BusinessLink May 2020

BUSINESS LINK THE HILL COUNTRY’S PREMIER BUSINESS PUBLICATION

COVER STORY

BACK TO

WORK

After weeks in limbo, businesses begin the process of opening back up

ALSO INSIDE: The coronavirus change the way we work, and the home office is now a neccessity. Page 10

Vol. 8, Issue 5 • May 2020

Business Link KERRVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 1700 Sidney Baker St., Suite 100, Kerrville, TX 78028 PHONE: 830-896-1155 | FAX: 830-896-1175 | kerrvilletx.com

CHAMBER LEADERSHIP CHAMBER STAFF Tim Rye | Chair Peterson Medical Associates Lisa Winters | Past Board Chair Peterson Health Allison Bueche | Leadership Kerr County Kerrville Public Utility Board Tricia Byrom | Secretary Guadalupe Bank Mike Wittler | Chair Elect, Policy & Governance Kerrville Public Utility Board Justin Foster | Treasurer Community First National Bank Brian Bowers | 1st Vice Chair Government Affairs Centennial Bank Michael Anglin | Communications ARTIFEX42 Summer West | Events and Fundraising Alegria Barn E Kerry Sutton | Membership HCTC Shawna Fahrenthold | Education Alamo Colleges Sue Tiemann Brinkman Preferred Properties David Reast Schreiner University Rose Bradshaw So Fast Printing Clint Fiore Texas Business Buyers, LLC Colby Johle Brookdale Guadalupe River Plaza

Rachel London|President and CEO walt@kerrvilletx.com Penni Coggins | Director of Finance penni@kerrvilletx.com Angela North | Director of Membership angela@kerrvilletx.com Sydney Blain | Marketing Manager sydney@kerrvilletx.com Jennifer Lord | Receptionist info@kerrvilletx.com

BUSINESS LINK STAFF Carlina Villalpando, Publisher Louis Amestoy, Managing Editor Jeanette Nash, Asst. anaging Editor Tom Holden, Photographer John Doran, Advertising Director Advertising: Brandon Baldwin, Valerie Tucker and Luly Bliss Composing: Manager Dean Heep and Johanna Rangel

A PUBLICATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

We are rallying to fight COVID-19 as a community Greetings!

What a wild ride we’ve been on the past several weeks. The turn from great economic conditions one day to lockdown the next has been a surreal experience. COVID-19 has impacted all of us in ways we never imagined, and destroyed some. I hope and pray that you are weathering this storm as well as possible.

With all that we have endured, there is still much to Tim Rye is the chairman of be grateful for. This virus has the Kerrville Area Chamber not ravaged our community to of Commerce and works for the degree it has many others, Peterson Medical Associates. we have rallied together to take care of those in need, and many local businesses have displayed amazing creativity and resiliency.

There are still many businesses who are anxiously waiting to re-open. It appears they will have that chance soon. There has never been a more important time to support local and small business owners. We are all facing the prospect many un-knowns and a “new normal.” Your support of these businesses is critical in maintaining a thriving community. I strongly believe that when we give, we get much more in return, and there has never been a more important time for giving.

Whether it be your time, your talent, or your treasure, our community needs you!

I’d like to recognize the amazing work of our healthcare community, our local banks, the Chamber staff, our City and County staff, our local foodbanks and non-profits, and so many others who have selflessly supported all of us during this time. We are blessed with so much. Take time to reflect, be gracious and optimistic, support each other, re-engage what’s important, and be selfless. Do you part, and do not live in fear. This too shall pass.

Peace and Blessing to you all, Tim Rye

Restaurants like Kerrville’s Hill Country Cafe were able to welcome back customers on May 1 after Gov. Greg Abbott eased his restrictions. Page 6

2 BusinessLink • May 2020

3

NEW MEMBERS AND RENWALS New Members Bronze Five Cross Services, LLC, Charles DeAx Renewals Bronze AACOG Aaron Plumbing Company, Inc. Aqua Texas Bernhard Meat Processing & Market Braswell Affordable Printing Brookdale Assisted Living Brown, Jr., Charles C., DDS Butler, Carroll, DDS Camp Rio Vista / Camp Sierra Vista Cartewheels Caterers Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper Kerrville Condor Document Services

In this photo from the Business Link archives was from HCTC’s ribbon cutting at its Ingram headquarters in 2016. The company recently renewed its chamber membership at a diamond level.

Cruces Cedar Clearing, LLC Destination CycleSports, Inc.

The Ridge Marketplace (c)

Dubl-C Guest House

Y.M.C.A. Camp Flaming Arrow

First American Storage

Zuber Construction, Inc.

Ford Eye Care Center Guild Mortgage

Silver

Hill Country Bicycle Works

Advanced Insurance Group

Hill Country Reprographics

Camp Mystic

Kerrville Festival of the Arts

Chick-fil-a of Kerrville

JCGraphix

Kerrville Plaza Apartments

Kerrville Taxi

La Quinta Inn & Suites

McDonald's st#21850

Mega Storage

McDonald's st#27141

Parenting Resource Center

McDonald's st#5703

River Hills Apartments

Mossman Financial Solutions

River Hills Health & Rehabilitation Cente

One Stone Media Pier 27 River Lounge/ 8Ball Pizzeria

Gold

Pioneer Bank SSB

Buckhorn Lake R. V. Resort

Pipeline Skid Service

Freedom's Path Apartments

Roberts, Krista Speech Therapy Services Schlotzsky's Deli

Diamond

Soaring Dragon Chinese Restaurant

Century 21 The Hills Realty-Kerrville

Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy

HCTC

Taylor Williams-Gonzalez Chiscano Angulo

Tango Homes, LLC

The Hills Retirement Apartments

4 BusinessLink • May 2020

CHAMBER NEWS

The search begins for a new chamber leader The Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has formally established a search committee to find the chamber’s next President & CEO after Walt Koenig accepted a position in San Angelo and resigned the position this past March. Rachel London, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of the Chamber, is serving as the interim CEO during this time period.

“We are thankful for Walt’s leadership and the energy and relevancy he brought to our organization and business community,” said Tim Rye, Chairman of the Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce. “The search committee is extremely excited to find the perfect fit for the very large shoes he left to fill, as well as fresh perspective and ideas to take us to the next level.”

The chamber’s presidential search committee is comprised of chamber members with a broad representation of Kerrville’s business community. The committee is seeking highly-qualified individuals through regional, state and national chamber/job board resources to apply for the organization’s permanent president & CEO position.

The presidential search committee members are:

•

Sue Tiemann, committee chair, Brinkman Preferred Properties

•

Michael Anglin, ARTIFEX42 Advertising & Design

•

Brian Bowers, Centennial Bank

•

Allison Bueche, Kerrville Public Utility Board

•

Shawna Fahrenthold, Alamo Colleges

•

Justin Foster, Community First National Bank

•

Tim Rye, Chamber chairman, Peterson Health

•

Kerry Sutton, Hill Country Telephone Coop.

•

Mindy Wendele, Families & Literacy

To find a copy of the full job description and criteria for the position, please go to the chamber’s website at kerrvilletx. com under its job postings. This position is open until filled, and applicants are encouraged to apply by May 20, 2020.

Please apply by providing a cover letter, resume and a list of references to kcocsearch@gmail.com. For questions, contact the search committee chair, Sue Tiemann, at 830.377.9466.

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COVER STORY

At Kerrville’s Hill Country Cafe, the staff was all smiles on May 1 to do what they do best — feeding people and brightening their days.

LOCKDOWN

LOOSENS

AFTER WEEKS OF UNCERTAINTY, KERR COUNTY REOPENS WITH RESTRICTIONS ON RETAIL, RESTAURANTS BUT NOT EVERYONE IS BACK TO WORK — YET

6 BusinessLink • May 2020

Story by Louis Amestoy | Photos by Tom Holden Terry Lockaby was ready for some fried shrimp on Friday afternoon at one of her favorite Kerrville restaurants — LaFours Seafood.

On Friday, for the first time in weeks, Lockaby, and her husband, headed out to eat out — to sit down and eat.

With restrictions, LaFours and other restaurants were able to reopen with 50% capacity and Lockaby was one of the landmark restaurant's first customers.

“Absolutely, we were ready to be here,” said Lockaby, who got her fried shrimp, while her husband enjoyed crawfish.

All across Kerr County on Friday, restaurants were switching over from curbside services and take out to accommodate dine-in customers — all within a few hours. This is the result of weeks of lockdown from the coronavirus pandemic.

At Billy Gene’s Restaurant there were plenty of customers, plenty of social distancing and plenty of reminders that hygiene is of heightened importance for all. Some customers wore masks, while the wait staff was reminded by a floor manager to wash their hands every 10

(

Lo

minutes.

Billy Gene’s owner Crystal Smith opened her restaurant, with a commanding view of the Nimitz Lake Reservoir on the Guadalupe River, at 11 a.m. for lunch, but she had people waiting outside at 10:30 a.m. to get in.

“It’s been steady,” said Smith, who along with her husband, Ty, bought the restaurant from Ty’s parents last year. “We do have a lot of regulars.

They were the ones who kept us open during all of this.”

For some restaurants, with large occupancy limits the 50% won't feel completely noticeable. At Billy Gene's the occupancy indoors is more than 240 people. Smith said that would be a very packed night.

Billy Gene's tables were spread out and the largest group that's allowed — at any restaurant — is six people.

When it comes to outdoors, there are no limits on occupancy but social distancing is required and large

When it comes to managing the coronavirus pandemic, there has been plenty of innovation from Kerrville area businesses, including virtual wine tastings led by the staff of Grape Juice. groups are limited.

