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FROM STAFF REPORTS

PELHAM – The Shelby County Chamber has launched a virtual networking forum and, along with 58 INC., a Business Toolkit—both efforts designed to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The #ShopShelbyCounty social media campaign—a virtual take on networking often utilized by businesspeople at traditional Chamber events—is intended to allow businesses to share the steps they are taking to navigate the days ahead.

“Over the coming weeks, our favorite restaurants, hotels, shops, salons, theaters, markets and other Shelby County businesses are going to see a decline in visitors,” read a note announcing the launch of #ShopShelbyCounty.

The Chamber encourages consumers—businesses and individuals—to support local businesses by:

• Shopping online with Shelby County businesses.
• Ordering food to go.
• Using available curbside service for our groceries and other purchases.
• Buying gift cards or certificates to use today or for a later date. Gift cards and certificates produce immediate cash flow, which is the lifeblood of local businesses.
• When appropriate, tip as generously as possible.
• When posting on social media, use the hashtag #ShopShelbyCounty so that others can see what our Shelby County business community has to offer during this unique time.

The Chamber and 58 INC. also launched a COVID-19 Business Toolkit that is available at ShelbyChamber.org/business-support-center/covid-19.

“The toolkit has been created to provide Shelby County businesses with a one-stop location for resources and information they can use during the current business environment,” read an announcement about the toolkit. “The Chamber’s staff will be working with several agencies and 58 INC. to update the Business Toolkit to add additional resources which Shelby County businesses can access over the next several weeks. As additional resources are added, the Chamber and 58 INC. will keep the business community updated.”