Chamber Response
Based upon the recommendations from the CDC and the Arkansas Department of Health, the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce building is closed to the public until further notice. Our team is working remotely and still available to you. You can reach us by phone at 870-793-2378, email, or on Facebook.
The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce continues to monitor the situation and is responding accordingly. As of now all events, meetings, and Leadership Batesville sessions have been postponed.
Health and Testing Resources
Local Access
If you have concerns that you might have COVID-19 or been exposed to it, White River Health System, ARCare, and UAMS have free online screenings.
State and Federal Access
Arkansas Department of Health
Website Information: https://www.arkansasstatechamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Covid-19-ADH-Website-Info.pdf
Call the Arkansas coronavirus hotlines:
- For children (staffed by Arkansas Children’s Hospital): 1-800-743-3616
- For adults (staffed by UAMS): 1-800-632-4502
Contact the Arkansas Department of Health at 1-800-803-7847
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
The CDC offers information on how Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads, symptoms, prevention, treatment, what to do if you are sick, and frequently asked questions, including printable fliers. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
Details on CDC recommendations of face coverings and masks. The CDC has issued new recommendations to the public and encouraged the wearing of cloth face coverings in public settings where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. This recommendation is considered a voluntary public health measure, and the CDC offers a primer on simple face cloths here.
State and Federal Resources
Stimulus Check Resources
You can now track your stimulus check, find out how you’re being paid —and, if you want, update your bank direct deposit information to get your stimuluspayment as fast as possible.
The online IRS portal for entering payment informationand checking on the status of stimulus checks has just added a new feature. Theapplication is called Get My Payment.
The Get My Paymenttool allows taxpayers to check on the status of their stimuluspayments and confirm whether the money is arriving via direct depositor paper check. You can also enter new bank information if your direct depositaccount isn’t on file.
The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce has a daily update on information summarized from the Federal and State Government announcements.
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is a great resource for small businesses. They do weekly online seminars to help better understand loans processes from the federal and state government.
Unemployment Insurance Claims
Arkansas Department of Workforce Services launches new website designed to provide updated information regarding COVID-19 related unemployment benefits here.
Are you self employed (electrician, beautician, plumber, construction, freelance/gig worker, etc?) Sign up for email news alerts here.
COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide
Here is a link to the COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide, which provides a great overview of what COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 related assistance programs are available to different entities in rural communities.
Federal CARES Act
This program is intended to assist business owners with relief. The small business owner’s guide to the CARES Act is a great tool. Information about the program can be found on the U.S. Senate website, along with other SBA program information. https://www.sbc.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/guide-to-the-cares-act,
Guide to SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
Guide to the Employee Retention Tax Credit
Consolidated information regarding SBA, Federal and State programs can be found on the Arkansas Economic Development website: https://www.arkansasedc.com/covid19
SBA Express Bridge Loan – Enables Small Businesses who currently have a business relationship with a SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly.
PPP Funds run out. Funds for the Paycheck Protection Program(PPP) have been exhausted, but congress is meeting to pass another bill to replenish the PPP fund. For more updates click here.
The World Trade Center of Arkansas has compiled a COVID-19 page that includes a list of state and federal resources for state small businesses and farmers here.
Non-Profit Resources & Grants
Arkansas Community Foundation is accepting proposals for $1,000 mini-grants for organizations responding to the immediate needs of vulnerable populations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Arkansas Humanities Council CARES Act Grant
Blue & You Foundation COVID-19 Grant
Community Resources
Independence County Police Department
