Maine chambers focus on creative business solutions during crisis

Photo / Maureen Milliken Hand sanitizer and disenfecting wipes are ready for customers at a Kennebec Savings Bank electronic savings center in Augusta. The state's banks and credit unions have closed their lobbies to customers and are encouraging drive-through, online and electronic banking.

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By Maureen Milliken

The Maine State Chamber of Commerce plans to release information about how businesses can work through the business disruptions caused by the pandemic.

The state chamber is working with regional chambers across Maine to help mitigate the impact, and met by conference call Monday to discuss some creative solutions.

Dana Connors, president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, said it will release more information after meeting with state officials today, now that Gov. Janet Mills and the Legislature finalized measures Tuesday to deal with the crisis.

Regional chambers are already taking steps of their own.

The Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, Rudman Winchell and Penobscot Community Health Care are hosting a free Facebook live seminar from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. tonight to update employers and businesses with the latest information and answer questions on health, business and economic concerns.

"This situation is unfolding and changing rapidly," said Deb Neuman, president of the Bangor chamber. "Small businesses and employers have a lot of questions and concerns as we navigate this stressful and unfamiliar territory. The purpose of this event is to provide the most updated information and answer their questions to help alleviate some of the stress and pressure they are under."

The Portland Region Chamber of Commerce emailed out a webinar, "Coronavirus: Legal and Practical Tips for Businesses and Employers," by Bernstein Shur, and is sending advocacy updates to its newsletter and advocacy email lists.

The Bridgton Chamber of Commerce is providing a list of restaurants, with phone numbers, so area residents can contact them about gift cards, takeout and deliver options, and more. It also has a list of local businesses that offer online shopping.

The state chamber and regional and local chambers will continue to regularly update members on pertinent developments, Connors said in a news release. “It is critical that Maine people and employers prepare, not panic, during this time, and that the business community comes together to support one another and all Maine people. Our state has been tried before and we have proven our resilience. We are incredibly heartened by the generous contributions many companies are already making to help our citizens and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. These businesses are a ray of light and we are proud to serve them.”

Banks, credit unions close lobbies

Credit unions and banks across the state have closed their lobbies to service, with most still providing drive-through service and encouraging online banking. The Maine Credit Union League and Maine Banking Association are working together on the response, the organizations said.

"Families and businesses may experience financial hardships due to the coronavirus emergency. Maine’s financial institutions are willing and available to provide support," the organizations said in a joint statement. "Consumers and businesses are urged to take an active role in contacting their credit union or bank if they would like to learn more about the products and services available to them."

They are encouraging customers to use credit and debit cards, checks, ATMs, digital banking and drive-thru windows. They emphasized that customers will still have access to accounts.

“We must do everything we can to limit the spread of coronavirus,” said Todd Mason, president and CEO of the Maine Credit Union League and Chris Pinkham, president of the Maine Bankers Association. “That’s why our organizations are collaborating to educate the public about all of the secure and fully-insured banking options available to them every day, and especially during this challenging time.”

Maine Maple Sunday

The Maine Maple Producers Association is urging members who had events scheduled for this weekend, Maine Maple Sunday Weekend, to postpone them.

"This was a very difficult decision and will significantly impact all members across the state, but as an association we feel this is the right thing to do for public health, said Scott Dunn, MMPA president.

The state celebrates the industry on the fourth Sunday of March every year with Maine Maple Sunday, which draws upwards of 100,000 visitors, the association said. Some 120 producers were listed as participating this year. The weekend is the biggest promotion for the industry which generates more than $27 million for the Maine economy and supports about 560 full-time and part-time jobs that generate more than $17.3 million in wages, the association said.

"We plan to host Maine Maple Sunday Weekend when the timing is right," Dunn said. "In the meantime, we encourage you to support your local maple producers in other ways during the maple season." The association represents 250 producers, and there are more than 450 licensed producers or maple-product sellers in Maine, Dunn said. Updates and how to support maple producers can be found at mainemapleproducers.com.

Augusta enacts curfew

Augusta is the latest city in the state to enact a curfew on restaurants, bars and other places where crowds gather.

The dine-in curfew is in effect from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. and the city encourages residents to buy gift cards, and consider takeout and delivery options. Portland, Bangor and Waterville have instituted similar curfews.