Updates:

For more updates, please visit our Facebook page. We also encourage you to look at other resources such as the CDC and the Georgia Department of Health for updates about COVID-19. For more updates, please visit our website.

  

Save Small Business Fund

Save Small Business Initiative has been unveiled to address the immediate needs of the small business community, mitigate closures and job losses, and mobilize support for long-term recovery in the wake of the economic destruction of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see link below to see the details of said initiative.

For the Save Small Business Initiative link, click here.
For the Save Small Business Grant requirements and details, click here.

Applications for the Save Small Business Grant Fund will open April 20, 2020, at 3:00 PM ET. There are several eligibility requirements which can be found on the above link. We encourage you apply for a supplemental grant if eligible.

 

Georgia Center for Nonprofits

The Georgia Center for Nonprofits has put together to collect info on how the COVID-19 crisis is affecting nonprofits. Please fill it out if applicable, and send it to the folks in your network to whom it applies—we want to be sure they’re hearing from the whole state. Click here!

 

Georgia Department of Education Updates

Includes the latest state news, school closure information, online learning resources and more here!

 

Georgia Department of Public Health COVID-19 Daily Status Report

Track confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the state by clicking here.

 

Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Assistance Program
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance for a small business. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.

Learn more and apply here!

 

Georgia Department of Labor Emergency Unemployment
The Georgia Department of Labor updates rules so that Georgia employers may partial claims online on behalf of their employees for any week during which an employee (full-time/part-time) works less than full-time due to a partial or total company shutdown caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency. Any employer found to be in violation of this rule will be required to reimburse GDOL for the full amount of unemployment insurance benefits paid to the employee. Download the How Employers File Partial Claims Desk-Aid found on the GDOL Alert Page and follow the step-by-step instructions. Filing partial claims results in your employees receiving unemployment insurance (UI) benefit payments faster, usually within 48 hours for claims filed electronically. Employees for whom you file a partial claim are NOT required to report to a Georgia Department of Labor career center, register for employment services, or look for other work.

Learn how to file claims here!

 

Conquering a Business Crisis

Contact your local UGA SBDC office for assistance with any of the items in this guide.. To access the document, click here. 

 

Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers

The following interim guidance may help prevent workplace exposures to acute respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, in non-healthcare settings. The guidance also provides planning considerations if there are more widespread, community outbreaks of COVID-19. Click here.

 

COVID-19 LSGA Resources for Business and Industry

Our regional Locate South Georgia group has given us a list to share with you. To access this list, click here.

 

Gov. Kemp Calls on Georgia Businesses to Aid with Critical Health Care Needs

There have been some great innovative ideas from businesses and industry to help meet the needs of our medical community. If you have a business that has shut down or can restructure to meet the needs of our hospitals, medical professionals and staff please consider the call of the Governor.
If you are a Business or Industry in Worth County that fits the scope of work they are looking and feel you can make a difference click here.

 

Georgia Department of Community Affairs Has Developed a Link for Resources.

"In response to social distancing requirements and stay-at-home instructions, broadband providers are temporarily offering various options to get Georgians internet connectivity. These include free internet service, waiving disconnect and late fees, providing free access to WiFi hot spots, reducing limitation on data-usage, and offering other time-limited options." Click here.

 

Crisis and Support Hotlines

Georgia COVID-19 Emotional Support Line - 866-399-8938
The Georgia COVID-19 Emotional Support line provides 24/7 free and confidential assistance to callers needing emotional support or resource information as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is staffed by volunteer mental health professionals and others who have received crisis counseling training.

 

Georgia Crisis & Access Line - 1-800-715-4225
The Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) is available 24/7 to help you or someone you care for in a crisis.

 

CARES Warm Line - 1-844-326-5400
Call or text every day of the year 8:30 am - 11:00 pm for help with substance abuse challenges.

 

COVID-19 Hotline - 844-442-2681
The Georgia Department of Health has this hotline for people who believe that they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed. They ask that if you show symptoms or have been exposed, please also contact your primary care doctor or an urgent care clinic.