However, not everyone was back to

work, including barber shops and hair stylists. That has left many frustrated

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COVER STORY with Gov. Greg Abbott’s orders on reopening the economy.

Melanie Krause owns Kerrville’s The Men’s Room, a barber shop on Sidney Baker South, and like her colleagues in the hair cutting business she’s shut down.

She’s not alone because spas, massage therapists, tattoo artists and nail salons are all shut down — and no one is sure for how long.

“My phone is ringing off the hook,” Krause said in a phone interview. “I’m hoping to open my doors by the 30th.”

If that doesn’t happen she doesn’t know what she will do.

So, in order to expedite opening she’s joining other barbers, hair stylists and those who work in the cosmetology industry to petition the state that these shops can re-open with strict adherence to face coverings, hygiene and other protective practices. In fact, the petition is called “One Client At A Time.”

The campaign, which is being facilitated through MoveOn.org, has garnered 13,642 signatures.

“Servicing one client at-a-time (while wearing a mask and gloves) poses little to no risk of spreading the virus, as compared to 20 or more people in a grocery store or 10 plus people at restaurants picking up food,” the petition reads.

Krause’s business is like a lot of shops — small. It’s just her and one other woman who do the work, and she believes she can safely reopen under the guidelines set forth by the petition.

What really concerns Krause is that an extended closure will cause her tremendous financial harm.

She says she doesn’t qualify for unemployment, is on a waiting list for help from the Small Business Administration and that she didn’t qualify for the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Plan, because she doesn’t technically employ anyone.

“There’s got to be a way around this,” Krause said. “In a small setting we can control this. I just feel like there’s a way that we’re able to operate.”

The petition was started by an Austin area stylist Sarah Johnson.

Back at LaFours, owner Debbie LaFour was getting her steps in to serve about a dozen customers for lunchtime, while her daughter Leigh Ann Krueger was busy taking money from customers who had dined in and who were picking up to go orders.

“We are definitely getting back into this,” LaFour said as she hurried between tables to deliver orders. “I’m glad to see a lot of our customers.”

There was even some politicking going on, Kerrville mayoral candidate David Barker, who would have been in a stretch run against incumbent Mayor Bill Blackbur, was out enjoying some quick-hit meals at multiple restaurants around town.

8 BusinessLink • May 2020

After weeks of not being to enjoy eating at a restaurant, Jerome Chandler and granddaughter Cheyenne Chandler stopped by the HIll Country Cafe for breakfast on May 1.

“We’ve been to several establishments,” Barker said.

“We’re trying to pace ourselves.”

Barker said he saw great attendance at the restaurants he visited, and it seemed to him that Kerrville was bustling in a way that it hasn’t seen in a long time.

“Just driving around, you can feel it,” Barker said of the busy streets and businesses. “I think people are feeling responsible and I think people can be trusted.”

Not everything was open, the River Hills Mall was reopening slowly with just a handful of stores open, including Hibbett Sports and Burke’s Outlet. Belk reopened at noon. JCPenney is still closed. Other restaurants and retailers were still working their way through reopening.

Chick-Fil-A was still doing a bustling drive-thru business, while across the street Taco Casa had people inside the restaurant for the first time in weeks.

Even through the pandemic, local economy is better off than most Sean Batura

“I’m glad to announce that we’re trending in a better direction than our national counterparts as well as those ➤ “I’m glad to announce that we’re trendin the state,” Salinas said. “However, ing in a better direction than our national we are going to feel an economic counterparts as well as those in the state.”

GIL SALINAS impact of sorts, just not as bad as it could potentially have been.”

A downtown district bakery closed Salinas said the survey revealed that its doors on Thursday. A downtown about 84 percent of the businesses furniture store has also closed. said they remained open in some sort or fashion, and 16 percent were either But overall, the area was in better forced to shut down or they opted to shape than the country and much of close until the end of the pandemic. the state, Salinas said. Additionally, A handful of businesses said they more than 50 percent of the only have the capacity to survive for businesses surveyed had applied for another three months, if things don’t federal coronavirus-related assistance, get better. and most of those had received funds.

BBB KERRVILLE AD 2020 COVID.pdf 1 3/20/20 9:14 AM

QUOTABLE

Business Link

The head of the local economic development corporation said “a handful” of local businesses don’t have the means to weather more than three months more of the closures imposed by the governor.

Gil Salinas, executive director for the Kerr Economic Development Corporation, said this morning that his organization obtained that information through a nonscientific survey of more than 180 local businesses ranging from mom-andpop operations to larger companies.

HOMETOWN HEROES

C

BBB STANDS WITH SMALL BUSINESS ®

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CM

MY

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CMY

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So Fast Printing office manager Rose Bradshaw displays some of the 500 masks she’s helped make, along with Davila Ryno. The two have provided the masks to local busineeses, friends and family.

