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Greater Louisville Inc. The Metro Chamber of Commerce 2019 Chamber of the Year
× Greater Louisville Inc. The Metro Chamber of Commerce

Media Center

May 5, 2020 4:40pm

Re-Opening Considerations: Collaboration, PPE Purchase & New Talent Pipelines

Dear Friends,

As our conversations now turn to re-opening, it is critical that we do not undervalue the importance of bi-state coordination. With Indiana and Kentucky currently slated to reopen on different timelines, Greater Louisville, as a region, will be divided in a way that is not conducive to collaboration.

Just weeks ago, GLI applauded the newly formed cooperation between seven Midwest governors and welcomed coordinated efforts for the economic reopening. However, with the recent announcement of both states re-opening plans, it is unclear which elements or factors were considered to help reduce the barriers and challenges Greater Louisville will face with these seemingly misaligned plans.

We have many citizens who live on one side of the bridge and work on the other. How will this disjointed opening affect those who must cross the bridge into Indiana to work, while they struggle to find childcare in Kentucky? As a bi-state community our focus should be on the best ways to ensure our regional economy remains cohesive. We do not see the river as a divider of our community, and it is essential that it does not become one.

Childcare
GLI understands that re-opening the economy will be hindered if we are unable to also bring childcare centers back online. Advocating for increased access to childcare has been a long-time priority for GLI because our members recognize the barriers that lack of access to childcare create for workforce participation. At a time when we badly need to be bringing employees back to work, we fear that many will be unable to return to their places of business without wide access to childcare services. This will ultimately make it even more difficult for employers to restart operations and get our economy moving again. Recognizing that many childcare centers have remained open over the past several weeks to serve workers at essential businesses and that the CDC has provided ample guidance for these centers, we think that a wider reopening of childcare services should be able to be done safely and promptly. This will be critical to supporting both businesses and working parents in the days ahead.

Masks and Temperature Checks
In a letter to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and senior members of his administration, GLI urged a reevaluation of certain business reopening requirements. Specifically, GLI highlighted the challenges of mandated masking and temperature taking for employers and requested increased flexibility for businesses.  We were pleased to see this guidance updated just yesterday.

Get Your PPE
GLI is working hard to support our business community. As such, we have been sourcing some of the much needed PPE for businesses as we focus on re-opening the economy. If your company is in need of disposable face masks, you can purchase them in packs of 25 for $25.00 (plus sales tax) by placing your order here. We will have the masks available for pick up at GLI offices during scheduled hours throughout the coming weeks. More information on those details coming soon.  For more information, please contact Deana Epperly Karem.

WE NEED YOUR HELP
  • Quality internships are an effective talent pipeline strategy. Universities and high schools are still in need of opportunities for their students and graduates. If your company is still searching for college or high school interns we can assist. Please complete this quick survey to be added to our opportunity database.

    If you are interested in providing an internship but you don’t know where to start- GLI can help. We have job description templates for 50+ positions in key industries. We are also happy to help you develop remote internship opportunities. Please contact Jessie Schook to schedule a complementary consult or check out our internship resource hub.

  • The Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNPE) wants to know how nonprofits are managing through COVID-19. How has the pandemic changed your organization? How do you expect it to change what you do and how you do it by the end of October? Complete this seven-minute survey and tell us how you’re doing.
  • The University of Louisville is looking for small plastic bottles to dispense hand sanitizer into. If your company manufactures or supplies these, please contact John Launius.
  • Louisville Water is asking businesses to safely resume operations as workers return to businesses that have been empty or under used. Properly flushing plumbing is an essential part of that safe, re-opening strategy. After water flows through the meter, building owners are responsible for maintaining water quality. Louisville Water has created a step-by-step guide to help business owners understand how to flush the internal plumbing. Learn how to do that here.

UPCOMING GLI EVENTS
GLI COVID-19 Help: Mental Health Resources
Wednesday, May 6 ● 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Join GLI and Nancy Brooks, Executive Director, from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Louisville to discuss the important topic of mental health management during COVID-19. The presentation will cover the significant cost (both financially and health-wise) mental illness causes on both individuals and families and will focus on what employers can do to support their workforce during this time. With COVID-19 creating uncertainty and anxiety in even the healthiest of people, we will discuss “silent” signs of depression and anxiety and various resources to help workers navigate these challenges.
REGISTER
GLI COVID-19 Help: Caffeine & Quarantine: Chat with Your Chamber
Presented by Park Community Credit Union
Thursday, May 7 ● 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Grab a Coffee and join GLI staff, Park Community Credit Union and other investors for some (virtual) human connection! Get a brief update on GLI, see some familiar faces, and let us know what’s going on with you! If you’ve been missing your networking events, this is the next best thing!
REGISTER
GLI COVID-19 Help: Caffeine & Quarantine: Chat with Your Chamber
Presented by Park Community Credit Union
Thursday, May 11 ● 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Grab a Coffee and join GLI staff, Park Community Credit Union and other investors for some (virtual) human connection! Get a brief update on GLI, see some familiar faces, and let us know what’s going on with you! If you’ve been missing your networking events, this is the next best thing!
REGISTER
GLI COVID-19 Help: The Latest from the UofL Department of Infectious Disease
Thursday, May 14 ● 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. 
Join GLI and Professor Ruth Carrico PhD with University of Louisville’s internationally recognized Department of Medicine’s Division of Infectious Disease for an update and the latest information about our region’s continued COVID-19 response strategy including updates on testing and best practices for industry re-opening. The discussion will close with a live Q & A session so be sure to submit your questions in advance or come prepared to post during the webinar.
REGISTER
For sponsorship opportunities contact Alana Turner.

UPCOMING PARTNER EVENTS
Workforce Wednesday with Louisville Urban League: Sharpen Your Interview Skills with Ashley Duncan
Wednesday, May 6 ● 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Ashley N. Duncan is the Diversity Hiring Specialist at Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS).  She has the privilege of supporting the Diversity Equity and Poverty and Human Resource Department by ensuring equity, diversity and access in recruiting, hiring and promotion of all persons. Through her leadership JCPS now has its first Best Practice Hiring Guide.
REGISTER
Other Updates:

  • The Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) has provided some $660 billion in loans to businesses to fund payroll and other expenses. GLI breaks down the forgiveness process here.
  • We know that this crisis is taking a toll on mental health and we recognize that returning workers and employers may face new challenges.  2-1-1 is a free and confidential information and referral service that helps people facing life challenges by connecting them to the local resources they need by organizing helplines and all available resources in one location. It’s available in over 100 languages, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition to the website, you can CALL 2-1-1 or TEXT your zip code to 898211 to connect individuals and families to food, housing, education, health, including mental health and medications, as well as, other resources available in our community.
GLI is collecting the questions we’ve been asked about how COVID-19 impacts your business. To see those responses, click here. If you have a question that you would like answered, submit that below.
SUBMIT A QUESTION
We will continue to work diligently to present the best, most informative information to you on a regular basis.

Stay safe & healthy,
Sarah Davasher-Wisdom
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