Click here for state details as South Carolina reopens for business!
We are dedicated to keeping our members and community up-to-date on issues related to COVID-19. Do you have specific questions? Email us or call 803-209-2143.
5.20.20
Free COVID 19 testing in Chester's Back Lot
5.19.20
Chester Library System now has curbside checkout.
Seniors may qualify for fresh fruits and vegetable vouchers but they MUST apply through SC DSS.
5.15.20
Arby's of Chester will open next Thursday, May 21st--with drive-thru service! They're still hiring so check out their website at www.workatarbys.com
The Workforce and Economic Development Division of
York Technical College is proud to present our upcoming
Lunch and Learn webinar series.
Thursday, May 21st
12PM - 1PM
With COVID-19 most of us are living and working in a world of chaos and unpredictability. So how do you manage to function and get things done when you can’t even catch your breath? In this session, we’ll explore tips and techniques to help manage the chaos, increase your resilience and be more productive at work.
Presented by: Donna Lawrence
5.14.20
Be sure to bookmark this important site for South Carolinians: https://accelerate.sc.gov/
CLICK HERE to register for the SBDC Webinar with DHEC for MAY 20th at 9 a.m.
5.11.20
Chester Laundry&Dry Cleaning will be open on Monday 5/11/20 at 8:00 a.m. to resume operations.
The U.S. Small Business Administration today published Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting program regulations that will provide a free, online certification and eligibility application process for women-owned small businesses and economically-disadvantaged women-owned small businesses. The timeline for implementation of changes to SBA’s WOSB program has been delayed to accommodate those affected by the current pandemic.
5.8.20
Kurbside Kona! Kona Ice will now deliver to a variety of places for a variety of reasons: 803-470-3335
5.6.20
Donate to the Great Falls Tornado Relief Fund through GRASP!
5.2.20
Restarting Safely for Hospitality
Super 8 in Richburg is hiring! 803-374-5035. In person hiring.
Arby's in Chester is hiring! In person interviews. Located on the JA Cochran By-Pass. Or visit www.workatarbys.com
UPDATES regarding legislation:
4.17.20
FAQs sheet from SC Department of Employment and Workforce: Unemployment
4.08.20
SLED Compliance with SC Stay At Home Orders
4.07.20
4.02.20
Overview of legislation, shared by SC Works
4.01.20
Governor's Closures
From the SC Chamber:
Governor McMaster Orders “Non-Essential” Businesses to Close for 15 Days
In his press conference Tuesday, Governor McMaster announced that he had issued Executive Order 2020-17 that requires “non-essential” businesses in South Carolina to close for 15 days beginning today, Wednesday at 5:00 pm to help limit the spread of COVID-19. This is NOT a statewide stay-at-home order. The list of businesses deemed “non-essential” that must close is divided into three categories, as follows:
Entertainment venues and facilities:
-
Night clubs
-
Bowling alleys
-
Arcades
-
Concert venues
-
Theaters, auditoriums, and performing arts centers
-
Tourist attractions (including museums, aquariums, and planetariums)
-
Racetracks
-
Indoor children’s play areas (excluding daycare facilities)
-
Adult entertainment venues
-
Bingo halls
-
Venues operated by social clubs
Recreational and athletic facilities and activities:
-
Fitness and exercise centers and commercial gyms
-
Spas and public or commercial swimming pools
-
Group exercise facilities, to include yoga, barre, and spin studios or facilities
-
Spectator sports
-
Sports that involve interaction with another person in close proximity and within less than six (6) feet of another person
-
Activities that require the use of shared sporting apparatus and equipment
-
Activities on commercial or public playground equipment
Close-contact service providers:
-
Barbershops
-
Hair salons
-
Waxing salons
-
Threading salons
-
Nail salons and spas
-
Body-art facilities and tattoo services
-
Tanning salons
-
Massage-therapy establishments and massage services
*Clarification Provided by the SC Department of Commerce On Request: Businesses can complete the “Essential Business Clarification” form via the Department of Commerce’s website, email covid19sc@sccommerce.com, or call 803-734-2873 if they have a question about whether they fit into one of these categories. The department will review the request, and the business will receive a determination within 24 hours.