BUSINESS-FOCUSED RESOURCES FOR THE COVID-19 CRISIS AT bbb.org/coronavirus 9

BUSINESS LINK SURVEY — COVID-19

Herring Printing Co. Mollie Haydel shows off her home office after the coronavirus pandemic forced her and millions of other workers around the country to work from home. (photo by Tom Holden)

HOME OFFICE REDEFINED COMPANIES AROUND KERR COUNTY SCRAMBLED TO SEND THEIR WORKERS HOME, CREATING NEW CHALLENGES IN THE WORK SPACE Emily Guevara Business Link

F

or about a week, 23-year-old Mollie Haydel has been establishing a new work routine. Instead of getting up at 7 a.m., prepping for work, and taking a 10-minute drive to get there, three days a week, she now wakes up at 7:30 a.m. and is already there.

“It’s a little easier to put contacts in and walk across the house than it is to get all dressed up and come into work,” said Haydel, a customer service representative at Herring Printing Co., who started working from home part-time last week.

10 BusinessLink • May 2020

Haydel appreciates the new routine. It’s one that allows her to have a little more flexibility. She can work, take a break. Work, eat a snack. Work, play with the dogs.

She spends her work day cleaning up the software the company uses, finding out what other products they can sell and scanning and editing photos from negatives.

“I definitely prefer working from home,” she said. “My end goal is to have a graphic design job where I can work remotely period. … I also see the downside because it’s hard to get on a schedule.”

Haydel’s life is like that of so many other Americans right now who have moved the office to their house at

the direction of their employers as a way to implement social distancing in hopes of minimizing the spread of coronavirus.

office and internet service and all of those costs are pushed onto employees, reducing some of the company’s costs and limiting the real-estate needed for the employer.

As employees operate in this new normal, some questions might arise such as, do employers have to pay employees for the use of their internet, electricity and phone lines? And can employees get tax breaks next year for any work-related expenses they incur while working from home?

The danger in this is if workers are expected to shoulder more of their costs than they have in the past.

Jennifer Glass, Centennial Commission Professor in Liberal Arts in the Department of Sociology at the University of Texas at Austin, said there are no laws applicable in Texas that govern accommodations that employers have to make when employees have to work from home.

She also said she is unaware of any state that has regulated telework in the sense of setting requirements for if employees have to incur business-related costs. She said it is individually negotiated by companies.

Glass, who described herself as an advocate of telecommuting, said the downside of telecommuting and the significant embrace of it at this time, is “this is part of a larger effort that we have been seeing over the past 30-40 years to shift more risks onto workers.”

This is because it requires the workers to have a home

On the flip side, she said, telecommuting can provide employees with time savings (by eliminating the commute) and cost savings by eliminating the need for as much fuel, clothes, makeup and styling. It also can provide greater flexibility to people who have family and other commitments and potentially more productive work time because of the possibility of fewer interruptions.

“My hope is that many, many managers and employers will see that this is something they could do if not permanently .... maybe part-time or temporarily,” said Glass, who is also the executive director for the Council on Contemporary Families and research associate in the Population Research Center at UT Austin.

Gary Selgrath, a CPA and partner at Presser Thompson and Co., said generally speaking W-2 employees who may find themselves working from home cannot deduct unreimbursed business expenses under current tax law.

“Prior to 2018, an (eligible) employee could deduct unreimbursed job expenses to the extent these expenses, See HOME, page 13

11

BUSINESS PROFILE

NEW NORMS

THE DEEP CLEAN

AS THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC STRUCK, IT OPENED THE DOOR FOR DEEPCLEANING BUSINESSES TO HELP ASSIST COMPANIES IN NEED OF HELP Sean Batura Business Link

The invisible enemy that’s caused so much mayhem in recent months has formidable opponents here in Kerrville: disinfectant-spraying businesses.

There are several local, family-owned companies that have been disinfecting homes and offices with increasing frequency, due to the high demand for that service: Starkey Pest Control, R&R Pest Control, Foss Pest Control, Germ Busters of Texas and GermLogic, for example.

“We can’t keep up with the amount of phone calls we get — hundreds a day,” said Brian DiCicco, who started GermLogic with his wife, Tiffany, years ago.

“We’ve gotten calls from New York and California.”

GermLogic is a division of Hill Country Pest Control, which has been in Tiffany’s family for three generations. The company is headquartered in Kerrville and has locations in other states.

One of their larger clients is a university in Texas they’ve disinfected for the last eight years, DiCicco said. They also disinfect homes as far away as San Antonio and Houston — some of them dwelling spaces where coronavirus was confirmed to be present.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued guidance on how to disinfect indoor areas to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that’s causing the current pandemic.

Josh White with Hill Country Pest Control demonstrates the disinfecting process to help prevent COVID-19 from spreading.

“Current evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials,” states a CDC fact sheet on disinfection practices. “Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in community settings.”

