Blog Archives - Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce

Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce

JCPH Update for 4/30

4/30/2020

Jefferson County Public Health

*These are challenging and confusing times for everyone. Please remember that changes will continue to happen often. Please be flexible and understanding.

*The Jefferson County Courthouse is ordered to remain closed by Jefferson County Public Health Administrator, Chris Estle. This order is in effect until May 15, 2020.

*Courthouse services may be accessed, this includes in person voting.

*PPE supplies are currently being maintained at an appropriate response level. On-going monitoring of county PPE usage and supply needs continue to be monitored by Brett Ferrel, Jefferson County EMA.

*Please visit https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/ as there is new information available.

Follow us on Facebook: Jefferson County Public Health, Jefferson County Emergency Management, Jefferson County Health Center, City of Fairfield, Iowa Government

Iowa Retail Initiative (IRI) - Retail Ready to Reopen Resources

4/29/2020

Retail Ready to Reopen Resources
Provided by the Iowa Retail Initiative
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

PDF - Retail Ready to Reopen Resources - Including Printable Flyers

Retailers are able to reopen their stores in 77 counties in Iowa (shown in grey below) per Governor Reynolds’ new proclamation on April 27, 2020.

On May 1, 2020 retail establishments may reopen at 50% of their maximum legal occupancy capacity. Local fire code determines a retail store’s legal occupancy capacity. Retailers must also follow the guidelines from the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) to reduce the risk of transmission within their retail stores which include practicing social distancing for employees and customers, increasing hygiene practices, and other public health procedures.

Communication with employees and customers is a key component to reopening. The IDPH guidelines recommend utilizing signage as a part of your retail store’s communication. Please utilize the following editable signs in your retail stores or as templates for your own needed signage.

Additional tips or considerations include:
Consider reducing the number of customers in your store below the required 50% maximum legal occupancy capacity. This would provide customers freer movement around the store allowing them to browse merchandise while maintaining social distancing.  Communicate to your customers and employees that you are taking extra steps to make sure your store is safe. Reference the IDPH link above for specific measures you need to take in your store.

Implement or keep curbside pick-up for those customers not comfortable shopping in stores or for those at more risk.  Consider making certain business times “appointment only”. This allows customers to shop at special times on their own. This would work especially well for smaller stores and provide the opportunity for specialized customer service.

For further retail assistance please contact: Lisa Bates, lmbates@iastate.edu

References:

Iowa Department of Public Health. (2020, April 27). Public Health COVID-19 Reopening Guidance. https://idph.iowa.gov/Portals/1/userfiles/61/covid19/IDPH%20Reopening%20Guidance %204_27_20.pdf

Office of the Governor of Iowa. (2020, April 27). Gov. Reynolds signs new proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration. https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/gov-reynolds-signs-new-proclamationcontinuing-the-state-public-health-emergency-0

Iowa Retail Initiative (IRI) - Small Business Best Practices

4/29/2020

Small Business Best Practices - Creative examples to use in your own business

Provided by the Iowa Retail Initiative
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Kameron Middlebrooks & Lisa Bates

Business is not as usual for all small businesses during this pandemic time. Now is the time to get creative and learn great ways to connect with customers through some best practices you can implement in your own business or in your communities.

All Small Businesses:
Increase web presence by making sure your website is updated. You can also add a sign-up form to collect emails. Incentivize potential customers to sign up by offering discounts and newsletters. Look to connect with customers through social media and be sure to have links back to your website on all platforms. Some small businesses like, Lefty’s Live Music, are still conducting business through social media platforms. They are both delivering cocktails and streaming their concerts through their Facebook page.

Send updates via email to your customers. Make sure your email list is clean and current. Some examples of updates to include are: store hour changes; event cancelations or postponements; how customers can access and support your business virtually; and new business procedures (i.e. delivery, pickup, appointments). Offer customized email depending on type of customer (i.e. regular patron, referrals, targeted new customers).

Communicate workplace safety to educate your customers. Make sure to let them know about your in-store store cleaning protocols, social distancing requirements, order fulfillment options such as curbside pick-up, provision of hand sanitizer or other disinfectant in appropriate areas, and efforts to protect vulnerable customers. Grocery stores are communicating with their customers on all the efforts to keep their stores clean and safe including having special hours of shopping for seniors.

