Chamber helps members have voice in Washington

Chamber of Commerce CEO: Working to find solutions

COVID-19 has forced us all to change the way we do things. From learning how to work remotely to social distancing, there’s been a rapid pace to change in 2020. Through it all, the Chamber has worked to support local businesses navigate this new world.

In March, as the community shut down and businesses had to change the way they interacted with the public, the Chamber began tracking information about which businesses remained open and how their operations had changed. This served as a community resource which we updated on a daily basis. We also began collecting information about a variety of resources available to businesses to

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Officer Impact Disaster Loans to the PPP program in the CARES Act, we made sure local businesses knew they had assistance available.

The Missoula Chamber played a key role during passage of the CARES Act. Our Montana congressional delegates contacted the Chamber and asked us to survey business members to gauge their needs. That information went directly from Missoula to DC. The Chamber created a survey in less than 24 hours and sent over 100 responses to DC within the first week.

As the state entered Phase II of reopening, the Chamber partnered with the Missoulian and Stockman Bank to help businesses promote their reopening. We distributed “Yes, We're Open” signs around town and shared video and photos of local businesses flipping their sign to open. We were met with an honest appreciation from those businesses for being the first organization to welcome them back and celebrate their reopening with them.

The Chamber along with several economic organizations in Missoula, joined a coalition promoting SaferMissoula.org which has resources and information available to everyone aimed at helping limit the spread of COVID-19 and ensure a safe opening for Missoula businesses and organizations. You can check the site for best practices on social distancing, sanitizing spaces and mask wearing.

During this time of uncertainty, the Chamber has continued to push ahead with our key community initiatives that we’ve been working on over the past year.

We continue to work with partner organizations to look for ways to provide increased access to affordable, quality child care in the community. Now, as

workers begin returning to their offices, the need for child care is greater than ever. We will be looking at local statistics to determine how COVID-19 and the related shutdown impacted child care options in Missoula. The community was already in need of more options and the shutdown put new burdens on the industry. Having options for children is important for parents’ ability to return to their careers and the Chamber continues to champion efforts to provide options parents feel good about.

Last year, Missoula County applied on for federal grant money to help fund infrastructure development in an area between Mullan Road and West Broadway. This was the third such application. The Chamber offered to organize the lobbying efforts and garnered the support of 19 individuals who traveled to DC in support of last year’s application, resulting in $13 million to the community.

This year, the county has applied for the remaining $10 million needed to complete the project list. Again, the Chamber is stepping forward with the support of the private sector to lobby in support of the application. COVID-19 has created new challenges for meeting with government officials in person but we’re creating alternative channels for sharing Missoula’s story with federal officials via a professionally-produced video pitch.

Local businesses are the heart of the Missoula community. They employ our residents, sponsor youth sports teams, support local nonprofit organizations and so much more. We’re proud to support them through this difficult time and hope that you will join with us. Remember to make an extra effort to find ways to support your local business community.

Kim Latrielle is the CEO of the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce.