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  • 07/01/2020 4:38 PM | Bonnie McNair (Administrator)

    July 1, 2020

    The Mills Administration announced today that it is exempting visitors from the States of Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey from the 14-day quarantine requirement or negative COVID-19 testing alternative, effective this Friday, July 3, 2020.

    The decision comes after the Administration reviewed public health data in other states to determine the appropriateness of additional exemptions, like those previously extended to New Hampshire and Vermont. In evaluating these exemptions, the Administration takes into consideration several data measurements, which include but are not limited to, the prevalence of the virus and the positivity rates in other states. In reviewing these metrics, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey, for example, demonstrate a lower positive rate than Maine’s. Additionally, the prevalence of the virus in these states is similar and continues a downward trend.

    Even with this update, Governor Mills continues to strongly recommend that visitors from these states obtain a test before visiting Maine, in order to “Know Before You Go”. Visitors can find COVID-19 testing sites near them via the website https://get-tested-covid19.org/. Those taking reservations for lodging facilities in Maine should advise all visitors that testing is encouraged, even if no longer required for people coming from certain states.

    Furthermore, with more people coming to Maine’s coastal towns and cities, the use of face coverings will become even more important. Governor Mills will issue an Executive Order requiring Maine’s large retail stores, lodging establishments, restaurants, and outdoor bars and tasting rooms in the coastal counties of Hancock, Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Cumberland, and York, and in the more populous cities of Bangor and Brewer and Lewiston and Auburn, to enforce the State’s face covering requirement. In the last week, states across the country, such as North Carolina, Nevada, Washington, and Oregon, have implemented similar strong measures related to face coverings, given the evidence that masks significantly reduce transmission of the virus.

    “When our Administration unveiled the Keep Maine Healthy Plan last month, we said that we would continue to monitor public health data in other states and evaluate whether we could offer additional exemptions to Maine’s quarantine and testing requirements,” said Governor Mills. “In reviewing the objective metrics over recent days and weeks, the States of Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York demonstrate low positivity rates and other encouraging trends in the prevalence of the virus. As a result, we will exempt these states from Maine’s quarantine or test policy. At the same time, as I have said repeatedly, we will continue to remain vigilant against this virus, and Maine people and visitors, as well as businesses and facilities operators, must take every step to protect themselves, their customers, and others around them. Especially seeing the dangerous trends in southern and southwestern states after they lifted restrictions dramatically, we have to take this virus seriously, and we must continue to protect one another.”

    “Maine’s updated policy on visitors is a holistic review of public health metrics that have guided Maine’s fight against COVID-19 from the start,” said Jeanne Lambrew, Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services. “Maine people should be proud of our successes to date, but residents and visitors alike must remain vigilant by wearing face coverings and practicing physical distancing and good hand hygiene.”

    “From the beginning of our reopening process, we have focused on protecting public health and supporting economic activity,” said Heather Johnson, Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. “Every day we work to strike that all important balance, and, with this move, believe we are taking another reasonable and responsible step forward.”

    The Mills Administration’s exemptions come as other states, such as New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, institute and expand their own mandatory 14-day quarantine requirement for some travelers. Other states, such as Rhode Island and Hawaii, have followed Maine’s lead in adopting a negative COVID-19 test as an alternative to quarantine. The Administration will continue to evaluate public health data in other states to determine whether additional states can be granted exemptions. The Administration is particularly focused on northeastern states within driving distance of Maine where most of Maine’s visitors come from.

    “Today I am encouraged as we take another step in reopening our economy and supporting the tourism industry. The decision to add three Northeastern states to the exempt status is welcome news to the Maine Tourism Association and others in the hospitality sector,” says Tony Cameron, CEO of Maine Tourism Association. “The industry is committed to following all health protocols set forth in the Keep Maine Healthy plan.”

    “The Olympia Companies believe that the Governor’s decision is an important step towards welcoming more of our most loyal and valuable guests from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, back to Maine for the summer,” said Rick Martin Director of Operations, Olympia Hotel Management. “The health of our guests and neighbors is a priority, and I’m confident Maine’s tourism industry will ensure safe and healthy experiences throughout the state.”

