Zoom had a few minutes each to share their COVID-19 experience to this point and their reopening plans. Lots of information about grants, loans, etc was exchanged. How long each took and how much follow up was needed for different government program were discussed. Reopening plans with dates and conditions were mentioned. How much PPE and where to get it and the cost was shared.
- Greg Lewis at Roadhouse is currently providing meals for those that depended on school for meals and would appreciate donations to help with that effort (donation button on their website).
- Michael Fiocco said the town of Pittsboro is doing their budget for the next year and are struggling with predictions of costs and revenue in the time of COVID-19. The sewer expansion is about 2 years behind schedule, for which there are many reasons. The town hall project is on course. Hiring a new town manager is on schedule and when hired will hire their own new police chief.
- The Pittsboro Welcome Center sponsored by Main Street Pittsboro is scheduled to be open by the end of July.
- Alyssa was thankful for all the information from PBA businesses.
Membership Survey Opened May 14 AND WILL CLOSE TOMORROW, FRIDAY!!!
- SURVEY LINK: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XT2MS65
- PBA has more paid members in 2020 than in 2019, but fewer than in 2018. And we wonder why. Help the Board understand.
- The Membership Survey came out May 14th in an email to the address you gave PBA for your contact. The survey went to both members and non-members. If you know someone or a business or organization that we should get their feedback, email me and I’ll get the survey to them.
- If you’ve replied, THANK YOU, if you haven’t, do so now.
- The point of the survey is to understand what members want and expect and see what PBA can do.
- If you have questions or suggestions email me: [email protected].