Although the Clarion Area Chamber of Business & Industry office is closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization continues to work for the local business community.
“Things are not good,” Executive Director Tracy Becker said. “Unfortunately, many local businesses had to close due to the governor’s mandate.
“We are trying to get out as much information to businesses that we have received from the U.S. Chamber, Small Business Administration and the Pennsylvania Chamber about the different options out there they can apply to for funds and loans.”
Becker said the chamber is working with the Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce on the project.
“We keep hearing from individuals and businesses the same question: ‘How can I help?’ she said.
In response, Becker said, the chamber has come up with a program to help local businesses while thanking “essential” workers who are still on the job at Clarion Hospital, nursing homes, grocery stores, restaurants and police departments, just to name a few.
“We are launching a campaign where you can donate a monetary gift – money that is donated will in turn be used to purchase gift certificates for food or services,” she said.
“Gift certificates or gift cards will be purchased at those businesses that are currently closed, as they are classified as ‘nonessential’ by the governor.”
Becker said the chamber also will purchase gift certificates or gift cards from area restaurants and other services that also are currently unable to remain open.
“Our goal is to try to help as many of our area businesses get through this difficult time as we can,” she said.
The chamber, Becker said, will collect money through Friday, April 24. The following week, gift certificates or gift cards will be purchased.
Becker said businesses that have signed up through the chamber’s website will be contacted to make arrangements to pick up their gift box of gift certificates and thank-you cards. Local children will make the thank-you cards.
“We are asking all of the kids out there to create a thank-you card,” she said. The thank-you card, Becker said, can be dropped off at the chamber office, 650 Main St. in Clarion. There’s a mail slot on the front door. The thank-you card also can be mailed to the chamber.
“The reason for this campaign is two-fold,” Becker said. “One, we want to thank all of the individuals who are out there on the front line working and delivering their services.
“Second, we appreciate all of our businesses here in Clarion County, and providing an opportunity of a financial boost for those businesses that are currently closed would be a great reward from our residents of Clarion County.”
For more information, call the Clarion Area Chamber at 814-226-9161.
“We are Clarion County and we will get through this together,” Becker said.