Chamber focuses on COVID-19 resources, recovery

As residents and businesses throughout Greater Oklahoma City grapple with the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber remains committed to providing leadership and resources for its members and businesses throughout the region.

To help businesses implement strategies to protect their workforce while ensuring continuity of operations, the Chamber has compiled a list of resources that can help employers navigate the challenges ahead at www.okcchamber.com/COVID19.

The web page features the latest audio of the Chamber’s Tele-Town Hall meetings, updates from health experts and government entities, details about the OKC Small Business Continuity Program and many other resources.

Chamber's latest Tele-Town Hall covers SBA options, OKC's new Small Biz Continuity Program

Many of the Chamber’s divisions have shifted their priorities to meet the needs of members during this unprecedented time.

ECONOMIC EVALUATION DETERMINES COURSE OF ACTION

The Chamber’s economic development team has already completed an evaluation to determine what new roles, responsibilities and duties are needed most by its members and the Oklahoma City business community, according to Jeff Seymour, executive vice-president of economic development.

“It’s important for people to know that we are not doing just triage for the community,” said Seymour. “We are already thinking beyond to what changes will be made and what opportunities this will create so we are on the front burner and ready for those conversations.”

“We believe we are uniquely equipped for the many pieces of this work which has resulted of the COVID-19 virus. As a regional economic development program, we want to make sure we fully utilize our infrastructure to help support our economy,” Seymour said. “Our research team has transitioned to understanding how we can best respond in the short term, understanding what other communities are doing as well.”

Results from Chamber's second COVID-19 point-in-time survey released

“We’re doing outreach to our larger businesses, retailers and entrepreneurs to understand what needs they are facing so we can aggregate those needs as we work to facilitate responses,” Seymour said.

“Additionally, in partnership with our banks and other resource providers, we’re constantly monitoring and providing feedback on state and federal business
resources and communicating that information out to our business and regional community partners,” said Seymour. “Our goal, right now, is to make sure we are getting as many resource tools in front of as many people as possible to help everyone make informed decisions.”

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS REMAINS AMONG TOP PRIORITIES

The government relations division has ramped up their efforts to represent the legislative interests of business during the pandemic.

“Currently, we are working with Oklahoma’s federal, state and local government officials to ensure relief legislation/emergency orders addresses the needs of the OKC business community, including specific needs of Chamber members,” said Mark VanLandingham, senior vice president of government relations and policy.

MEMBERSHIP PROVIDES UNIQUE APPROACH TO PANDEMIC

The membership team of the Chamber is the organization’s first resource for discovering the needs of its members according to Sunny Cearley, Chamber vice
president of membership.

“The membership team has been making direct contact with between 150 and 250 members and former members each day,” Cearley said. “For us, these companies are our all-day, every-day customers and partners. Identifying needs and connecting people with resources, while maintaining a sense of community when we can’t be together in person is our primary goal.”

TELE-TOWN HALL SERIES OFFERS BUSINESSES ABILITY TO LEARN LATEST UPDATES

The Chamber continues to host a series of specially designed tele-town hall meetings allowing members an opportunity to gather information and ask questions regarding plans to assist in the recovery.

Speakers have included Senator James Lankford, Congressman Tom Cole, who gave a briefing on legislation to address the COVID-19 epidemic and its effects.

Chamber's latest Tele-Town Hall covers SBA options, OKC's new Small Biz Continuity Program

Paul Ross and Josh Solberg with McAfee Taft discussed the law as it exists, and specific provisions employers need to know in managing their workforce during this crisis. Their discussion included issues around leave, testing of employees, the impact of new legislation and more. Roger Beverage, Oklahoma Bankers Association, and Dottie Overal, Small Business Administration, discussed funding issues for business impacted by COVID-19.

The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau have moved to a fully remote workforce, but the organizations continue their work for a better Oklahoma City every day. Please email [email protected] or leave a message 405-297-8900 to reach a member of the staff.

In addition to pieces appearing on VeloCityOKC.com, more information and resources the chamber is providing are available at www.okcchamber.com/covid19.

This article originally appeared in the April 2020 edition of The Point.