COVID-19 Message from your Executive Director & Board Chair
Dear Members,
We first want to acknowledge that recent developments throughout Minnesota and the nation around the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, as well as the proactive measures taken by Governor Walz yesterday, have put us into new territory together as an organization and a community. The Chamber Team plans to do our best to support our members during the next few weeks or months with the resources you need, as well as adjustments as necessary to our work program and event schedule with the goal of keeping you, your employees, and your loved ones safe. Your business, your employees, and the community are our top priority.
We know that for many of you, especially for small business owners, things may seem very uncertain and even downright scary right now. We share your concerns, and will do our best to listen, support you, and connect you to meaningful and helpful resources. We’ve reached out to some key community partners gather resources to support and are happy to have your creative ideas about how we can work together to mitigate the economic impact of this public health concern and the changes in work flow that are resulting community wide.
We will continue to vet and identify helpful resources that will tell you more than to wash your hands – by now you know that. We are working to identify which businesses can remain open to serve not only their customers, but also the essential services workers such as healthcare, emergency responders and more.
The Elk River Area Chamber board is currently evaluating our upcoming events & programs schedule, because one of the best ways to prevent community spread of a virus like COVID-19 is to practice “social distancing” and limiting large group gatherings. This understanding is based on information available to us and in conversations with other community leaders.
What we know today is that we will be making some changes moving forward out of an abundance of caution. We would rather look like we have overreacted when indeed that may be the only way to flatten the curve. Our other option is to under-respond and wish we had done things differently. Here are the updates we can provide at this time:
Chamber Connections is cancelled for Tuesday March 17. We will explore the use virtual technology for near future meetings. This week’s Lunch Mob and Jumpstart events have been cancelled. The regional Economic Development Luncheon on March 31st is being reviewed. That decision will be made within a week. The April 2nd Job Fair will be postponed to a future date (TBD). The already cancelled HWY 169 Update will be rescheduled, so that this information can be made available to you for your planning needs.
As a key role of the Chamber is to act as convener, to facilitate important conversations, and to support you all in supporting each other – we will strive to continue this work regardless of our events calendar in the coming weeks. We are working on your behalf to make sure you have access and information to what you need to be able to make decisions for your business operations.
Know we are all in this together – we are stronger together – be well friends.
Debbi Rydberg IOM, CFM
Executive Director
Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce
Cindy Hemmer, Owner, Distinctive Iron
Chair, Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
