Both the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and the Bossier Chamber of Commerce have furloughed employees.
The Shreveport chamber furloughed all of its regular employees with the exception of president Tim Magner and the chief financial officer. Those employees federally funded through the Office of Government Contacting are still on the payroll.
The Bossier Chamber of Commerce furloughed four of its seven employees.
It is not known if either chamber reduced the salary of those remaining on the payroll.
Many companies have implemented across the board salary cuts and retained all employees. Others have substantially reduced salaries of top management.
Chambers of Commerce are classified as 501(c)6 non profit businesses/trade organizations. This category of non-profits was left out of the CARES ACT.
Lobbying efforts have started to include these organizations which include Shreveport's Downtown Development Authority in any subsequent stimulus bills.
Furloughed staff will be eligible for compensation through the state of Louisiana and/or the CARES ACT.