BRAC joined a coalition of 33 partners today to celebrate the importance of getting back to work and being safe in our workplaces. The Back to Business BR campaign will air in print, on billboards, on TV and radio over the coming weeks, encouraging the community and the public that our economy and our businesses need a jolt of activity now more than ever.
The #b2bBR campaign is exciting because of its mission to help create a positive vibe after so many dark days of business closures and job destruction. We know we’re not at the finish line either. The most important way to protect and scale up the economy will be through safe work practices. BRAC has focused on a message of “Safe at Work” since releasing our reopening framework for the state economy, endorsed by nearly 60 business associations and groups. It’s vitally important to embrace strong safety protocols for your businesses, taking care of your employees, vendors, contractors, and – of course – your customers and clients. We invite you to review our favorite online resources for safe reopening plans, which you can find on the BRAC Recovery page under Business Resources>Safe at Work>Reopening Resources Links. We have also been impressed with OpenSafely.la.gov as a business resource, created by the Office of the State Fire Marshal to give sector-by-sector safety guidance in detail.
As businesses get back to work with safety top of mind, we invite those in need of PPE to check out our PPE Marketplace, launched in partnership with Lyons Specialty Company, LLC to source and supply PPE at competitive rates to the Capital Region business community. The purchasing collaborative has served more than 240 customers and is going strong!
Another reopening resource to consider is the Capital Area United Way’s 2-1-1 initiative, which recently expanded its services to respond to business inquiries looking for reopening guidance and resources.
As for our team, BRAC will reopen its physical office on Monday, May 18 with a soft reopening for voluntary return by our staff, while we continue to encourage remote work for as many as possible. We have put in place strong safety provisions and will #MaskUpBR ourselves, with an order of face coverings made through the Sewing Safe Project of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge. While we will be open, we ask visitors to contact us electronically as our first preference to help you. We will not be hosting any in-person meetings, and all staff, guests or vendors will be screened for risk factors prior to entering.
Share the #b2bBR hashtag to spread community confidence on your social platform of choice, and please tag BRAC (@BRAC_BatonRouge on Twitter or @BRAreaChamber on Facebook)!
Adam Knapp
Adam Knapp is president and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. Knapp oversees all activities at BRAC and guides the strategic vision for the organization.