Like similar companies, GermLogic staff don protective gear for their work; although in this particular case, it’s mostly to prevent possible spread of the coronavirus, as the disinfectant the company uses, Vital Oxide, is said to be safe even on food and doesn’t have to be rinsed after

12 BusinessLink • May 2020

applied. DiCicco said Vital Oxide kills 99.999 percent of pathogens, including H1N1, MERS, SARS2; Hepatitis A, B and C; and SARS-COV-2, which is the coronavirus that’s causing the current pandemic. A further degree of protection is offered by an optional spray of BioProtect, an anti-microbiol solution that prevents the growth of some germs for up to 90 days, although it hasn’t been proven to work on SARS-COV-2.

For sensitive areas where customers don’t want to use any chemicals, the company uses an ultraviolet light machine that leaves no residue and that produces a powerful type of UV light that destroys DNA and RNA:

Home Continued from Page 11 along with certain other miscellaneous expenses, were more than 2% of their adjusted gross income,” according to an article on the H&R Block website.

However, with passage of a tax reform bill in 2017, “all miscellaneous ‘2%’ expenses, including unreimbursed employee expenses are not allowed between 2018 and 2025.”

These previously allowable business tax deductions included: travel, supplies or professional organization dues.

UVC. According to a March 27 BBC article, UVC is being used to disinfect buses, UVC-emitting robots have been cleaning floors in hospitals, and banks have even been using the light to disinfect their money.

As someone in the disinfectant business, DiCicco stays abreast of information he can use to fight the coronavirus.

He said there’s data to suggest the virus may be able to travel 12 feet between people and also on the bottoms of shoes.

DiCicco said he’s been advising commercial customers to get the disinfecting service now while it’s easiest; it will be harder to schedule appointments once the pandemic dies down and many people return to workspaces.

Michael Murphy, who co-owns Royal Pane Window Cleaning with his wife, Breanna, recently began offering disinfectant services through a sister company they founded: Germ Busters of Texas. They also use the Vital Oxide in their sanitizing work. It’s not an easy compound to come by, Murphy said. No one’s shipping the chemical, due to the demand, so he has to pick it up in Austin, he said. The compound looks like a white mist when sprayed, and dries on surfaces within 5 to 7 minutes, he said.

Everything gets sprayed with it, especially “hot spots” such

There is always the possibility for the government to implement some other special provision down the road, Selgrath said.

He said W-2 employees could request reimbursement from their employer for any out-of-pocket business expenses. Of course, it is up to the employer to grant that.

Independent contractors and self-employed individuals would generally continue to deduct their out-of-pocket business expenses as they previously have.

Selgrath said there always are exceptions and encouraged people to do their own research and consult their own tax professionals if they have questions.

Joe Herring Jr., co-owner of the Herring Printing Co., said his main concern when deciding to have some of his employees work from home was safety.

“The folks who work here are the print shop's most important assets – they are knowledgeable, professional, and I'm fond of each of them – and dispersing them from a central location seemed prudent and the safe thing to do,” Herring said.

He said that if work-related expenses became an issue for his staff he was sure they would talk to him about it.

“I know they’re being productive from home, and we’re working out things as we go along,” he said. “This is all new to us.”

See CLEAN, page 18

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SBA RESOURCES ON CORNAVIRUS RELIEF Paycheck Protection Program The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses.Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.

Under this program: • Eligible recipients may qualify for a loan up to $10 million determined by 8 weeks of prior average payroll plus an additional 25% of that amount.

• Loan payments will be deferred for six months.

• If you maintain your workforce, SBA will forgive the portion of the loan proceeds that are used to cover the first 8 weeks of payroll and certain other expenses following loan origination.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Loan Advance In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000.

The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. The loan advance will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Funds will be made available within three days of a successful application, and this loan advance will not have to be repaid.

SBA Debt Relief The SBA Debt Relief program will provide a reprieve to small businesses as they overcome the challenges created by this health crisis.

Under this program: • The SBA will also pay the principal and interest of new 7(a) loans issued prior to September 27, 2020.

• The SBA will pay the principal and interest of current 7(a) loans for a period of six months.

SBA Express Bridge Loans Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program allows small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 with less paperwork. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing and can be a term loans or used to bridge the gap while applying for a direct SBA Economic Injury Disaster loan. If a small business has an urgent need for cash while waiting for decision and disbursement on Economic Injury Disaster Loan, they may qualify for an SBA Express Disaster Bridge Loan.

Terms • Up to $25,000 • Fast turnaround • Will be repaid in full or in part by proceeds from the EIDL loan Find an Express Bridge Loan Lender by connecting with your local

14 BusinessLink • May 2020

SBA District Office.

Guidance for Businesses and Employers • The President's Coronavirus Guidelines for America - 15 Days to Slow the Spread • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the most up-to-date information on COVID-19. This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). For updates from CDC, please see the following: • Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) • Preventing Stigma Related to COVID-19 • Share Facts about COVID-19 • CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Web page

Information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Prevention, Symptoms and FAQ

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.

