The Mayfield/Graves County Chamber of Commerce is asking the public for assistance in reaching out to state representatives to request funding for small chambers.
The Mayfield/Graves County Chamber closed its doors to the public early March due to COVID-19. A release from the chamber said funding assistance programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program through the CARES Act, or grants from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s have not been made available to the chamber.
Funding for the chamber comes from membership dues and event sponsorships. The release event sponsorships make 44% of the chamber’s annual revenue. The revenue that would usually come from the Mayfield/Graves County Chamber Women in Business luncheon and the Annual Dinner and Farm to Table Dinner is in jeopardy, depending on whether large-scale events can be held later this year.
According to the release, the lack of revenue and ineligibility for relief funding has left the Mayfield/Graves County Chamber in an unsustainable position. Denise Thompson, who filed for unemployment benefits as of May 1, is the president of the Mayfield/Graves County Chamber of Commerce.
“Until we can bring in additional revenue or become eligible for federal funding, we will be working on a significantly reduced schedule of hours,” Thompson said in a press release.
The Kentucky Chamber and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have been advocating on the behalf of small chambers. However, the Mayfield/Graves County Chamber said they continue to be overlooked for funding. Thompson said a planned bill to be sponsored by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz could provide relief for chambers of commerce.
“It is encouraging to see that Texas Senator Ted Cruz announced plans to file a bill that would allow chamber's to access federal money,” Thompson said in a release.
The chamber is requesting the public send Kentucky state representatives an email this week, urging support for chambers of commerce to be included in future federal funding.
