The Chamber is here for businesses in good times and bad

Bennett Napier
Your Turn
Bennett Napier

COVID-19.

It’s been the main topic on the minds of everyone for the last eight to nine weeks. The coronavirus has impacted every individual, every household, every business and every community across the United States.

Although, the worst may be over, the lingering effects will continue to disrupt our economy for the foreseeable future.

It has been wonderful to see the Tallahassee community come together during this pandemic. Whether its local government taking quick action to provide emergency grants to qualifying businesses; every day citizens making personal protective equipment; or people supporting local restaurants by engaging in deals/promotions promoted on Facebook groups like Tallahassee Foodies, the community spirit is alive and well.

Tallahassee, is the center of state government, but in times like these, it becomes very visible that we are not just a government town. We have thousands of small businesses in our backyard across a variety of sectors and many have had to lay off or furlough employees.

The Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce has been a rock for our local small businesses during this pandemic, bringing content on a daily basis to both members and non-members.  I have seen so many business people making decisions during COVID based on inaccurate or confusing information. The Chamber has saved us time and money, by doing the homework for us, and the organization has delivered the right content, at the right time by qualified professionals.

The Chamber is a one stop shop for business resources and their coronavirus coverage is available online via a dedicated page, https://www.talchamber.com/coronavirus/.

The content is categorized by topic area and provides access to previously held webinars; links to government assistance resources; and a portal for Jobs Now (a program launched by the Chamber to help match displaced workers with businesses that are actually hiring during this crisis).

The tools and resources the Chamber has, and will continue to deliver, will assist our community’s businesses to stay in business, and foster the ability for many of them to retain or rehire their valued employees.

I have personally been involved in Chamber activities for 25 years and could not be prouder or more thankful for the support and resources the organization has provided our local business during this crisis. If you have not considered joining the Chamber, I hope you will. Businesses need their help now more than ever.

Bennett Napier, CAE is President/CEO of Partners in Association Management. He currently serves as a volunteer leader on the Executive Committee of the Greater Tallahassee Area Chamber of Commerce and Executive Committee of Big Bend Hospice.

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