To prevent stigma and discrimination in the workplace, use the guidance described below and on the CDC’s Guidance for Businesses and Employers web page.

Below are recommended strategies for employers to use now. Indepth guidance is available on the CDC’s Guidance for Businesses and Employers web page: • Actively encourage sick employees to stay home • Separate sick employees • Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene by all employees • Perform routine environmental cleaning • Advise employees before traveling to take certain steps Check the CDC’s Traveler’s Health Notices for the latest guidance and recommendations for each country to which you will travel.

Specific travel information for travelers going to and returning from designated countries with risk of community spread of Coronavirus, and information for aircrew, can be found on the CDC website.

Additional Measures in Response to Currently Occurring Sporadic Importations of the COVID-19: • Employees who are well but who have a sick family member at home with COVID-19 should notify their supervisor and refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.

• If an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19, employers should inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Employees exposed to a co-worker with confirmed COVID-19 should refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.

Common Issues Small Businesses May Encounter: • Capital Access – Incidents can strain a small business's financial capacity to make payroll, maintain inventory and respond to market fluctuations (both sudden drops and surges in demand). Businesses should prepare by exploring

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•

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and testing their capital access options so they have what they need when they need it. See SBA’s capital access resources.

Workforce Capacity – Incidents have just as much impact on your workers as they do your clientele. It’s critical to ensure they have the ability to fulfill their duties while protected.

Inventory and Supply Chain Shortfalls – While the possibility could be remote, it is a prudent preparedness measure to ensure you have either adequate supplies of inventory for a sustained period and/or diversify your distributor sources in the event one supplier cannot meet an order request.

Facility Remediation/Clean-up Costs – Depending on the incident, there may be a need to enhance the protection of customers and staff by increasing the frequency and intensity by which your business conducts cleaning of surfaces frequently touched by occupants and visitors.

Check your maintenance contracts and supplies of cleaning materials to ensure they can meet increases in demand.

Insurance Coverage Issues – Many businesses have business interruption insurance; Now is the time to contact your insurance agent to review your policy to understand precisely what you are and are not covered for in the event of an extended incident.

Changing Market Demand – Depending on the incident, there may be access controls or movement restrictions

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established which can impede your customers from reaching your business. Additionally, there may be public concerns about public exposure to an incident and they may decide not to go to your business out of concern of exposing themselves to greater risk. SBA’s Resources Partners and District Offices have trained experts who can help you craft a plan specific to your situation to help navigate any rapid changes in demand.

Marketing – It’s critical to communicate openly with your customers about the status of your operations, what protective measures you’ve implemented, and how they (as customers) will be protected when they visit your business.

Promotions may also help incentivize customers who may be reluctant to patronize your business.

Plan – As a business, bring your staff together and prepare a plan for what you will do if the incident worsens or improves. It’s also helpful to conduct a tabletop exercise to simulate potential scenarios and how your business management and staff might respond to the hypothetical scenario in the exercise. For examples of tabletop exercises, visit FEMA’s website at: https://www.fema.gov/emergencyplanning-exercises

SBA Products and Resources SBA is here to assist small businesses with accessing federal resources and navigating their own preparedness plans as described by the CDC’s Guidance for Businesses and Employers.

• Little Aurora Ranch Cafe • Bath & Body Works • Level Up Arcade • Burke’s Outlet • maurices • Candi’s Hair Studio • Pro Nails Salon • Claire’s Boutique • The Jewelry Box • Cross Cultures • Tinsley Real Estate Executives World Wide Imports • Factory Connection • General Nutrition Center • Hibbett Sports • Hill Country Telecommunications • J.C. Penney Styling Salon

Management Leasing 896-0606 • riverhillsmallkerrville.com

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MIXERS/CHAMBER EVENTS VISIT THE CHAMBER’S WEBSITE TO ENSURE EVENTS ARE STILL HAPPENING DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC JUNE 11 Membership / Networking Luncheon Sponsored by Ranch Radio, JUNE 18 Sponsored by the Dietert Center, 415 Guadalupe St JULY 16 Sponsored by Kerrville Hills Winery, 3600 Fredericksburg Rd AUGUST 20 Sponsored by Riverpoint of Kerrville, 1441 Bandera Hwy SEPTEMBER 17 Sponsored by Broadway Bank, 500 Main St OCTOBER 15 Sponsored by Ken Stoepel Ford, 400 Sidney Baker St. S NOVEMBER 19 Sponsored by State Farm – Amber Thomason, 221 Thompson Dr DECEMBER 10 Before Hours Breakfast Sponsored by: Peterson Medical, Location: TBD DECEMBER 17 Sponsored by Centennial Bank, 1145 Junction Hwy

Hurry...June Issue Deadlines on May 15, 2020

BUSINESS LINK THE HILL COUNTRY’S PREMIER BUSINESS PUBLICATION

Monthly glossy magazine featuring business development in the Hill Country.