    These updates also come after the Mills Administration’s approval of almost $9 million in grant awards to nearly 100 municipalities as part of its effort to bolster local COVID-19 prevention and protection efforts under the Keep Maine Healthy Plan. These grants, which utilize Federal funding, help municipalities keep Maine people and visitors safe from COVID-19 by supporting the implementation of measures that promote physical distancing, best public health practices for local businesses, and public health education campaigns, among other initiatives.

    Last month, the Administration unveiled the Keep Maine Healthy Plan, which is a multilayered approach that aims to protect Maine people, protect visitors, and support Maine small businesses by reducing to the greatest extent possible COVID-19 risks associated with travel inherent to tourism. The plan includes three cornerstones: 1) testing as an alternative to the mandatory 14-day quarantine; 2) increasing symptom checks at places where visitors tend to go; and 3) supporting local COVID-19 prevention and protection measures.

    With the vast majority of Maine’s economy reopened under Stage 3 of the Restarting Maine’s Economy Plan, and with more people interacting, it is critical that Maine people and businesses take steps to protect themselves, their businesses, and others by wearing face coverings, keeping six feet apart whenever possible, and washing hands often with soap and warm water.

    Adjusted for population, Maine ranks 7th lowest in the nation in terms of positive cases; 9th lowest in the nation in terms of deaths; 6th lowest in terms of patients ever-hospitalized out of the 36 states reporting; and 4th highest in the percentage of people who have recovered out of the 42 states reporting.



  • 07/01/2020 4:22 PM | Bonnie McNair (Administrator)
    International sales for small businesses

     

    On July 1, 2020, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) enters into force, officially replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). USMCA is a ground-breaking achievement for U.S. small businesses and is the first trade agreement ever to include a full chapter dedicated to small business interests.

    Supporting and expanding U.S. small business trade with Mexico and Canada is a top priority for me as the new Associate Administrator for SBA’s Office of International Trade (OIT). SBA OIT has a team of talented trade finance specialists and finance products to help small businesses involved in international trade to access capital, purchase inventory as a manufacturer or supplier, and expand through trade. OIT helps ensure small businesses are adequately represented in trade negotiations led by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and educates U.S. small businesses on the wide range of federal and state resources that can increase their ability to compete in international trade. 

    Learn more


  • 07/01/2020 8:40 AM | Bonnie McNair (Administrator)

    Concord, NH - Today, Governor Chris Sununu issued Emergency Order #57 and #58 as part of the state's efforts to respond to COVID-19.

    Emergency Order #57 PDF file: Temporary emergency wage enhancement for certain employees of the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation

    Emergency Order #58 PDF file: An order terminating Emergency Order #3

    PDF filePortable Document Format (.pdf) . Visit nh.gov for a list of free .pdf readers for a variety of operating systems.


  • 06/30/2020 4:38 PM | Bonnie McNair (Administrator)

    Governor Janet Mills announced today that she has appointed Reverend Kenneth I. Lewis, Jr., Senior Pastor at Green Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Portland, and Isaiah Reid of Kingfield, a student at University of Maine at Farmington, as her representatives to the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous and Maine Tribal Populations. The announcement follows the Governor’s decision to dedicate $50,000 in funding from the Governor’s Contingent Account to support the work of the Commission. The Governor hopes the Commission will help us more fully understand racial disparities in Maine and how we might address them.

    “I am honored that Mr. Reid and Reverend Lewis have accepted these appointments and I firmly believe that their perspectives will contribute to the work of this important Commission,” said Governor Mills. “I look forward to following the Commission’s work in the weeks and months ahead as together we identify and try to address inequities so that Maine can be a place of equal opportunity for all.”

    “I am grateful to Governor Mills for this appointment and opportunity to serve,” said Reverend Lewis. I look forward to the critical work of this commission to promote and develop equitable opportunities for Maine’s Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.”

    “I would like to thank Governor Mills for offering me the opportunity to serve as a member of this commission,” said Isaiah Reid. “I am eager to begin working with the commission, government, and the people of Maine to together create a state that will equally represent all the people who call it home.”

    Governor Mills is authorized to appoint two individuals to the Commission: a member of the public representing the faith-based community and a member of the public representing youth.

