The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce has established a new coalition designed to advocate for better care of the region’s senior/elderly population.

The Tri-City Senior Care Support Coalition is made up of industry and community leaders, including: Carol Moser (Executive Director, Greater Columbia Accountable Community of Health), Roy Wu (Owner, Advent Care & Home Instead Senior Care), LoAnn Ayers (President and CEO, United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties), Johannah Weeks (Co-Owner, Chinook Home Care), and Kirk. F. Williamson (Program Manager, Benton-Franklin Community Health Alliance).

On Wednesday, May 13, the coalition sent a letter to U.S. Senators Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell and Representative Dan Newhouse. The letter outlined three issues for consideration: 

1. Classify Care Givers as Healthcare Workers
   
2. Include hazard pay, stipends, and/or tax relief for Care Givers (Healthcare Workers) for future legislation to incentivize hiring
   
3. Provide support for local supply chain sourcing of PPE’s to senior care facilities

As COVID-19 has ripped through the region, the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce has been tirelessly working to support its members as well as the community at large.

“As the voice for business in the Tri-Cities, the Regional Chamber strives to bridge the divide between businesses and available resources. Sometimes during this process, gaps in service and resources are revealed – and we help fill them,” said Lori Mattson, President and CEO of the Regional Chamber.

Help Is here. 

Many business owners are struggling to understand the ever-changing available resources during the COVID-19 crisis. The Tri-City Regional Chamber is launching the Business Resource Rapid Response line to provide guidance for Tri-City businesses to connect with the resources available at the local, regional, state and federal levels. 

The Regional Chamber's Government and Regional Affairs Director, Stephanie Swanberg, will be fielding calls on the response line  Monday through Thursday from 10 am - 12 pm at 509-546-1613.

The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce is here to help you connect to available options and new resources.

We will navigate this crisis, together.