Chamber Launches Program to Help Businesses through Outbreak

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber has launched an initiative to provide small businesses with the information and resources needed to get through the coronavirus outbreak.

The Emerge program includes information on Small Business Administration loans, taxes, unemployment law and interpreting state and national orders. The Regional Chamber staff are also available to provide aid, as are board members in their area of expertise. Emerge’s primary focus areas are finance, accounting, law, insurance, business, health care, government affairs and marketing.

“We are committed to providing our business community with the resources needed to Emerge and recover from this crisis successfully,” said Tom Humphries, president of the chamber, in a statement. “There is a lot of information out there, and businesses may be confused or not know how to sort through it all. We can help with that and many other issues that may be occurring.”

Among the board members offering help is Ted Schmidt, regional president of PNC.

“This is an unprecedented time, so it’s understandable that many businesses may need help navigating these uncharted waters,” Schmidt said. “This program will help local businesses stay strong, so they have a better chance of remaining viable throughout and long after this crisis.”

A full list of the chamber teams and the head of each – along with contact information – is available here.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.