    Photo of Reverend Lewis

    Serving as Governor Mills’ representative of the faith-based community is Reverend Kenneth I. Lewis, Jr, who has served as Pastor of Green Memorial African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Zion Church since 2003. Founded in 1891, the Green Memorial A.M.E Zion Church is the oldest historically African American congregation in the State of Maine. The A.M.E. Zion Church building was the preeminent cultural center for the Black community in southern Maine during the twentieth century. Reverend Lewis currently serves on the Police Citizens Review Subcommittee and previously served as a board member of the United Way of Greater Portland and chaired its Diversity Cabinet, and served on the City of Portland’s Community Development Block Grant Allocation Committee.

    Photo of Isaiah Reid

    Serving as Governor Mills’ representative of Maine youth is Isaiah Reid. Reid is a senior and Dean’s List student-athlete at the University of Maine at Farmington. A native of Kingfield, Maine and 2017 graduate of Mt. Blue High School, Reid represented Maine in Lake Placid, New York at the United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association Nationals in March and was named Student-Athlete of the Week for Men’s Nordic Skiing in February and for Men’s Cross Country in November of last year. Reid recently wrote about his experience with racism in Maine in the Bangor Daily News.

    Signed into law by Governor Mills last year, the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous and Maine Tribal Populations seeks to promote, implement and coordinate programs that create and improve opportunities and incorporate the goal of eliminating disparities for historically disadvantaged racial, indigenous and tribal populations in Maine. However, the Commission was only appropriated $500 to support its work and it requested additional funding from the Governor in a June 18 letter. In providing the $50,000 in one-time funding to help jumpstart the Commission, the Governor also called on the Legislature to provide a sustained annual source of funding for the Commission to be able to continue its work.

    In Maine and across the country, racial and ethnic minorities have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), in coordination with the Governors Coronavirus Response Team, is committed to responding to this crisis. DHHS Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew recently outlined the Department’s plan to address the disparities, which include expanding access to testing and health coverage; supporting individuals in quarantine or isolation; providing psychological first aid to first responders and social services to those impacted by the virus and supporting group home workers and parents during the pandemic. Read more about those efforts.

    Get more information on the Commission.


  • 06/30/2020 4:33 PM | Bonnie McNair (Administrator)


    Eversource Enhances Small Business Energy Efficiency Offerings 

    In an effort to help small businesses reduce their energy costs and impact on the environment during this difficult time, Eversource is offering enhanced incentives on energy saving measures for small businesses.

    Any small business in Eversource service territory can call 1-866-554-6025 to learn more and request an energy assessment. If a customer has concerns about COVID-19 and doesn’t want a technician to visit their business at this time, they also have the option of a virtual assessment via phone or video call.

    After the assessment, you will receive a report outlining energy saving opportunities, many that can be installed on the spot for instant savings. You will also receive information on rebates and incentives to offset costs of additional energy saving recommendations. If you participate in a virtual assessment, energy-saving products you can install yourself, such as LED lightbulbs or advanced power strips, will be mailed to you.

    The enhanced incentives will be available through August 15, 2020 or while funding lasts.

    Eversource is hosting a webinar on July 2 at 8:30 A.M. which will cover these enhanced incentives as well as billing and payment assistance options for small business customers. Please register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3818422871614940943

  • 06/30/2020 4:23 PM | Bonnie McNair (Administrator)

    Grant Application Filing Period: July 6-July 17, 2020

    Governor Chris Sununu has authorized the allocation and expenditure of CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (“flex funds”) to provide emergency financial relief to support New Hampshire self-employed, for-profit businesses due to the economic disruption caused by COVID-19.

    Important Dates & Timeline:

    • Application Period: July 6, 2020 – July 17, 2020

    • Deadline to File a Completed Application: July 17, 2020

    The Self Employed Livelihood Fund is only available to businesses that apply by July 17, 2020. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. All businesses who feel as though they are eligible should submit an application; however, only businesses that meet all of the Self Employed Livelihood Fund grant criteria are eligible to receive an award.

    The Self Employed Livelihood Fund grant award amounts will be calculated similarly to the Main Street Relief Fund, with the maximum award amount a business can receive is $50,000.

    The State of New Hampshire is not directing businesses on how to spend the money. Businesses must demonstrate they have experienced or anticipate they will experience a financial loss due to COVID-19 in order to qualify for a Self Employed Livelihood Fund Grant. It is expected that businesses will use the funds to assist in covering their operational costs and legal obligations.