Full Page 1/2 Page 1/4 Page 1/8 Page

12x $550 $325 $180 $100

6x $640 $375 $210 $115

1x $850 $500 $275 $150

All rates are net.

Full Page 8.375” wide x 10.875” tall • Half Page 3.564” wide x 9.833” tall or 7.375” wide x 4.793” tall Quarter page 3.564” wide x 4.793” tall • Eighth Page 3.564” wide x 2.273” tall

APPLAUSE Ad Program Celebrating a business anniversary?

We want to help you celebrate with an ad at a special rate. $325/Full $100 Quarter $175/Half $55 Eighth Anniversary/Employee of the Month/Retirement

The Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce

During this time of social distancing, there’s no telling when things will return to normal, but we’re looking forward to sharing moments like these photos with friends, colleagues and family.

Call your Advertising Representative at the Kerrville Daily Times to Reserve Your Spot!

Brandon Baldwin - 257-0310 brandon.baldwin@dailytimes.com

Valerie Tucker - 257-0309 valerie.tucker@dailytimes.com

Luly Bliss - 257-0308 luly.bliss@dailytimes.com

16 BusinessLink • May 2020

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SBA RESORUCES SBA works with a number of local partners to counsel, mentor and train small businesses. The SBA has 68 District Offices, as well as support provided by its Resource Partners, such as SCORE offices, Women’s Business Centers, Small Business Development Centers and Veterans Business Outreach Centers. When faced with a business need, use the SBA’s Local Assistance Directory to locate the office nearest you.

Access to Capital SBA provides a number of loan resources for small businesses to utilize when operating their business. For more information on loans or how to connect with a lender, visit: https://www.sba.gov/ funding-programs/loans.

7(a) program offers loan amounts up to $5,000,000 and is an allinclusive loan program deployed by lending partners for eligible small businesses within the U.S. States and its territories. The uses of proceeds include: working capital; expansion/renovation; new construction; purchase of land or buildings; purchase of equipment, fixtures; lease-hold improvements; refinancing debt for compelling reasons; seasonal line of credit; inventory; or starting a business.

• Express loan program provides loans up to $350,000 for no more than 7 years with an option to revolve. There is a turnaround time of 36 hours for approval or denial of a completed application. The uses of proceeds are the same as the standard 7(a) loan.

• Community Advantage loan pilot program allows missionbased lenders to assist small businesses in underserved markets with a maximum loan size of $250,000. The uses of proceeds are the same as the standard 7(a) loan.

• 504 loan program is designed to foster economic development and job creation and/or retention. The eligible use of proceeds is limited to the acquisition or eligible refinance of fixed assets.

• Microloan program involves making loans through nonprofit lending organizations to underserved markets.

Authorized use of loan proceeds includes working capital, supplies, machinery & equipment, and fixtures (does not include real estate). The maximum loan amount is $50,000 with the average loan size of $14,000.

Exporting Assistance SBA provides export loans to help small businesses achieve sales through exports and can help these businesses respond to opportunities and challenges associated with trade, such as COVID-19. The loans are available to U.S. small businesses that export directly overseas, or those that export indirectly by selling to a customer that then exports their products.

• Export Express loan program allows access to capital quickly for businesses that need financing up to $500,000.

Businesses can apply for a line of credit or term note prior to finalizing an export sale or while pursuing opportunities overseas, such as identifying a new overseas customer should an export sale be lost due to COVID-19.

• Export Working Capital program enables small businesses to fulfill export orders and finance international sales by providing revolving lines of credit or transaction-based financing of up to $5 million. Businesses could use a loan to obtain or retain overseas customers by offering attractive payment terms.

Thank You to Our Diamond & Platinum Investors

Diamond Investors • Jam Broadcasting 94.3 • Martin Marietta • Adapting Online, LLC • Mo-Ranch • Alamo Colleges • Moore’s Home Furnishings • Alara Strategic and Creative • Nationwide Insurance • Ashley HOMESTORE Joe Cook & Associates, Inc. • Brookdale Senior Living • Palate Thyme • Calvary Temple Church • Peterson Health • Centennial Bank • Precision Dentistry and • Century 21 The Hills Realty Implants of Kerrville • Comerica Bank • Ragsdale Family Camps • Community First National Bank • Randolph Brooks Federal • Cypress Roofing Credit Union • Frost Bank • Sam’s Club • Ronnie Gesell Construction • Schreiner University • Robert Glossop Jr. • Security State Bank & Trust • Gravity Check Saloon & Arena • Texas Lions Camp • HCTC • Texas State Optical • H.E.B. Foods-Drug Store • United Hunting • Hill Country MHDD Centers Heritage International • Inn of the Hills Resort & • UTSA Small Business Conference Center Development Center • James Avery Artisan Jewelry • Wal-Mart Store, Inc. #508 • Ken Stoepel Ford • Wells Fargo Bank • Kerr County Federal Credit Union • Wine-O-Bout It • Kerrville Public Utility Board

