Services include free internet for residential customers for 60 days

QUINCY, Mass, March 20, 2020 – Atlantic Broadband, the nation’s eighth-largest cable operator, is working to ensure that its customers and the public have access to the internet during the COVID-19 outbreak.  New services include the following:

·         Atlantic Broadband Internet Assist:  Atlantic Broadband has introduced “Atlantic Broadband Internet Assist” for a limited time for residents in need in its service areas who do not presently have internet with Atlantic Broadband. The new 15 x 1 Mbps service, normally priced at $9.99 per month plus taxes, will be offered free for 60 days. New Atlantic Broadband Internet Assist customers also will receive free installation and a free modem with the service.

·         Atlantic Broadband Business Assist:  For Atlantic Broadband business customers that want to supply at home workers with voice and internet services, the company is also introducing a new “Atlantic Broadband Business Assist Package” which includes 50 Mbps High Speed Internet, a modem, a Hosted Voice Seat, and a Polycom Phone (or equivalent).  It is being offered on a temporary basis at the discounted rate of $29.99 (a savings of approximately $100/month off standard prices).

·         Free Virtual Extension:  Recognizing that employees are now in work-from-home situations, Atlantic Broadband will for a limited time allow existing Hosted Voice business customers to add an additional hosted voice seat to their account free.  This will provide employees who are working from home a virtual extension to their business phone system.  The extension can be used on a smartphone (iOS or Android) or computer (PC/Mac).

·         Free WiFi Hotspots:  Atlantic Broadband has opened up its WiFi Hotspots free to the public.  For locations visit: https://atlanticbb.com/my-services/my-account/wifi-hotspots

“We know that many people are now working from home or have school-aged children who are now at home and must connect to the internet for online course work,” said Heather McCallion, Vice President of Product and Programming for Atlantic Broadband. “Our new internet offerings are an affordable way for communities to stay connected at this challenging time.”

The company also announced other initiatives in connection with the COVID-19 outbreak:
 

• TV Freeviews: Recognizing that customers are spending more time at home, the company has announced that it will provide the EPIX premium channel free for all Atlantic Broadband video customers from March 20, 2020 through April 3, 2020. Fox News Channel and CNN also will be opened to all video subscribers (3/20 – 4/17/20), along with Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries (3/20 – 5/13/20).

 

• Precautionary Measures:  In order to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus at its office locations where customers transact face-to-face, Atlantic Broadband has discontinued front-counter service at its office locations effective Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Customers have been informed of multiple options that are available that do not involve the need to travel to an office location for payments, equipment returns and other questions.  

 

• Keeping Customers Connected:  Atlantic Broadband is supporting the FCC’s “Keep Americans Connected” initiative:  Atlantic Broadband will not terminate service and will waive late fees for any residential or small business customer because of their inability to pay their bills due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

ABOUT ATLANTIC BROADBAND
Atlantic Broadband, a subsidiary of Cogeco Communications Inc. (TSX: CCA), is the eighth- largest cable operator in the United States, based on the number of television service customers served. The company provides its residential and business customers with Internet, TV and Phone services in 11 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Atlantic Broadband is headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts. To learn more about Atlantic Broadband, please visit www.atlanticbb.com.

ABOUT ATLANTIC BROADBAND BUSINESS
Atlantic Broadband Business delivers advanced Video, Internet, Business WiFi and Phone services to small and medium businesses over a highly reliable, fiber-rich, high-capacity network. It also offers customized, scalable Metro Ethernet enterprise solutions, including dedicated fiber with symmetrical speeds up to 10 Gbps, point-point and multipoint transport, and Hosted Voice solutions. Atlantic Broadband supports its business clients with 24/7 network monitoring and technical support, professional client care, and dedicated local account executives. To learn more, visit atlanticbb.com/business.

 

As of March 18 Atlantic Broadband has closed its front-counter service locations. In light of ongoing developments related to COVID-19, the company is working hard to make sure customers have multiple options that will allow them to safely, without the risk of travel or face-to-face interactions, make payments, equipment returns and ask other questions. Below is an outline of options.

