From Our Blog

Addressing Financial Services Fraud During the Pandemic

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic contraction that followed, consumer complaints about fraud in bank accounts, credit cards, and pre-paid cards have increased. Connecting Communities, sponsored by the Federal Reserve System, recently released a presentation with an overview of financial services fraud, including recent data trends, stories about fraud in lower-income and older households, and critical information about key resources available to those seeking assistance.  Highlights from the presentation:Business Guidance During CoronavirusCoronavirus Scams: Tips from the Read more…

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CDC Publishes Halloween Guidelines

Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses. There are several safer, alternative ways to participate in Halloween. If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters. LOWER RISK ACTIVITIES These lower risk activities can be safe alternatives: Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at Read more…

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2020 Candidate Forums

These events were made possible through the partnership of Shelton-Mason County Chamber, North Mason Chamber and MasonWebTV powered by Hood Canal Communications. Videos will become available on Thursday, October 8 at at 6:00p. View all four races here or scroll down for individual races. 10th Congressional DistrictMarilyn Strickland – Dinfo@stricklandforwashington.com Beth Doglio -Dinfo@bethdoglio.com 35th Legislative District, Pos. 1Dan Griffey – Rdanielgriffey@gmail.com Colton Myers – Dinfo@electcoltonmyers.com 35th Legislative District, Pos. 2Drew MacEwen – Rvotedreamac@gmail.com Darcy Huffman – Dinfo@darcyhuffman.com Mason County CommissionerRandy Read more…

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Port of Hoodsport Restroom Conundrum

Earlier this summer, the Hoodsport area experienced overcrowding as an unprecedented number of visitors sought recreation at Staircase and Lake Cushman despite the closure of amenities at Skokomish Park and facilities within Olympic National Forest. Area businesses, forced to follow new health protocols, could no longer offer restroom access. Meanwhile, the public restrooms situated along N US Hwy 101 at the IGA grocery store in Hoodsport were also closed in response to the pandemic. Ultimately, overcrowding resulted in the closure Read more…

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Sell Online with E-Commerce Tools

As a Grow with Google Partner, the Chamber would like to invite you to tune in to a special livestream for small businesses: Sell Online This Holiday Season with E-Commerce Tools. Participants will learn how to sell online to customers as they kick off their holiday shopping. Google experts will walk through the benefits of setting up an online store with Shopify and how to list products on Google Shopping so you can sell from anywhere. Additionally, the speakers will Read more…

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State of the Community: Tribes

In Partnership with: Event Speakers: Heidi McCutcheonShelton-Mason County Chamber(360) 490-3741 directheidi@masonchamber.com Pam VolzNorth Mason Chamber(360) 275-4267 officepvolz@northmasonchamber.com David OwensSkokomish Indian Tribal Enterprises, Inc.(360) 490-1694dowens@siteincorporated.com Ray PetersSquaxin Island Tribe(360) 432-9300rpeters@squaxin.us

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State of the Community: Ports & Power

In Partnership with: Event Speakers: Heidi McCutcheonShelton-Mason County Chamber(360) 490-3741 directheidi@masonchamber.com Pam VolzNorth Mason Chamber(360) 275-4267 officepvolz@northmasonchamber.com Commissioner Dick TaylorPort of Shelton(360) 426-1151dickt@portofshelton.com Lary CoppolaPort of Allyn(360) 275-2430lfc@portofallyn.com Lynn EatonMason PUD 3(360) 432-9559lynne@masonpud3.org

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Chamber Communications Change

On a weekly basis, more than a thousand community members across Mason County receive an electronic newsletter from the Chamber. While readership rates remain consistent, we began to question, how important is this? Is the content worthy of your time? It is important that you get information in a timely matter and we want to better communicate how the Chamber is working on your behalf. With that in mind, we’ve decided to focus upon the quality—not the quantity—of news we Read more…

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Loan Resources

SBA Economic Disaster Injury Loans updated April 20, 2021 Targeted EIDL Advance The COVID-19 Targeted EIDL Advance was signed into law on December 27, 2020, as part of the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act. The Targeted EIDL Advance provides businesses in low-income communities with additional funds to ensure small business continuity, adaptation, and resiliency. Advance funds of up to $10,000 will be available to applicants in low-income communities who previously received an EIDL Advance for less than Read more…

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Payroll Tax Deferral Guidance

On Friday evening, August 28, the IRS released its first notice regarding implementation of the president’s executive order on payroll tax deferral. The document, which is just over two pages, can be found here. While the guidance leaves more questions unanswered than it answers, here is what the US Chamber has published on the subject so far.   Short Summary:  As expected, employers may suspend the withholding of the 6.2% Social Security payroll tax normally deducted from an employee’s pay.  The deferral Read more…

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