Platinum Investors • 72 Degrees Air Conditioning & Heating • Airtech A/C & Heating • All-Plastics • Broadway Bank • Douville, Goldman & Associates, PLLC • Guadalupe Bank • Hilco Federal Credit Union • Hill Country Memorial • Hill Country Youth Event Center • Home Simple Goods • Kerrville Hills Winery • Laity Lodge Youth Camp H E Butt Family Foundation • LeMeilleur’s RV, Truck & Equipment Repair Co. • Precision Dermatology, PA Kerrville Dermatologist

• Prime Capital Investment Advisors • Safeguard Business Systems • San Carlos Ranch • State Farm Insurance Justin Hamilton • Superior Services Tree Care • Talarico and Associates, A Wealth Management Firm • Texas Hill Country Bank - Kerrville • Turtle Creek Olive & Vines • Volunteer Services Council for Kerrville State Hospital • Windstream Communications • Y.O. Ranch Resort Hotel and Conference Center • Y.O. Ranch Headquarters

Your Membership Is An Investment In Your Business The Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce 1700 Sidney Baker St., Suite 100 • Kerrville, TX 78028 Phone 830-896-1155 / Fax 830-896-1175

www.kerrvilletx.com

17

SBA RESOURCES Please join us in extending a word of “Thanks!” to these businesses for sponsoring the major events being held in 2020 by the Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Because of their generosity and support, we will be able to continue to educate and serve our membership and community about shared opportunities, issues and challenges.

25TH ANNUAL CHAMBER GOLF CLASSIC Monday, June 22, 2020

ROBERT GLOSSOP JR. - INDIVIDUAL SPONSOR SCOTT SCHREINER MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE

BUSINESS EXPO WITH FRIDAY NIGHT WINE SHARE August 7-8, 2020

HILL COUNTRY YOUTH EVENT CENTER

98TH ANNUAL CHAMBER CHOICE AWARDS BANQUET Thursday, October 22, 2020 • Location TBA

• International Trade loan program helps small businesses engaged in international trade to retool or expand to better compete and react to changing business conditions. It can also help exporting firms to expand their sales to new markets or to re-shore operations back to the U.S. • Government Contracting • SBA is focused on assisting with the continuity of operations for small business contracting programs and small businesses with federal contracts. For more information on federal contracting, visit https://www.sba.gov/federalcontracting/contracting-guide • More specifically: • 8(a) Business Development program serves to help provide a level playing field for small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people or entities, and the government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses that participate. The 8(a) program offer and acceptance process is available nationwide, and the SBA continues to work with federal agencies to ensure maximum practicable opportunity to small businesses. 8(a) program participants should stay in touch with their Business Opportunity Specialist (BOS).

HUBZone program offers eligibility assistance every Thursday from 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET at 1-202-765-1264; access code 63068189#. Members of the HUBZone team answer questions to help firms navigate the certification process. For specific questions regarding an application, please contact the HUBZone Help Desk at hubzone@sba.gov.

Women-owned Small Business firms who have questions, please visit www.sba.gov/wosbready or write to wosb@sba.gov.

Clean Continued from Page 13 as door handles and light switches.

Vital Oxide, according to its materials safety data sheet, contains Oxychlorine compounds, n-Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride, n-Alkyl Dimethyl Ethylbenzyl Ammonium Chloride and inert ingredients.

4

TH

ANNUAL HILL COUNTRY ECONOMIC SUMMIT Thursday, February 13, 2020

HILL COUNTRY YOUTH EVENT CENTER

1700 Sidney Baker St.,Suite 100 • Kerrville (830) 896-1155 • www.kerrvilletx.com

18 BusinessLink • May 2020

Some of the Murphys’ clients include churches, nursing homes, residences, and The Kerrville Daily Times, and they’re hoping to branch out into grocery stores and daycare centers.

“We’d like to get into grocery stores -- anyplace that’s staying open and just help keep it (coronavirus) at bay,” Murphy said. “Because if things like this are not happening, the rise of the virus could be pretty serious in the county.”

One of the biggest questions on everyone’s mind, aside from “When will this pandemic end?” is “Will this pandemic change our lives indefinitely?” Murphy and DiCicco said one way it’s going to change life is people will be more apt to take precautions locally to prevent future pandemics, and even typical diseases such as seasonal flu.

“I think people are paying more attention to infection, how to create a safer work environment and a safer home environment,” DiCicco said.

CHAMBER MEMBERS ONLY have your business listing seen by over 25,000 people every month

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DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, MAY 15TH

The Next BusinessLink will be out June 11th

CALL Valerie TODAY to be included 830.896.7000 19

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