By Paula Scott, BCE Executive Director
Wow, what a difference a month makes. Much of what the BCE had planned for March went by the wayside. With non-essential business being conducted from home, we’re all learning to adjust.

I’ll be leading my first Zoom video meeting this week and have taken to paying with my smart phone when I can. This old girl is learning new tricks!

Business Resources
The amount of information--and misinformation--coming at us can be overwhelming. Stick with authoritative sources and be skeptical about offers and suggestions that aren’t backed up by references.

A pretty good one-stop shop is the Ohio Chamber of Commerce website (https://ohiochamber.com) which includes information about the following topics and more.

Ohio Executive Orders

Unemployment Compensation System Expansion

SharedWork Ohio Program

TechCred Program

Workers' Compensation

Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans

Tax Payment Deadline Extension

Ohio Department of Health Employee Screening Guidelines

CDC Recommended Strategies

Local Business Updates
For local information on business status, visit the Bluffton Icon-Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce “Bluffton Area Business Status & Support” report. This list is sorted by type and includes details such as hours of operation, phone numbers, delivery and online ordering, video activities, etc. You can send area business information to blufftonchamber@gmail.com. 

Business Plan Competition
Our 2020 business plan contestants recently practiced their presentations with Ryan DeMarco, a local Edward Jones financial advisor, and Melinda Bowden, owner of PromoHits! In Bluffton. By the following week, we had to adapt and ask for their final presentations on video. Bravo to all of our contestants on tackling this new requirement with just a few extra days to do it.

Our final judges are reviewing the revised written plans and presentations of the nine remaining businesses in the competition. Stay tuned for our award announcements.

Virtual Brown Bags and Coffee Hours
So how can we carry on with our programs from home? I can chat with individuals and groups by phone, Google Hangouts, Facetime, Go To Meeting, or Zoom. So pick up your cup of coffee and give me a ring!

Let me know if you have questions or ideas that you’d like to bounce off the BCE. You can reach the BCE at blufftonce@gmail.com or 567-525-6667. Please leave a message and I’ll return your call.

Helping grow a great community! BlufftonEntrepreneurs.com.