Atlantic Broadband Support Options:  

Online:

• Customers already enrolled in online bill pay, can pay online 24/7 by visiting: https://atlanticbb.com/online-account-manager)
• For Customers who haven’t signed up for online bill pay, it’s simple.  You’ll just need your Atlantic Broadband account number (see your monthly invoice for your account number; if you’re unsure what your account number is, just call them for help). 
• Once signed up or logged on, customers can make one-time payments via check or credit card. 
• Additionally, customers can setup automatic, recurring payments if preferred

Phone: Customers can pay through Atlantic Broadband’s automated phone system without the need to speak to a representative.   This includes one-time and recurring payments. Please call 888-536-9600.

Mail: Customers can mail payment to lockbox: PO BOX 371801 PITTSBURGH PA 15250-7801

Technical Support:
For questions service issues, there are online tools to help troubleshoot your modem, manage your payment options and check outages online athttps://atlanticbb.com/my-services. Customers can also reach use the methods below.

• Phone: 888-536-9600
• Atlantic Broadband’s Chat feature
• Online Email: https://atlanticbb.com/email-us-form
• Additional info is  on Facebook (@Atlanticbb) or Twitter (@AtlanticBBInc)

Equipment Returns:
Customers who need to return equipment such as modems, remote controls or set top boxes, should call Atlantic Broadband directly for instructions. 
 

Introduction
 
The purpose of the White Haven Chamber of commerce is to promote business and economic development, creating opportunities for strategic partnerships between businesses and community, bringing prosperity to our area.  
 
We rely on the vast knowledge, skills, and abilities inherent within our business community along with those of our government counterparts and community civic organizations to accomplish our goals.  These strategic partnerships are essential to success as no single organization or function alone possesses the capability to create all necessary change important to our areas economic growth and prosperity.
 
Our first focus is business – preserving business, enhancing business, and expanding opportunities for growth of business.  When businesses thrive, communities prosper.  We recognize inaction erodes the public’s trust and, more disturbingly, our future and that of future generations.  To this end, the Greater White Haven Area Chamber of Commerce has established the position of Director of Business Development and Incentives.  Our Director of Business Development and incentives is tasked to develop a vision, plans and most importantly, act with a sense of urgency to get things done on behalf of the people of White Haven and the surrounding areas.  
 
Our initial Business Development plan reflects our understanding of the many economic challenges facing us, our core values, and our focused commitment towards 1) revitalization, 2) creating and enhancing community business opportunities and, 3) building alliances. We will:
 
1. Promote businesses who employ others and assist employers in overcoming obstacles to hiring qualified employees;
2. strongly promote women, minority, and veteran owned businesses;
3. strongly promote business that provides for the health and wellness of our citizens and that provide critical area infrastructure support and services;
4. strongly promote e-commerce businesses;
5. provide businesses with information and assistance locating business financing and local suppliers;
6. aid in development of business plans and navigating startup;
7. work with private investors and investment groups looking to invest in our community;
8. facilitate partnerships between businesses and industries to promote growth;
9. support efforts by businesses seeking expansion;
10. sponsor business educational programs; and
11. leverage our non-profit status to promote and support business ventures.
 
 
 
 
Revitalization Strategies
 
We firmly believe economic development is the engine that drives area sustainability.  Therefore, we will find ways to bring new business growth into our community.
 
We recognize empty and abandoned buildings have their own negative impact, lowering property values and perpetuating more empty and abandoned buildings.  Vacant, and undeveloped commercial lots also pose squatting, vandalism, theft, insurance, and appearance issues.
 
A large amount of business and property owners are sitting on commercial space that’s currently empty. Some of this stems from previous economic downturns, and personal or public disasters.  Our objective is to promote revitalization of available commercial properties, a reemergence of the White Haven Main Street, and to bring business into the Greater White Haven area.  
 
Our Revitalization goals are:
 
1. Annually, create a consolidated vacant commercial property listing to match potential business with properties. Contact all property owners to encourage business development and utilization.
2. Annually, create a consolidated new business “WISH” list reflecting the business desires of the Chamber, local civic organizations, and local government agencies.  The Chamber will then target and solicit these types of businesses to establish themselves in the area. Our 2018 business WISH list revolves around three categories of businesses – retail business, professional service businesses, and housing businesses.
 
