Pub. 1 2019-20 Issue 3

Pub. Year 1 2019-2020 Issue 3 5 WVADA O n March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization labeled COVID-19 as a global pandemic, forever changing the economic landscape throughout the U.S. and abroad. WVADA understands how this has affected our local communities and more spe - cifically, our franchised dealers. WVADA and its members worked with the Governor’s office to allow our members the flexibility to proceed accordingly, with business operations, due to the automotive industry being deemed “essential” in theMarch 16 Executive Order. Governor Justice understands the positive economic impact WVADA members have on our local and state economies. On behalf of WVADA and its members, we appreciate the governor’s office in working with our industry during this unprecedented time. West Virginia dealerships stepped up, abided by state issued protocols, and utilized innovative methods to selling and servicing their customer’s vehicles. While this current environment seems to be our “new normal,” WVADA will continue to work with state officials to ensure that dealers have the necessary tools to remain competitive. Furthermore, the WVADA Executive Committee and Board of Directors allocated $15,000 from the Legal Defense Fund to aid dealers with COVID-19 issues from March 23 to May 30. This aid allowed complimentary legal guidance to all dealers in good standing of the Legal Defense Fund. WVADA gave dealers the ability to contact our preferred law firms, Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown and Poe and Jackson Kelly, to obtain guidance of a general nature regarding the new laws enacted by Congress surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the Legal Defense Fund sponsored two webinars hosted by Jackson Kelly: COVID-19 Issues for HR Professionals, and How to Maximize the Forgivable Portion of Your PPP Loan — What We Know Now. Slides and recordings from both webinars can be accessed on WVADA’s COVID-19 resource WV Dealerships Essential — WVADA Aids Members Via Legal Defense Fund President’s Message