Workforce considerations to keeping your dedicated employees. Consider reducing your hours of operation to reduce the hours of work. Also, consider furloughs instead of layoffs. While layoffs terminate employment and your relationship with your employees, furloughs allow you to keep them on your payroll but on unpaid leave of absence.

Retail Stores:
Implement online shopping like Prime Roast Coffee. Their new website lists all their products where customers can shop and have their orders shipped directly to their homes. They also utilize social media by hosting “how to” videos, virtual happy hours, and sharing news on their employees.

Offer delivery so your customers feel safer shopping locally. Utilizing their Facebook page, Cecil K’s Hometown Market provides frequent updates, offers grocery delivery and curbside pick-up. They have even provided shoppers maps of their store so customers can make their grocery list in order of the product location.

Offer curbside pick-up options to remain “open” for your customers. Ted’s Sports not only offers delivery or curbside pick-up for their customers, they also schedule virtual fittings to ensure the right size.

Limit the number of people in the store or special hours for those at most risk.

Restaurants:
Online ordering and delivery options are needed now. If you do not already have delivery at your restaurant and do not have the capacity to start delivery, consider utilizing one of the online ordering and delivery marketplaces such as MyTown2Go, Food Dudes Delivery, Grubhub, Door Dash, or Uber Eats.

Curbside pick-up via phone or online orders. You can also keep your customers well fed by offering a curbside pick-up option. Your restaurant does not even have to have online ordering available to start this option, just make sure to advertise well and have your phone ready. Cornbred restaurant highlighted their Easter curbside pick-up specials through their website, twitter, and Facebook. Referencing their online menu, customers could order and pay via the phone. Customers then just call when arriving at the restaurant and their orders are delivered directly to their car.

Take-out cocktails / mocktails are a way to continue the happy hour tradition. Iowa has temporarily allowed any business with a Class C liquor license to sell liquor and wine to go. This provides bars and restaurants the opportunity to sell unopened original containers of liquor. You can find many examples of rotating take home versions of specialty cocktails now on local restaurants’ menus.

Communities:
Create community-based social media to promote or support local businesses. The Great Grey Tee Project at Bulldog Design was set up to help their local community’s businesses. A large portion of each t-shirt sale goes to the local business that customers choose to support.

Gift cards sold for community small businesses provide incentives to shop locally. The Asheville, NC community has started the movement to buy gift cards from local businesses to show support. AshvilleStrong provides one website for any local business to sell their gift cards.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. For the full non-discrimination statement or accommodation inquiries, go to www.extension.iastate.edu/diversity/ext.

JCPH Update for 4/28

4/28/2020

Jefferson County Public Health

*These are challenging and confusing times for everyone. Please remember that changes will continue to happen often. Please be flexible and understanding.

*Please visit https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/ as there is new information available.

*Official press releases will now be issued twice weekly on Tuesday and Thursday.

*Information/Education updates will continue to be posted frequently.

Follow us on Facebook: Jefferson County Public Health, Jefferson County Emergency Management, Jefferson County Health Center, City of Fairfield, Iowa Government

Important Upcoming Iowa Department of Revenue Tax Deadlines

4/28/2020

Important Upcoming IDR Tax Deadlines

Although a number of tax filing deadlines were recently extended by Governor Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Revenue, not all tax filing deadlines have been extended. The Department is reminding taxpayers that a number of important tax deadlines are approaching soon and taxpayers should meet those deadlines to avoid interest, penalties, or loss of other tax benefits. Unless a deadline has specifically been extended, the regular deadline still applies. This is not necessarily a comprehensive list of upcoming tax deadlines. These important tax deadlines include:

