Weekly Update: June 2020

COVID-19 Updates




The Washington County Chamber of Commerce is here to support our Members and community during this troubling time, so please reach out to us if there is anything we can do.

For precaution, we have canceled all meetings in the Chamber building until further notice. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Below, you will find important information on how to protect your families and yourselves from COVID-19 (aka: coronavirus) and guidance and assistance for operating a business during this time.

Please remember to remain calm, wash your hands, and practice proper safety precautions as is the standard for all contagious illnesses.

Stay safe out there!

















To learn more about the new Federal tax date and how it might effect you, click here.

 



In order to assist the community during this time, the UGA Archway Partnership created this helpful guide with information and resources involving COVID-19. To view the resource guide, feel free to click here.

Produce Safety Guide

Handling Groceries during COVID-19

Sanitizing Reusable Grocery Bags



Georgia farmers and agricultural producers eager to sell abundant supplies of fresh produce and other products are being connected with consumers and other buyers who need their products through a new partnership between University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Georgia Grown program.
 
Because of disruptions to the industry triggered by the COVID-19 crisis, many agricultural producers in Georgia — particularly smaller growers and producers — are experiencing difficulties getting their products out to those who can use them.
 
Through its Georgia Grown Ag-products Industry Promotion and E-commerce Promotion programs, Georgia Grown — a state membership program designed to help agribusinesses thrive by bringing producers, processors, suppliers, distributors, retailers, agritourism and consumers together — will waive all membership fees for the service until July to help producers affected by the crisis.
 
 “The first step is facilitating connections between consumers and growers. There are many people who are looking for fresh produce and cannot find it and we have producers who have produce and cannot sell it,” said Laura Perry Johnson, associate dean for Extension at UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
 
Types of agricultural products that qualify for the program include everything from vegetables, fruits and other produce to seafood, meats, dairy, poultry products and any other agriculture-related products, such as honey and prepared foods.
 
“We are getting a lot of interest from many types of buyers, including consumer, wholesale, food banks and some restaurants,” said Matthew Kulinski, deputy marketing director for Georgia Grown. “This is a good way for producers who normally sell to restaurants to have a new outlet for their produce.”
 
Georgia farmers who are keeping regular hours, providing curbside pickup, home delivery or ecommerce sales during the COVID-19 crisis can join the programs by visiting the Georgia Grown Ag-Products Industry Promotion webpage at https://gdaforms.wufoo.com/forms/georgia-grown-agproducts-industry-promotion/ or the Georgia Grown E-Commerce Promotion page at https://gdaforms.wufoo.com/forms/georgia-grown-ecommerce-promotion/ and filling out forms that will add their information to a statewide database of producers that will be shared with consumers and buyers.  
 
UGA Cooperative Extension will support the program through its network of dedicated agents and specialists throughout the state who have relationships with local producers and community members who can benefit from the program. 
 
“This is a grassroots effort that starts with all of our Extension agents, specialists and coordinators who have the relationships with these growers, producers and farmers,” said Johnson. “We are working on several different ways to get this information out to producers and consumers, including our Extension website emergency resources page (extension.uga.edu/topic-areas/timely-topics/emergencies.html) and through traditional and social media. Together we can make this into something that will not only help agriculture in Georgia, but the people who need access to fresh food as well.”
 
For consumers who are interested in picking their own produce, Georgia Grown also provides a Pick your Own list of all producers who offer that option on their farms at georgiagrown.com/find-georgia-grown/agritourism/pick-your-own/ . ​



 

Chamber Events and News



To register, please contact the Chamber at 478-552-3288 or chamber@washingtoncountyga.com.

This is an online event and you will be sent the login information!





To view the recording of this BRE Webinar, click here!

Local Business


We have attached a link that includes the newest Executive Order from Governor Kemp. This will take place starting Friday, April 24th. Due to the size of the files, we weren't able to upload them directly to the newsletter, so please click the following link to view them:
  
https://www.gachamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Final_GA-Reopening-1.pdf
 
 
 
For updated CDC Guidelines for Businesses, click here:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fspecific-groups%2Fguidance-business-response.html
 
 
For a special DPH Poster that can be used within businesses, click here:

file:///C:/Users/Chamber-Pres/Downloads/CoronaVirus_Handwashing_Final_3.3.pdf





Over $204 million in lottery funds have been returned to Washington County between 1994 to present. To learn more visit:

https://www.galottery.com/en-us/benefitting-georgia/county-proceeds.html



















Here are our current hours of Operation thru the end of May at Geo.'s Quarters!

Come Shop! Limit to 4 shoppers at a time!
 

WACO Schools



Washington County School Board is excited to announce that we have partnered with Chapman Trading Co. and have a new way to honor our Class of 2020!
 
Chapman Trading Co. has designed a t-shirt for our Seniors! You now have the chance to sponsor the Class of 2020 by purchasing a shirt that will go to a Senior. We need to sell a minimum of 1 shirt for each Senior. The more shirts we sell, the better! The proceeds will go to a scholarship fund for the Class of 2020.
 
Please call Chapman Trading Co. or go to  https://chapman-trading-co.printavo.com/…/washington-co--b…/ to purchase a shirt for a member of the Class of 2020!
You do not need to have the name of a specific student.

Once we have 1 shirt purchased for each member of the Senior class, Chapman's will print the shirts and mail them. They will be using a list that is provided by the school. If we cannot sell 1 shirt for each member of the senior class, your money will be refunded.





In appreciation to our Armed Forces during National Military Month we are offering an application fee waiver to all active duty military and their dependents during the month of May.

To register:
https://lnkd.in/eHJYgMs





UGA is offering 10 FREE continuing education courses to the public that "cover a variety of hard and soft skills and apply to workers across a wide range of industries and fields" and will be available at no cost through June 30.
Visit the ink below for more information and/or to register. Self-paced and online.

https://news.uga.edu/10-free-continuing-education-courses/





In light of the current health issues and concerns resulting from the coronavirus (COVID-19), OFTC has suspended face-to-face classes and has resumed classes in an online format. During this period, email is the best way of reaching offices and employees. Students and employees should continue to monitor emails daily and the OFTC website for current information and resources. We will respond accordingly!​

OFTC’s Jon Tanner Named Dura-Line's 2019 Employee of the Year



When Jon Tanner started taking business management classes at Oconee Fall Line Technical College (OFTC) last January, he never thought it would lead to him being recognized as Dura-Line's 2019 Employee of the Year. But during a luncheon to honor Dura-Line's 12 employees of the month for 2019, Tanner was named employee of the year. “It is one of my proudest achievements,” Tanner said. “It was a bit unexpected because there were 11 other really great employees to choose from.” Although unexpected, Tanner’s achievement was not unmerited.​

To read more, click here.



Now Hiring!


Sandersville Railroad

Click here to view the job posting!




 

The Washington County Chamber of Commerce





 
Chamber of Commerce Weekly Newsletter - Weekly Update: June 2020