Greetings!

I hope everyone is safe from Storm Irene. Please be sure to read "News from our Members"  at the link to the right.

There are many resources available to you.   The Chamber has been working with the Governor's Office, State and local officials, SBA, VtSBDC, The Weather Channel, VEDA and fielding calls from visitors.  We are a valuable resource for our region and voice of our business communities.  It's been like nerve central and we are here to serve you.  Some resources that are available:

FEMA.  August 30th, 2011 Status of FEMA efforts:

The President has made an Emergency Declaration for Vermont. This type of declaration allows Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to immediately assist with shelters, National Guard, emergency repairs, etc.  FEMA is gearing up to do Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) in each of the 14 counties. The Goal of this phase is to document sufficient damage to get a Major Disaster Declaration from the President.

If you want information on road conditions, call 511:

"511" provides Vermonters and visitors to the state with information on state road closures. The Agency of Transportation is working 24/7 to update the information as fast as possible. AOT is working on a system to report local roads as well.

If you are an individual and need immediate help, call 211:

"211" is the resource to help individuals access services now and to  register information on individual property damage. (For more information, go to: http://www.vermont211.org/).

If you are a business (for-profit; non-profit; multi-family housing provider, etc.) call 828-3211:

If you are a business looking to report damage to your business or would like to speak to someone about additional resources available, please call 828-3211. The ACCD has set up a system to document damage to businesses and properties (both for and non-profit businesses, including mulit-family housing providers and services) in order to assist FEMA in their collection of information.

Communities are reporting storm damage for inclusion in the preliminary damage assessment.

Communities also need to report damages and that information goes to the Vermont Emergency Management. The link to their site for communities to input information is at http://vem.vermont.gov/home/damage_report and filling out the survey on the site. The Regional Planning Commissions are also helping with emergency management for towns in their region. For contact information for an RPC in your town, go to http://www.vapda.org/.

Documenting Impacts to Historic Properties:

ACCD is helping to document impacts to historic resources for various reasons - a) When FEMA teams begin to work in communities they will be aware ahead of time of damaged/destroyed historic properties and can focus on those; b) It will give the historic preservation community a better sense of the extent and location of major damage and where we can help best during the recovery phase; c) It will help us better plan education and training information and workshops during the recovery phase.

What You Can Do Now:

If you or your property has a significant cultural collection that has been damaged, take immediate corrective action - - if your roof is leaking, put a roof on your building; if your carpets are wet, get them dried. If your collections or museum facility has been damaged, put your Emergency Plan in Place NOW.

FEMA recommends that you:

*         Take lots of photos and document the damage

*         Keep all receipts

*         Document all volunteers who are helping out (you can use this for your cost share) - - Use a "Sign-in" book, with their name, time in, time out

*         Take action NOW to protect your property

NOTE: You may or may not be eligible for FEMA or other federal assistance but in case you are, the above information will be critical.

 

5-1-1 for road information or call the Chamber office.   We are in touch with all other Chambers throughout the State disseminating road information. 

VERMONT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 

58 East State Street

Montpelier, VT 05602

PH: (802) 828-5627   FAX: (802) 828-5474

HURRICANE IRENE ASSISTANCE LOAN PROGRAM

Up to $10 Million is available through VEDA's Hurricane Irene Loan Program to assist Vermont businesses and farms in their efforts to recover from direct physical damage caused by flooding related to Hurricane Irene.

Eligibility & Loan Purposes:

Borrowers eligible to participate include all types of businesses and farms that sustained DIRECT physical flood related damage, such as damage to or loss of inventory, equipment, or business premises,crops, animals, feed or other supplies. Not-for-profit organizations are also eligible. Residences, apartment houses and mobile home parks are not eligible.   

Interest Rates/Terms

The interest rate in this program will be one percent for the first two years with no payments required during the first year. At the beginning of the third year, the rate will adjust for commercial businesses to the VEDA Small Business Loan Program variable index, and for farm loans to the Vermont Agriculture Credit Corporation prime rate.   Loans will be amortized based on how the loan funds will be used.  (VEDA will secure the loan with a security interest in business or farm, real and/or personal property and the personal guarantees of the owners. Loan applicants must demonstrate repayment ability.)

Loan Amounts

The maximum loan amount is $100,000.  

Applications for financing may be obtained via phone at (802) 828-5627, at VEDA's offices in Montpelier or may be downloaded and/or completed on-line at www.veda.org.

Applications will be reviewed and loans approved on a first come-first served basis until available funds are exhausted.

Please contact VEDA at (802) 828-5627 or info@veda.org

for more info.

Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD)  

VTSBDC Post disaster:

• Call your insurance company first.
• You can start cleaning up, but take pictures to document the damages BEFORE you move anything.
• Locate financial information. This is a must to move forward with disaster assistance.
• Develop a list of needs (i.e. inventory, equipment, etc.)
• VtSBDC can assist you. Contact your local office through www.vtsbdc.org 
• Contact local officials for "after" federal disaster declaration

Business Continuity Plan

ð     Emergency contact list of employees and key customers/clients

ð     Insurance policies and agent information

ð     Emergency Action Plan - what are you going to do? Make an outline of first steps and actions...you will be grateful to have thought these first actions through.

ð     Back up computer system/data files (if you are not automatically backing up thru your internet service provider and in that case have your password and any other relevant information)

ð     Voice mail box number and remote password

ð     List of suppliers and vendors

ð     Inventory list (with $ value) and pictures (or video)

ð     Company assets (furniture and machinery - essentially anything non-inventory related that would have to be replaced) list (with $ value) and pictures (or video)

ð     Pictures on interior and exterior of business

ð     Camera to document damage

ð     Legal documents

• The name, phone number and email of your lawyer

ð     Current financial documents

ð     Last 3 year's tax returns

• The name, phone number and email of your accountant

ð     Banking records including info on:

• Checking
• Savings
• Debit card
• Loans
• Line of Credit
• Also the name, phone number and email of your bank contact(s)

ð     A list of credit cards with 800 #'s that the store uses

ð     A list of all other passwords

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It's nice to see the communities all pulling together and helping each other out.  Knockout Carpet wants to let people know to call him - he's ready to help.

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Thanks to The Salvation Army for helping!! 

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Thanks to the Red Cross.  

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Now, back to thank you's from August events:

The Chamber would like to thank the Green Mountain Banquet & Conference Center for hosting and serving great food for our 3rd Annual Business Expo on August 10^th.

40 businesses exhibited their products and services. Thank you to the Message for the Week for being our media sponsor. Thanks to Adam Rosenberg who sang and played his guitar for us. Thank you to the many companies that donated generous free door prizes!  One lucky winner received the grand door prize of a gift basket worth over $100 donated by Peoples United Bank. The silent auction winners were: Dan Cote was the highest bidder for TD Banks wooden Wine Box w/coppola claret. Elaine Corino was the highest bidder for New England Deck and Patio's flowers and ceramic planter. Christina Smith was the highest bidder on Springfield Medical Care Systems bear & fleece zip up. Susan McNeely was the highest bidder for Inn Victoria's 2 high teas. Elaine Corino was the highest bidder on Connecticut River Bank's maple basket and Kathy Sarnes was the highest bidder on Calm Moments Spa Facial w/micro dermabrasion.  

It was great seeing chamber members connecting with one another and being able to learn more about each others' products and services. The venue was a great opportunity for the public to learn about the different businesses that make up the Okemo Valley region, all under one roof.  Feedback from the vendors suggest we have the 4th Annual Business Expo on a Saturday in May next year in conjunction with a home & garden show!   This would bring in more of the public.  Love to hear your thoughts.   

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Thank you Okemo Mountain Resort for hosting a party for chamber members on 8/23 from 4-6 so we could personally experience the new Adventure Zone.  My son and I loved the mini golf, bungee jumping and timber ripper mountain coaster.  Didn't get to play the disc golf yet.

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We have been hosting free continental breakfasts in each town, to share with the community what the Chamber is doing, and what resources we might be able to bring to each community that we serve.   Our last two breakfasts are below. 

            September 15 - Wilder House Restaurant at             President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site in Plymouth  TBD

            October 24 - Bryant House - Weston  

Please join us at 8am.  Feel free to invite a guest

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Chamber Golf Tournament is Thursday, September 15 at Okemo Valley Golf Club.  The golf committee is looking for gift certificates and dinner for two's.  Call the Chamber office with your donations and to sign up your foursome.   All are welcomed. 
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR for this special event:  Wednesday, September 21st  5:30-7:30pm at Bella Luna Ristorante - 2012 Women of Okemo Valley Calendar reveal party!  You don't want to miss this!  Purchase your calendar at the door ($20).  All proceeds benefit the VT/NH Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure for breast cancer and the Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce.  Meet the women who participated in the calendar and you will be able to get them to autograph their page.  We will also be auctioning off select items used in each shoot!!!  This event is for adults only! 

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Would you like to help our Chamber grow?  Consider running for the 2012 Board of Directors.  Please email Marji if you're interested and we'll put you on the ballot!  We meet the first Tuesday of every month from 2:30-4pm.

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