YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -  The Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce is helping businesses emerge from the aftermath that the coronavirus will leave on the economy. 

Many businesses need a financial lifeline after stay-at-home initiatives were put in place.

Deserted streets and signs on many business windows stating business closed due to coronavirus are commonplace. 

The financial losses are now devastating to many small businesses.

That's why the Regional Chamber began its "Emerge in this Valley Together" program.

The chamber began discussing the frequently asked questions by business owners who need help.

The Cafaro Company has started an emerge program and agreed to let the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce use the brand name. 

On Monday, the chamber announced businesses are welcome to go to its website for information to help them navigate through these tough financial times.

"Anyone can go to regionalchamber.com, the first page is called emerge, the second is COVID-19. The first page has information on how the chamber can help you. The second page has information on resources at the state and local level businesses can use to help them," said President and CEO of the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce Tom Humphries. "Businesses have questions about where do they go for information, grants, loans, SBA, how to apply, so getting them to the right persons at financial institutions in our community, whether they must pay taxes on schedule or whether they can pay later without a penalty, legally insurances, workers comp, copay's for if people do have this virus, where do I go to get tested, business letterhead how do I do layoffs, independent people who have their own 1099, how do I approach it, am I eligible for unemployment. "

The chamber has a member of its board of directors and staff who will work to provide answers to questions as businesses navigate through uncharted waters and challenges.

With the support of the Regional Chambers Don Kline, President of the Great Lakes Group for Mercy Health, members stand by ready to open their virtual doors to any business that needs assistance.

"Emerges philosophy is help now and what's it going to look like once we come out of it. There is a saying here in our Valley, we punch above our weight, we're not quitters, we're survivors and I believe we will come out of this sooner than people think," said Humphries. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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