Estimated Income Tax Payments — The Department has not extended the due date for estimated income tax payments. The first quarter installment of tax year 2020 estimated income tax for taxpayers filing on a calendar year basis is due April 30, 2020. Additional underpayment penalty relief related to certain 2020 estimated income taxes was recently granted in Order 2020-03. Information on estimated tax payments and this additional underpayment penalty relief can be found under Frequently Asked Questions for Estimated (Income Tax) Payments at tax.iowa.gov/COVID-19.
Solar Energy System Tax Credit and Geothermal Heat Pump Tax Credit Applications — Taxpayers who installed solar or geothermal energy property in calendar year 2019 in Iowa that qualifies for the Iowa solar energy system tax credit or the Iowa geothermal heat pump tax credit must submit a complete application no later than May 1, 2020, in order to be eligible to receive a tax credit. Applications for both tax credits are submitted online at taxcredit.iowa.gov.
Sales Tax Returns and Payments — Upcoming sales tax returns and payments are due as normal unless they have been deferred under the Iowa Small Business Relief Program. Applications for deferral under that program are still being accepted through April 30, 2020. Information about that program and the application can be found at tax.iowa.gov/COVID-19. View information about non-deferred filing frequencies and return due dates.
Income Withholding Returns and Payments — Upcoming income withholding returns and payments are due as normal unless they have been deferred under the Iowa Small Business Relief Program. Applications for deferral under that program are still being accepted through April 30, 2020. Information about that program and the application can be found at tax.iowa.gov/COVID-19. View information about non-deferred filing frequencies and return due dates.

Recent Tax Deadline ExtensionsSeveral important tax deadlines were recently extended by Governor Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Revenue. This is not necessarily a comprehensive list of recent extensions. These recent extensions include:

Income/Franchise/Moneys & Credits Tax Returns and Payments — The Director has issued Order 2020-01 which extends the deadline for filing Iowa Income Tax Returns, Iowa Franchise Tax Returns, and Credit Union Moneys and Credits Tax Confidential Reports with a due date on or after March 19, 2020, and before July 31, 2020, to a new due date of July 31, 2020. Additional information on income tax returns can be found under Frequently Asked Questions for Income Tax at tax.iowa.gov/COVID-19.
Property Tax: Board of Review Protest Period Extended — Any property owner or aggrieved taxpayer who is dissatisfied with the owner’s or taxpayer’s assessment may file a protest against such assessment with the local board of review on or after April 2, to and including April 30, of the year of the assessment. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Director has issued an Order 2020-02 to extend and include the time for filing a protest to the period from May 25, 2020, to June 5, 2020. This Order also authorizes Boards of Review in each county to remain in session until June 15, 2020. Protests may be filed using the Petition to Local Board of Review form. A taxpayer may contact their local assessor's office for information on how to file a protest.
First-Time Homebuyer Savings Accounts — Eligible taxpayers who opened an Iowa first-time homebuyer savings account in calendar year 2019 normally must complete and file an Account Holder and Designated Beneficiary Form 41-162, no later than April 30, 2020, in order for the account to qualify as a first-time homebuyer savings account. However, on April 24, Governor Reynolds issued a proclamation extending the deadline for filing these forms for taxpayers who opened an account in 2019 to July 31, 2020. Additional information on account owner responsibilities related to first-time homebuyer savings accounts can be found at tax.iowa.gov/first-time-homebuyers-savings-account.
Iowa Educational Savings (529) Plan Contributions — Under normal circumstances taxpayers could elect to deduct qualifying contributions made to an Iowa Educational Savings (529) Plan between January 1, 2020, and April 30, 2020 (up to the contribution limit), on their 2019 Iowa income tax returns, rather than their 2020 returns. On April 24, 2020, Governor Reynolds issued a public health proclamation which, in part, extended the deadline to make such contributions and still deduct them on a 2019 return from April 30, 2020, to July 31, 2020.

IWD Announces Guidance on Unemployment Benefits

4/27/2020

IWD announces Guidance on Unemployment Benefits

Iowans Who Refuse to Return to Work Without Good Reason When Recalled Will Lose Eligibility to Unemployment Benefits

DES MOINES – Iowans who have been placed on a temporary layoff related to COVID-19 but refuse to return to work when recalled by their employer will lose unemployment benefits, except for certain circumstances including:

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and are experiencing symptoms;
If you have recovered but it caused medical complications rendering you unable to perform essential job duties;
If a member of your household has been diagnosed with COVID-19;
If you are providing care for a member of your household who was diagnosed with COVID-19;
If you do not have childcare due to COVID-19 reasons; or
If you do not have transportation to your place of work because of COVID-19.

Employees in any of these positions are strongly encouraged to work with their employer in the best way to handle the situation to return to work.