The Governor’s Office clarified: “If a business is not explicitly addressed in the governor’s executive order, the business should continue normal operations until a determination is made.”
**This Executive Order Pre-empts Conflicting Local Ordinances: The Governor’s executive order will pre-empt and supersede any local ordinance that conflicts with the order. Currently, Columbia and Charleston have adopted stay-at-home ordinances, and the City of Greenville is considering such an ordinance. Any part of those ordinances which conflict with the executive order is deemed null and void.
The Governor continued to reiterate that he does not have plans to issue a stay-at-home order in South Carolina at this time.
3.31.20
The Small Business Owners Guide
3.28.20
Link to Small Business Check-list for loan application
Census Bureau Update on 2020 Census Field Operations
MARCH 28, 2020 — Based on continuing assessments of guidance from federal, state and local health authorities, the U.S. Census Bureau is suspending 2020 Census field operations for two additional weeks to April 15. The Census Bureau is taking this step to help protect the health and safety of the American public, Census Bureau employees, and everyone who will go through the hiring process for temporary census taker positions.The Census Bureau continues to evaluate all 2020 Census field operations, and will communicate any further updates as soon as possible. The 2020 Census is open for self-response online at 2020census.gov, over the phone by calling the number provided in your invitation, and by paper through the mail.
3.19.2020 Winters Law Firm, An Analysis of H.R. 6201
Unemployment forms from SC WORKS:
MEMBER MESSAGE BOARD:
-
COVID-19: A message to our Founders members: Effective Monday, March 23, 2020, we will close our lobbies, keeping our drive-thrus open for our members. In keeping with our commitment to you, many of these drive-thrus will be open longer hours – from 7am - 7pm. Our Financial Services Representatives and Loan Officers will be available by phone during regular business hours. Our Contact Center, Card Services and eCommerce teams will be available Monday through Friday, from 7am - 7pm by calling 1-800-845-1614. Chester branch will have extended hours.
-
Visit www.chester.k12.sc.us for information on school feeding program during shut-down.
-
Spratt Savings Bank is open but their lobby is closed. Please use drive-through services.
-
DSS & SC Works have closed to public. Taking phone calls.
-
Library system is closed to public. May download books online! Wifi available in parking lots 7 a.m. until 9 p.m.
-
Many restaurants are open for take-out. Please place a to-go order.
-
Attention Walmart Customers:
3.18.20 Our store is temporarily operating from 7am to 8:30pm starting Thursday March 19th, 2020.
We will have reserved shopping days on every Tuesday starting March 24th until April 28th for our elderly customer (ages 60 & up) to shop our store and utilize the pharmacy from 6am-7am. We thank you for for your patience during this time.
-
From Crescent Creations: 3.18.20 A few small business owners and I have been talking and we’ve decided starting Monday we will be closed until further notice. We HOPE this will only be for a week! You may see a few cars at the shop. We will still be steadily working on orders and shipping out orders as they are ready! We strongly encourage you, if you have pickups to pickup tomorrow or Friday! Thank you all for your continued support and shopping with Crescent Creations! This decision has not come lightly at all but we want to keep everyone healthy and we want this virus gone!
-
FROM BUTTERMILKS BBQ: 3.18.20
We want to take time to thank everyone for being so loyal to us. ❤️ Without our loyal customers, our business wouldn’t be what it is today.
With this virus spreading, we have went above & beyond to prepare—making sure we are fully sanitized to be able to serve y’all. We will be open this week. We ask you to please try to call in & place your order so it will be less people inside trying to order / pay / waiting. 📱 If needed— we can bring your food outside to you or we will have delivery available for those who can’t come out. 🚗 Thank y’all for understanding during this time.🙏🏼 Please feel free to share this so we are able to get the word out. Again, THANK YOU so much for being understanding & THANK YOU for being loyal to us. ❤️❤️ -
Kona Ice of Lancaster and Chester cares for our community. Our KEV is NSF certified and we would be willing to help deliver meals or food to clients of our local non profits or schools if needed. Please contact us if we can help. 803-470-3435.
