COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 RESOURCES

The MOV Chamber is proud to provide resources, connections and information to our members and the business community during this unprecedented situation. Please know we are going to continue working on your behalf in our community during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Thank you for your understanding as we work to maneuver through this unknown situation with the intent to keep our organization up and running and to be a support for our members.

The goal for our Chamber is to ensure that the information we share is accurate, informative and researched. We will post links to this page as we receive information from our partner organizations. Our video updates are also posted below.

SBA Announces they will start taking applications for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant on April 8 ,2021

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program was established through the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act and amended by the American Rescue Plan Act to provide over $16 billion in economic relief to target industries. The SVOG application is slated to open April 8, 2021.

https://www.svograntportal.sba.gov/s/

Prior to the official SVOG application opening, the SBA will host a national informational webinar to highlight the application process for potential eligible entities from 2:30 to 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. Those interested in participating can register here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/…/svog-application…

What is an “eligible entity” for an SVOG?

Eligible entities may be live venue operators or promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts organization operators, museum operators, motion picture theatre operators, and talent representatives, per the Economic Aid Act. Additionally, entities of these types owned by state or local governments (for example, museums or historic homes) are eligible to apply if the governmentally-owned entity also acts solely as a venue operator, museum, etc. and not also include other types of entities. For example, a city parks and recreation department that operated a bandstand in a public square along with running various nature parks would not qualify as an eligible entity for an SVOG.

03/22/2021 – West Virginia COVID-19 Update
Governor Jim Justice (WV) announced today that vaccines will now be available to all WV residents that are 16 and older. He also announced that fairs and festivals are able to resume on May 1, 2021. There will be guidance released later this week.

03/05/2021 – West Virginia COVID-19 Update
Governor Jim Justice (WV) recently announced the following changes to Executive Orders in regards to COVID-19.

Increased capacity in Restaurants and Bars to 100%
Lifted all capacity limitations for small businesses, retail stores, and grocery stores (guests are still required to wear face masks and social distance)
Increased capacity to 100% for gyms, fitness centers, and museums
Social Gathering Limit has been increased to 100 people
Youth Travel Sports are now able to take place, except for games, practices, or any other types of competition in counties designated as “Red”

West Virginia COVID-19 Vaccine Information
01/25/2021

The West Virginia COVID-19 Vaccine online pre-registration system is now live.

If you have previously signed up through the MOV Health Department, you DO NOT need to register with West Virginia’s online registration system. Your information will be automatically inputted into the new system.

If you have already received your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, you also DO NOT need to register with West Virginia’s online registration system. You will be contacted directly to schedule your second appointment.

If you need assistance with registration for any reason should call our COVID-19 Vaccine Info Line for help at 1-833-734-0965. The call center is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, please visit the WV COVID-19 Vaccine website:

https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/Pages/Vaccine.aspx?fbclid=IwAR0V688eOSt8VOs10R08WJvzCak_5CboF356e8xIQWkBjL2tTAUndMnR3t8

To register your account with the new online system, please visit the following website:

https://member.everbridge.net/747122446041089/login

January 2021 Video Update

01/19/2021

Energy Bill Assistance Available for Mon Power and Potomac Edison Customers in West Virginia Through WV Department of Health and Human Resources

Customers may be eligible for assistance with winter heating bills

FAIRMONT, W. Va. – Mon Power and Potomac Edison, subsidiaries of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), are urging West Virginia customers who need assistance in paying home heating bills to apply for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) by 5 p.m. January 29.

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) has announced that applications for LIEAP will be accepted until the close of business on January 29, 2021, or until funds are exhausted. The federally funded program assists eligible state residents in paying home heating bills.

Eligibility for LIEAP benefits is based on income, household size and whether the household is responsible for heating costs. To qualify, households must meet all program guidelines, which include an applicant’s annual income being at or below 60 percent of the West Virginia State Median Income.

The maximum allowable gross income levels for LIEAP Fiscal Year 2021 are:

Customers may be eligible for assistance with winter heating bills

The maximum allowable gross income levels for LIEAP Fiscal Year 2021 are:

*For each additional person, add $594. Households whose income exceeds the maximum amount are not eligible. However, some types of income may be excluded for LIEAP.