Refusing to return to work when recalled for any other reason, or in an attempt to continue to draw unemployment benefits will be considered a "voluntary quit" which would disqualify a claimant from receiving benefits, including the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefit of $600/weekly. An employee who is recalled on a part-time basis may continue to be eligible for benefits depending on the amount of wages they earn. They should continue filing their weekly claims and report the gross wages they earned each week. Additionally, the self-employed should continue to report their weekly gross income as part of their continuing claims as they return to work.

"The additional unemployment benefits that are provided under the CARES Act are meant to be temporary in nature and bridge the gap between the outbreak and a return to normal,” said Director Beth Townsend, Iowa Workforce Development. “For Iowans whose employment may be permanently affected by the outbreak, we have many training opportunities under Future Ready Iowa to help them obtain training and begin a new career in a high-demand, high-paying job."

Businesses should report employees who refuse to return to work without good reason or who quit their jobs as soon as possible to IWD at https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/job-offer-decline-form-employers

While an employee may have temporarily earned more in benefits than they earn in wages, the CARES Act outlines serious consequences for fraud, including fines, confinement and ineligibility for future unemployment benefits until all fraudulent claims and fines have been repaid should an individual continue to claim benefits they are not otherwise eligible for because of a change in their employment situation.

For more information, please visit www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov

Act NOW: Updated IRS Guidance for SSI Recipients with Qualifying Dependents

4/27/2020

Friday, April 24, 2020

Dear Colleague,

Today, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued updated guidance for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients with qualifying dependents eligible for COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments. SSI recipients who did not file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 and who have qualifying dependents must submit additional information using the IRS’s Non-Filer tool by Tuesday, May 5, 2020 to receive the full amount of their Economic Impact Payments as soon as possible. Eligible SSI recipients will start receiving their automatic payments directly from the Treasury Department in early May.

Please note that Direct Express account holders may use the IRS’s Non-Filer tool, but they cannot receive their and their children’s payment on their Direct Express card. They may only enter non-Direct Express bank account information for direct deposit, or leave bank information empty to receive a paper check by mail.

I encourage you to share this information with your members, colleagues, affiliates, and other interested parties. Tell them to act now to receive all their Economic Impact Payment money.

Sincerely,
Jeffrey Buckner
Associate Commissioner
Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
(T) 410-965-1804
@SSAOutreach

Emergency Funding and Resources for the Creative Sector During COVID-19 Outbreak

4/27/2020

Finally, some good news: This morning the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs announced that 156 Iowa artists and 14 Iowa nonprofit arts organizations will receive grants in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak. The first round of grants from the newly created Iowa Arts and Culture Emergency Relief Fund totaled $191,000.

And more good news: Round Two is now open. We’re accepting applications from Iowa arts nonprofits through next Friday, May 1. These grants range from $1,000 to $20,000, funded by $442,700 from the National Endowment for the Arts through the CARES Act.

Also, keep in mind:

We've extended the deadline to June 1 to apply for our annual grants for arts, filmmaking, history and other cultural projects.

Iowa Workforce Development continues to update its array of resources about unemployment and the Paycheck Protection Program.

Congress approved an additional amount of CARES Act funding for small businesses and nonprofits through the Paycheck Protection Program and provided further clarification this week. The U.S. Small Business Administration and its Iowa chapter offer practical guidance for small businesses, as does the Iowa Economic Development Authority, and you can find further advice from your financial institutions.

The information many of you have reported in the ongoing Americans for the Arts survey is already shaping public policy and relief efforts. For example, 255 Iowa arts nonprofits reported a total loss of $2.85 million in revenue as of April 7, a figure that has surely grown in the last few weeks. Please take a moment to take the survey, if you haven’t already, and spread the word.

You can find more coronavirus-related resources for Iowa's creative entrepreneurs and cultural nonprofits on our website, including timely advice from the Association of Fundraising Professionals and a state-by-state list of community foundations that have recently set up relief funds.

Even if you don't work in arts or culture, there are lots of ways to support Iowans who do. We discussed a few of them in a recent webinar with Bravo Greater Des Moines and the Greater Des Moines Partnership.

And I can’t say it enough: Don’t hesitate to contact our staff with any questions or concerns. We're here to help.

Take care,

Chris Kramer
Director

SOMM Wines 1 Year Anniversary

4/27/2020

SOMM Wines Celebrates Our 1 Year Anniversary!

SOMM SUPPORTERS
LET ME BEGIN BY SAYING,
THANK YOU!

