MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR MOVING FROM CHALLENGES TO SUCCESS Sometimes plans change. In my household, shown us what it means to be resilient. They the year 2020 was supposed to be filled have shown us that resilience is not about with senior activities. My youngest son, bouncing back, but about moving forward. Cullen, and our exchange student, Jhosue, As business leaders, we can learn had their calendars filled with final from our seniors. What are you senior choir concerts, prom, senior Go doing to move forward in this new walkout, and senior week activities confidently in environment? How can the Chamber culminating with graduation in the direction help you navigate through these May. The COVID-19 pandemic of your changing times? changed those plans. dreams. Live the life Seniors, you are graduating in As the world retreated into their you have extraordinary times. Please carry homes and businesses looked for imagined. your passion, drive, and resilience ways to stay profitable, our students - Thoreau forward. These will keep you strong, and teachers had to adapt to new alive, and aware. Have faith that ways of learning and teaching. At you will make this world a better, more first, our seniors showed a range of emotions, compassionate place. Use your skills and from sadness to anger. Our seniors’ strength, talents to move mountains. Congratulations determination, and courage were tested yet they rose to the challenge. Our seniors have Class of 2020!
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CHRISTY CHEWNING Member Engagement Coordinator Central Georgia EMC 2020 Chair Henry County Board of Directors
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CHAMBER COVID-19 TIMELINE FEBRUARY 22
MARCH 17
First case of COVID-19 identified in Henry County
Henry County Schools announce remote learning plans after Gov. Kemp closes all public education institutions through March 31
MARCH 11 Henry County Coronavirus Committee meets Pandemic declared by World Health Organization MARCH 12 NASCAR announces Folds of Honor to run at Atlanta Motor Speedway without spectators. Georgia Legislature suspends 2020 session with 11 days remaining; 2021 budget remaining
U.S. SBA announce smallbusiness support available
Chamber launches Together4Henry.com website to provide resources, updates, templates, guidelines for county businesses and residents
#SupportLocal phase 1 begins. Chamber, CVB provide listings of local restaurants providing alternative services to dine-in operations
MARCH 23
Chamber, CVB begin remote operations. Social distancing allows for one employee to provide services to membership daily
Gov. Kemp limits large gatherings and closes bars and nightclubs.
MARCH 14
MARCH 18
Gov. Brian Kemp declares Public Health State of Emergency in response to pandemic and authorizes Georgia National Guard to Active Duty.
Chamber temporarily suspends weekly email newsletter for a weekly COVID-19 update. Open rates jump significantly
Henry County Coronavirus Committee meets via phone to discuss countywide operations
held with Forsyth, Clayton chambers.
Chamber suspends all in-person meetings, events, activities. U.S. Senate passes Families First Act to provide relief
MARCH 16
MARCH 20
CVB creates Facebook group to share COVID-19 resources with partners
Chamber Executive Committee meets via teleconference Work From Home teleconference
4 | HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.henrycounty.com
Gov. Kemp expands temporary licensing of certain medical professionals to assist in response
Chamber, CVB launch first survey to assess needs of regional business MARCH 25 Chamber Board meets via teleconference. County, municipalities, public health provide updates IT Concerns During COVID-19 Crisis webinar COVID-19 impact on Census 2020 podcast released Chamber joins 100s of other organizations nationally to advocate for relief
MARCH 26
enforcement provisions
Unemployment claims soar in Georgia, across nation
APRIL 06
Gov. Kemp extends public school closures through April 24. MARCH 30 Gov. Kemp authorizes second transfer from Governor’s Emergency Fund MARCH 31 Marketing Your Business During COVID-19 webinar APRIL 01 Henry County Board of Commissioners pass Shelter In Place resolution Gov. Kemp closes public elementary and secondary schools through end of school year APRIL 02 Gov. Kemp issues statewide shelter in place order Chamber, CVB staff begins daily teleconference calls to continue work and address community, member needs and concerns APRIL 03 Gov. Kemp expands definition of Essential Services and clarifies
CVB launches new brand, visitors guide APRIL 07 Annual World Health Day observed Being Productive while Working from Home webinar Piedmont Urgent Care offers virtual visits APRIL 08 Gov. Kemp renews Public Health State of Emergency. CVB posts videos on social media of locals sharing where they want to visit locally after pandemic APRIL 09 Mental Wellness during COVID-19 webinar Georgia primaries pushed to June APRIL 10 Chamber podcast with Piedmont Henry CEO Dr. Lily Henson details hospital’s preparedness for COVID-19 and shelter-inplace needs