Applications are available at www.wvpath.org and may also be obtained at local DHHR offices, Community Action Agencies, or senior centers operated by an Area Agency on Aging. Completed applications should be delivered or mailed to the DHHR office located in the applicant’s county of residence.

A list of local offices may be found at https://dhhr.wv.gov/bcf/Pages/MapList.aspx or by calling 304-356-4619. Mailing the application to any other office or a utility company may delay the receipt by DHHR and inhibit processing the application.

Update 11/13/2020 – West Virginia

Governor Justice has issued a Statewide Indoor Face Covering Requirement for all indoor, public spaces.

The requirements are as follows:

1.All individuals over the age of 9, within the state of West Virginia, shall wear an adequate face covering when in confined, indoor spaces where other individuals may be present, regardless of one’s perceived ability to social distance from other individuals. Such face-covering shall not be required when in one’s residence when individuals are able to physically isolate in a physically separated office or other space when no other’s are present, or when actively engaged in the consumption of food and/or beverage.

2.That business and organizations that invite the public into their facilities shall require compliance with the terms of this order, shall post adequate signage notifying patrons of the requirement of this Order, and shall enforce the same on their premises.

3. Children under 2 years old and anyone who has trouble breathing, or otherwise unable to remove the face covering without assistance should not wear face coverings. For children ages 2-8, it is recommended that parents/guardians use their best judgment as to when to assist such children to wear a face covering.

Governor Justice also announced the following Executive Orders:

All winter school sports will be POSTPONED until January 11, 2021. This includes little leagues and travel teams. (View Executive Order Here)

All Nursing Home staff will be required to be tested twice a week. (View Executive Order Here)

All 55 County School Systems in West Virginia will be closed Thursday, November 26-December 3, 2020. Remote learning will be utilized Monday, November 30 – Wednesday, December 2, 2020. This includes all private and public schools. (View Executive Order Here)

All band festivals/competitions will be canceled in Spring 2021. All band concerts will be canceled for the remainder of the year.

Ohio Update – November 13, 2020

Governor DeWine announced Wednesday, November 11 that the state of Ohio is issuing a revised mask order for the state and also created a Retail Compliance Unite. The new revised mask order will require all businesses to post a Face Covering Requirement at all public entrances and ensuring that all customers adhere to the mask order. The newly created Retail Compliance Unit will inspect to ensure compliance with businesses. If the Retail Compliance Unit finds that you are in violation of the order, you will receive a written warning, while a second violation will bring about the closure of the store for up to 25 hours.

West Virginia Guidance for safe holiday celebrations & travel ahead of the coming holiday season.

The City of Parkersburg – Small Business Relief Fund

The City of Parkersburg announces the launch of the Small Business Relief Fund (SBRF), a program funded through a special allocation of Community Development Block Grant – Coronavirus Response (CDBG-CV) funds, and aimed to assist small businesses in the City avoid job loss caused by closures related to social distancing by providing short-term working capital assistance to enable retention and/or creation of job opportunities for low- to moderate- income persons. The SBRF funds awarded to an eligible business, through the SBRF Program, may be used for working capital expenses. This funding can be used to help small businesses restart their operations after being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The maximum amount of assistance an eligible business may apply for and/or receive (provided they document the unmet need) is $17,500.

Funds awarded to an eligible business, through the SBRF Program, may be used for working capital expenses. For the purpose of this program, eligible working capital expenses include the following:

Payment for business rent or required monthly business loan payments.
Payments of wages, taxes, and normal benefits for business employees essential to maintain your business.
Normal operating costs that are included in “cost of goods sold” on a business income statement (raw materials for manufacturers, component pieces for assemblers, items for resale for retailers, food for restaurants, etc.)
Normal operating expenses are included in “operating expenses” on a business income statement (utilities, insurance, professional services, etc.).

The City is proud to partner with the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council (MOVRC) in the administration of the SBRF program.

