The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a second week of informational calls and has revamped part of their website for easier navigation to provide local business owners with the latest information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and resources. 

“The Paducah Chamber, with our network of other local chambers and assistance from the Kentucky Chamber and U.S. Chamber, is working hard to focus on helping our businesses,” said Chamber President Sandra Wilson. “We are here to help through these challenging times by providing some of the latest information and resources. We will also continue to share information regularly about how businesses can support each other, how we as a community can support our local businesses, and how businesses can have access to federal support.” 

The Chamber has updated its COVID-19 page online to include information in easy to find categories regarding guidance for businesses including the recently passed CARES Act and Paycheck Protection Program, SBA disaster loans, unemployment insurance and more. “There are currently nine categories to choose from ranging from federal assistance to what local businesses are currently open,” Wilson said.  

The first conference call for this week is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday (3/31) with updates from the two local hospitals with speakers, Dr. Brad Housman, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, from Baptist Health Paducah and Dr. Jenny Franke, Chief Clinical Officer-Kentucky, from Mercy Health-Lourdes Hospital.   

Other calls this week include:

• 10 a.m. Wednesday, Update from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office with speakers Andrew Swafford, Director of Projects and Counsel, and Tiffany Ge, General Counsel.
• 2 p.m. Wednesday, Update from the City of Paducah on their new Small Business Support Grant program with speakers Mayor Brandi Harless and City Manager Jim Arndt.
• 10 a.m. Thursday, Update from Paducah City Schools Superintendent Dr. Donald Shively and McCracken County Schools Superintendent Steve Carter.

All calls will be audio only through Zoom.  For information about how to join the calls, go to paducahchamber.org and to the COVID-19 page. 

Wilson said the Chamber is planning now for a robust economic recovery and for new and expanded programming to help connect members through promoting products, services and people in our community.  

For more information from the Paducah Chamber, go to paducahchamber.org