 

Peer2Peer Warm Line - 888-945-1414
This line provides Georgians the opportunity to receive peer support of the phone 24 hours a day. You can also visit their website at www.peer2peer.center

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service today announced that distribution of economic impact payments will begin in the next three weeks and will be distributed automatically, with no action required for most people. However, some seniors and others who typically do not file returns will need to submit a simple tax return to receive the stimulus payment.

 

Who is eligible for the economic impact payment?
Tax filers with adjusted gross income up to $75,000 for individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns will receive the full payment. For filers with income above those amounts, the payment amount is reduced by $5 for each $100 above the $75,000/$150,000 thresholds. Single filers with income exceeding $99,000 and $198,000 for joint filers with no children are not eligible.

Eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for either 2019 or 2018 will automatically receive an economic impact payment of up to $1,200 for individuals or $2,400 for married couples. Parents also receive $500 for each qualifying child.

 

How will the IRS know where to send my payment?
The vast majority of people do not need to take any action. The IRS will calculate and automatically send the economic impact payment to those eligible.

For people who have already filed their 2019 tax returns, the IRS will use this information to calculate the payment amount. For those who have not yet filed their return for 2019, the IRS will use information from their 2018 tax filing to calculate the payment. The economic impact payment will be deposited directly into the same banking account reflected on the return filed.

 

The IRS does not have my direct deposit information. What can I do?
In the coming weeks, Treasury plans to develop a web-based portal for individuals to provide their banking information to the IRS online, so that individuals can receive payments immediately as opposed to checks in the mail.

 

I am not typically required to file a tax return. Can I still receive my payment?
Yes. People who typically do not file a tax return will need to file a simple tax return to receive an economic impact payment. Low-income taxpayers, senior citizens, Social Security recipients, some veterans and individuals with disabilities who are otherwise not required to file a tax return will not owe tax.

 

How can I file the tax return needed to receive my economic impact payment?
IRS.gov/coronavirus will soon provide information instructing people in these groups on how to file a 2019 tax return with simple, but necessary, information including their filing status, number of dependents and direct deposit bank account information.

 

I have not filed my tax return for 2018 or 2019. Can I still receive an economic impact payment?
Yes. The IRS urges anyone with a tax filing obligation who has not yet filed a tax return for 2018 or 2019 to file as soon as they can to receive an economic impact payment. Taxpayers should include direct deposit banking information on the return.

 

I need to file a tax return. How long are the economic impact payments available?
For those concerned about visiting a tax professional or local community organization in person to get help with a tax return, these economic impact payments will be available throughout the rest of 2020.

 

Where can I get more information?
The IRS will post all key information on IRS.gov/coronavirus as soon as it becomes available.

The IRS has a reduced staff in many of its offices but remains committed to helping eligible individuals receive their payments expeditiously. Check for updated information on IRS.gov/coronavirus rather than calling IRS assistors who are helping process 2019 returns.

Georgia Power focuses on reliability and readiness as spring storm season arrives during COVID-19 pandemic

 

Georgia Power remains committed to providing its 2.6 million customers safe and reliable service, while offering important safety tips and storm resources as the spring storm season arrives amid the COVID-19 pandemic. March, April and May are typically the most active months for severe thunderstorms with lightning, hail and tornadoes, though severe weather can happen at any time.

 

Storm Response Pandemic Preparations

Georgia Power constantly monitors changing weather conditions and has been closely monitoring the potential threat posed by COVID-19 since January. The company remains prepared to respond to service interruptions that might occur because of severe weather while taking proactive actions including special distancing and other precautions to help protect customers and employees from the spread of the virus.

 

The company regularly provides information and updates on the virus to employees, including prevention recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, and is following the latest developments and updates from public health officials and medical professionals.

 

The company’s investments in Smart Grid technology and increased automation in recent years mean an increased ability to more quickly isolate outages to smaller numbers of customers and reroute power remotely for improved reliability. In addition, the company’s comprehensive pandemic plans ensure readiness of the critical personnel and facilities necessary to continue providing the safe and reliable energy customers expect and deserve.

 

In the field, the power restoration process includes these key steps:

• Assessing Conditions – Responding crews – or in major storms, damage assessment teams – work to identify trouble spots and the resources needed to fix them, which could involve coming onto customers’ property. Crews will employ appropriate distancing efforts and customers are asked to keep children and pets indoors and maintain safe distances from crew members as well.
• Making Repairs – Georgia Power crews focus on repairs that return power to the greatest number of customers in the least amount of time.
   

Storm Safety

Georgia Power reminds customers to keep safety first during severe weather and offers the following storm tips:   

• Before a Storm:  Stay aware and check the weather forecast before heading outdoors. Check your emergency kit, unplug major appliances and charge cell phones in case you lose power.
• During a Storm: Take safe shelter inside a sturdy building away from windows and doors. Avoid contact with conductors of electricity - appliances, metal objects and water.
• After a Storm: Never touch any downed or low-hanging wire, including telephone or TV wires that touch a power line. Never pull tree limbs off power lines or enter areas with debris or downed trees as downed power lines may be buried in wreckage.
   

Remote Customer Resources

Customers can subscribe to Georgia Power’s YouTube Storm Channel for the latest safety videos and can connect with Georgia Power on Facebook and Twitter for helpful information every day, and restoration updates during severe weather. Georgia Power offers the following videos, tools and tips to help customers prepare for severe weather:

• Outage Alerts – Subscribe to the free Georgia Power Outage Alert service to receive personalized notifications and updates via text message.
• Outage Maps - Customers can follow progress on outages in their town or across the state on the company’s outage map available at www.georgiapower.com/storm online or on the Georgia Power mobile app on your smartphone.
• Build an Emergency Kit – A well-built kit should contain enough supplies to get you and your family through three days without electricity or running water.

Keeping You Informed...

Worth County News Release - April 9, 2020

 

The May 19th General Primary Election has been postponed until June 9, 2020.

Per Secretary of State News Release this date Please Review the Following Quote From Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.

“I certainly realize that every difficulty will not be completely solved by the time in-person voting begins for the June 9 election, but elections must happen even in less than ideal circumstances,” said Raffensperger. “Just like our brave healthcare workers and first responders, our county election officials and poll workers are undertaking work critical to our democracy, and they will continue to do this critical work with all the challenges that the current crisis has brought forth. This postponement allows us to provide additional protection and safety resources to county election officials, poll workers, and voters without affecting the November election.”

The voter registration deadline for the June 9, 2020 election will be May 11, 2020. Early voting will begin on May 18, 2020. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 21-2-501, moving the primary election to June 9, 2020 will move the primary runoff to August 11, 2020.Pushing back the primary to June 9 gives Georgia election officials additional time to put in place contingency plans to allow for safe and secure voting, but pushing back the primary election any further could potentially have negative consequences on preparation for the November 3, 2020 General Election. Given existing deadlines to prepare and send ballots for the November election, particularly for military voters, moving forward on June 9 is the best way to ensure a successful election year in Georgia.

Absentee ballot applications for the upcoming primary election will continue to be accepted and processed by counties even if the application said May 19. Once county election officials properly verify the signature on the application, the voter will be sent an absentee ballot for the primary election now to be held on June 9.

The Georgia Business Action Network

(Click the image below to access the Legislative Update)

Upcoming Community Events!

The Phoebe Career Fair will be rescheduled for a later date!

Event Albums

Upcoming Event Applications

Click image above to access the Community Calendar

 

Have an event? Post it Here......

The Sylvester-Worth County Chamber of Commerce would like to encourage you to submit all Worth County events to the Community Calendar on our website. We want everyone who lives or visits to know what is happening in our community. This calendar is open to the whole community. Churches, Businesses, Concerts, Civic Organizations, Fundraisers, etc...

We make every effort to ensure the events are posted, however, the best way to ensure your event is highlighted is to go to www.swcountychamber.com, click news & events, click calendar, and then follow instructions for submitting an event.

*This calendar is open to any event being hosted in Worth County or by a chamber member.

 

Do you enjoy being a part of the Chamber? Then tell everyone! Share this flier with your friends and help us spread the word on the benefits of being a Chamber member!

 

Phone: 229-776-7718