To be considered eligible for assistance through the SBRF, a small business must meet the following criteria:

Be located in the corporation limits of the City of Parkersburg.
Have been in business for at least one year (since March 1, 2019).
Have been in good standing with applicable City fees as of December 31, 2019.
Must be a low- to moderate-income (LMI) business owner and/or a business that employs (or previously employed) at least 51% LMI workers.
Must employ ≤ 25 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Low- to Moderate- Income (LMI) Workers, however, priority will be given to businesses that employ ≤ 10 FTE LMI workers during the first application cycle. Please see the definition for FTE-LMI Worker below.

To receive a copy of the application and program guidelines (hard copy or electronic), please visit https://www.movrc.org/ , call 304.422.4993 or email ana.ambrose@movrc.org. Applications must be submitted to the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council by Friday, October 16th, 2020 at 10 a.m. Applications can be mailed or emailed to the Regional Council.

West Virginia CARES Act Small Business Grant Program Information

Applications are being accepted through the wvOASIS website beginning Monday, July 13 through September 30, 2020.

Governor Justice’s WV CARES Act Small Business Grant Program provides West Virginia’s small businesses much needed relief by granting up to $5,000 to WV Small Businesses that have been affected by COVID-19.

Small Businesses are eligible if they:

Have between 1 and 35 full-time employees (at least 1 of which is not also an owner/member / shareholder of the business)
Have their principle place of business in WV
Were qualified to do business in WV and in operation as of February 29,2020
Are currently and intend to remain qualified to do business in WV and in operation for at least the next twelve months.
Are in good standing with the State Tax Department and WorkForce WV.
Are a for-profit business
Are not in violation of any state order or decree (e.g., mine safety, DEP citations, etc.)
Are not presently suspended, debarred, proposed debarment, declared ineligible, or otherwise excluded from participation in any federal grant program, and are not presently a debit in any pending bankruptcy (including any owners of the business)
Have suffered eligible expenses and/or losses because of COVID-19

The process for applying for WV CARES Act Small Business Grant funds begins by becoming a registered vendor in the wvOASIS system. You must be a registered Vendor to receive WV CARES act small business grant funds. An eligible business can apply to be a registered Vendor – without needing to pay the typical $125 fee- in WV OASIS at https://www.wvoasis.gov/, and clicking “VSS”

The City of Parkersburg in partnership with Community Resources and United Way Alliance launches a Family Relief Fund.

The Family Relief Fund (FRF), a program funded through a special allocation of Community Development Block Grant funding through the Cares Act, and aimed to assist Parkersburg residents who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. The FRF funds short-term emergency payments on behalf of individuals or families to prevent utility service cutoffs, and/or
housing payments to prevent eviction or homelessness.
FRF operates on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible residents and must meet the following requirements.

Must reside in the corporation limits of the City of Parkersburg
Must meet the following household income eligible guidelines (80% of Area Median Income):
- 1 Person: $35,000
- 2 Persons: $40,600
- 3 Persons: $45,650
- 4 Persons: $50,700
- 5 Persons: $54,800
- 6 Persons: $58,850
- 7 Persons: $62,900
- 8 Persons: $66,950
Must be in good standing with applicable City Fees (as of 12/31/2019).
Must provide documentation of financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. This may include, but is not limited to job loss, decrease in hours/wages, increase in expenses, etc.

Financial assistance will be made directly to service providers, landlords, or banking institutions, and is capped at $2,000 per household. Payments will be directed to the most urgent need(s).

To apply or to learn more about the Family Relief Fund, call 2-1-1 to reach the United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley.

MOV Chamber Re-Opening Signage

We have created the following signage for you to utilize as you begin to re-open your business.

Please Keep 6ft Distance

Please Wear a Mask, Maximum Occupancy, and Keep Distance

COVID-19 Symptoms

Yes, We’re Open

Please use our Hand Sanitizer

Maximum Occupancy

West Virginia Strong/The Comeback (Governor Justice’s Reopening Plans):

Governor Justice’s Reopening Plan (uploaded 4/27/20)

Governor Justice’s Stay at Home Order