THE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT AND GRATITUDE FROM YOU ALL
OVER THIS FIRST YEAR
HAS BEEN BOTH HUMBLING AND REGENERATIVE.
WHAT STARTED AS A NEW BUSINESS,
HAS ADAPTED THROUGH CRISIS,
AND NOW SURPASSES A MAJOR MILESTONE.
ONE YEAR!
I HAVE YOU AND MY FAMILY TO THANK FOR THAT.

I ALSO THINK IT'S REALLY
IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE
-YOUR HARD WORK-
DURING THIS UNUSUAL TIME.

TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF, FAMILY, AND NEIGHBORS.
STAYING HOME, EVEN WHEN IT'S HARD.
HOMESCHOOLING THE KIDDOS,
MAKING DINNER FOR THE HUNDRETH TIME!
YOU STILL FIND TIME TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES
WITH TAKE-OUT AND CURBSIDE PICK-UPS.

SOMM WINES SAYS THANK YOU!

THE BEST WAY I KNOW HOW TO REWARD YOU IS
TO BRING IN NEW WINES.

ALL UNDER $25

WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO TRAVEL TO
EXOTIC LOCATIONS DURING YOUR STAYCATIONS!
NEW DISCOUNTED 4 PACKS ARE DESIGNED AROUND THESE NEW WINES,
LIKE THE SPANISH SOLANERA, AND PETERSON ZINFANDEL BELOW.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A MOUTHFULL,
TRY THE FULL OF IT 4 PACK BELOW FOR $89!

SOMM IS CONTINUING OUR FAVORITES 4 PACKS,
LIKE THE ROSE ALL DAY,
AND THE ITALIAN RED ABOVE, DISCOUNTED 10%
FOR A COMPLETE VIEW OF OUR 4 PACKS,
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
WWW.SOMMWINES.NET

FRANCE ALSO HAS SOME AMAZING
GRENACHE/SYRAH BLENDS UNDER $25.
PICTURED BELOW, THE "Le PIGEOULET" IS PRODUCED BY
THE POWERHOUSE VIEUX-TELEGRAPHE, AND
THE BERTRAND, "ART De VIVRE," PLACED #78 ON
WINES SPECTATORS TOP 100 LIST 2019 AT 90 POINTS.

AS ALWAYS, JUST CALL OR TEXT AHEAD AND
I WILL HAVE YOU READY TO GO CURBSIDE!

LET'S CONTINUE THIS CRAZY JOURNEY THROUGH WINE TOGETHER,
OR AT THIS MOMENT AT LEAST 6 FEET APART!

STAY INFORMED VIA OUR WEBSITE, EMAIL,
FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM FOR ANY CHANGES.
CURBSIDE PICK UP IS AVAILABLE
TUESDAY - SATURDAY FROM 12-4 PM.

THANK YOU AND BE SAFE AND HEALTHY,
KRISTA

The Southeast Iowa Union Launches Community Marketing Grant Program

4/27/2020

The Southeast Iowa Union Launches Community Marketing Grant Program

The Southeast Iowa Union is announcing the launch of a community grant program to help local businesses continue marketing themselves as they move through, and then beyond, the COVID-19 pandemic. The program allocates up to $50,000 in matching advertising dollars to assist local businesses during this difficult time.

“Many local businesses are being impacted in potentially devastating ways with the sudden and dramatic loss of customers,” said Matt Bryant, Publisher of the Union. “Our business relies heavily on a strong local economy, so we are experiencing the fall out as well. By offering heavily discounted advertising, it is our hope that we can help local businesses maintain, and then as things begin to re-open, welcome back old and new customers. It certainly benefits all of us if the local business community is successful . This is our way of helping that process.”

To apply for a marketing grant through this program, please visit www.southeastiowaunion.com/marketinggrant and complete the online application. This program is open to locally owned and operated businesses impacted by the coronavirus. Dollar-for-dollar matching amounts are available for a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $1,000 in a month and can be used toward print or digital advertising in the Southeast Iowa Union, Fairfield Ledger, Mt. Pleasant News, Washington Journal, any of the shopper publications or on southeastiowaunion.com. Credits will be awarded in May, June and July and must be used within the month they are awarded.

Completed applications will be reviewed by the Union team and a representative will contact recipients to confirm approval.