RETAIL BUSINESSES
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
HOUSING
Transportation Services
Doctors – GP, Dentist, Optometrist
 
Planned unit development
Daycare
Lawyers
Rental Property
Dollar Store
Podiatrist
Professional Services Building
Afterschool Program
Chiropractor
 
Chinese Restaurant or one that delivers
Counseling Services
 
mid-priced family restaurant
Senior Center
 
Coffee Shop/Drive thru
Community Center
 
Pet Store/Dog Groomer
Community Bank
 
Bakery
Senior Care/Rehabilitation Services
 
 
Urgent Care Center
 
 
3. We will establish an aggressive marketing campaign utilizing our website in-bound marketing, targeted mailings, and networking to solicit targeted businesses and markets into our area.
4. We will build a directory of available, recommended funding sources (banking, etc.) to incentivize new businesses.
5. We will join into a consortium with the Freeland Development Authority to identify and match prospective business owners to available properties.
6. We will work with business alliance groups, the Small Business Administration, State and Federal agencies to obtain available funding and grants for development of area business.
 
Creating and Enhancing Community Business Opportunities Strategies
 
Our attitude is that business opportunities abound. Our principle objective is to become a community business magnet, attracting entrepreneurship and business, successfully bringing prosperity back into our area.  We resolve never to abandon this take-action spirit.
 
Successful businesses fill a need, making people’s lives easier, faster, and more meaningful.  Simply put, they add value to people’s lives. This must also be done while providing a product or service at the right price according to the area market.
 
We recognize entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders and investors are a rare breed.  Success is never guaranteed and rarely immediate.  We must commit to supporting smart business, tailored to our location, with resources needed to help the business succeed.
 
Our Creating Community Business Opportunities goals are:
 
1. We will establish an investment group, commissioned by the Chamber via charter, consisting of Chamber members – the newly formed Business Development Commission – used to develop business growth.  The Chamber will own buildings, land and/or space to be developed and/or leased.
2. We will establish an investment fund that the Chamber can use to assist with capital needs of new and/or expanding area businesses.
3. We will seek out for-profit, private investors and private investment groups willing to invest in our area and match them to area entrepreneurs and business owners seeking capital.
4. We will establish a Business and Education Association as a 501(c)3 entity under the chamber umbrella to develop and administer programs targeted towards 1) area high school students preparing them for the workforce and encouraging members to hire locally; 2) internships aligning college, college bound and trade school students with local businesses and; 3) scholarships for college, college bound and trade schools students.
5. We will integrate an online training and education capability into our website for members covering a myriad of business related topics.
 
 
 
Building Alliances Strategies
 
Our connections make us who we are.  Cooperative alliances between businesses increase growth, revenue opportunities, creates additional value for clients, facilitates new introductions and referrals, fosters the exchange of ideas and serves as a problem-solving forum.
 
Joining together those with shared business interests alongside government and civic organizations creates multiple, flexible, collaborative networks that benefits both community and business.
 
Our objective is twofold.  First, we must proactively attract new business members from select community and business segments that fit our area’s needs.  Second, we will initiate events that provide for positive networking among all Chamber members, local civic organizations, and government to ensure timely and accurate situational awareness.
 
Our Building Alliances Goals are:
 
1. Working jointly with the Director of Community Engagement and Marketing, create and publish a quarterly area community events calendar posted on the Chamber website.  This calendar will include scheduled government meetings and events, civic organization meetings and events, and Chamber meetings and events.
2. Arrange for bi-monthly guest speakers from throughout the community at scheduled Chamber meetings.
3. Host a semi-annual legislative breakfast meeting.
4. Host an annual Area Business Alliance Summit.
5. Develop a President’s coalition to meet on a semi-annual basis.
6. Establish and promote the area Preferred Provider Network.
7. Actively pursue and promote the Member-to-Member discount program.