    The Application must be completed and submitted by 4:00 PM on Friday, July 17, 2020, using only the Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) web portal. No hand-delivered or mailed paper copies will be accepted. It is recommended that applications be finalized as early as possible before the deadline. Businesses that require assistance from the DRA may contact the Call Center, which is available at (603) 230-5000, Option 0, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.


    View most recent information here:

    https://www.goferr.nh.gov/covid-expenditures/new-hampshire-self-employed-livelihood-fund-self

  • 06/30/2020 4:11 PM | Bonnie McNair (Administrator)

    If you are a Somersworth business that has job openings that are proving difficult to fill, please forward the overview of the position to Robin Comstock.

    Robin A. Comstock
    Economic Development Manager
    Monday-Thursday 8:30-4:00
    O (603) 692-9516|M (603) 496-5841
    rcomstock@Somersworth.com


    The states offices of Business and Economic Affairs ( BEA)  is now  working directly with communities on the Seacoast to assist them in filling positions with employees from  the state of New Hampshire. Once you forward your position overview to Robin, she will send it to her contact at the BEA office.

  • 06/30/2020 4:09 PM | Bonnie McNair (Administrator)

    University of New Hampshire Internship Program

    The UNH campus is opening back up for in-person instruction starting Monday, August 31st, including the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics’ Entrepreneurship Internship course.  The course, now in its 21st year, places Paul College business students in entrepreneurial ventures at various stages of business development, and with firms that service the entrepreneurial sector.  The students are all entrepreneurship majors, in their senior year, with an interest in gaining experience in a variety of areas, including finance, business analytics, marketing, sales, business development and real estate. The students are excited to be coming back to campus to finish up their senior year, and look forward to the exposure and experience of working with interesting companies and the contact with business professionals at these organizations.

     

    UNH  recognizes that COVID-19 has impacted businesses in many ways and that internships may look a bit different this fall.  However, the  program’s priority remains unchanged – providing real-world business opportunities to UNH seniors.  This includes working and interacting with supervisors and co-workers in an in-person business environment whenever possible.  The UNH  program will also consider remote internships.

     

    The Internship Course Basics:

    • In-class lecture twice a week for the semester
    • Internship 8-10 hours/week outside the classroom for 13 weeks
    • Internships are Unpaid – students receive course credit
    • Company participation fee ($500-$750 per intern) based on travel time from Durham Campus
    • Prefer companies within 1-hour drive from Durham Campus
    • Start dates: Interview with intern week of 9/7/20; Internships week of 9/14/20
    • Internship end date: week of 12/7/20

     

    Additional Company Requirements – COVID-19

    • Companies offering in-person internships must have social distancing policies in place in alignment with UNH and the State of NH/CDC guidelines*, including wearing masks and limiting large gatherings.
    • Ability to pivot in-person internship to remote internship if necessary:
      • UNH determines that all classes are required to pivot to remote learning mode for a portion/remainder of the fall semester
      • Company requires its personnel to pivot to work remotely
      • Intern needs to self-quarantine for a period of time

    * State of NH/CDC guidelines may change over the time frame of the Fall semester and companies are expected to make any necessary changes required.

     

    If you are interested in offering an Internship to UNH  students, or learning more about the program, please contact The program coordinator  directly.

     

    Contact

     

    Laura Hill ‘88

    Educational Program Coordinator

    Entrepreneurial Studies Option

    Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics

    10 Garrison Avenue

    Durham, NH 03824

    Office: 603-862-3341

    Laura.Hill@unh.edu


  • 06/30/2020 4:07 PM | Bonnie McNair (Administrator)


  • 06/30/2020 9:55 AM | Bonnie McNair (Administrator)

    Concord, NH - Today, Governor Chris Sununu issued Executive Order 2020-14, along with Exhibit J to Emergency Order #29 as part of the state's efforts to respond to COVID-19.

    PDF filePortable Document Format (.pdf) . Visit nh.gov for a list of free .pdf readers for a variety of operating systems.


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ABOUT THE FALLS CHAMBER

The Falls Chamber of Commerce is a professional association of businesses in  the falls area.  We are the catalyst that facilitates business growth , prosperity, partnership and success for our members. 

CONTACTS

Bonnie McNair 

Executive Director

info@thefallschamber.com
603.749.7175
office hours by appointment: 472 High Street, Somersworth NH 03878

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