Results of Small Business Survey Released
Written by Dan Fischer on May 13, 2020
The Genesee County Economic Development Center, Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, the Batavia Development Corporation and the Batavia Business Improvement District appreciate the response of small businesses to a recently conducted on-line survey.
With the anticipated resumption of manufacturing and construction services in the Finger Lakes Region on May 15, 2020 the business organizations are looking to collaborate in developing a plan to assist small businesses on Main Streets in city, towns and villages across Genesee County to help them ready for their re-opening.
“Governor Cuomo’s NY Forward plan provides a path for Genesee County and the Finger Lakes Region to reopen intelligently and safely,” said GCEDC President and CEO Steve Hyde. “The input of our small business community, manufacturers and local leaders shows that re-opening safely is a shared priority, and our economic development team supports that mission.”
Conducted the week of May 4th, more than 100 businesses in various sectors, including dining/hospitality, entertainment, fitness, medical services, non-profit, professional services and retail completed the on-line survey. Among the highlights:
● Challenges to Re-Opening:
Businesses see getting customers back into their doors (63% highest or next highest), access to PPE (46% highest or next highest) and developing a safe re-opening plan (41% highest or next highest) as their biggest challenges to re-opening.
● Financial Assistance:
63% of businesses applied for either the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) or Payroll Protection Program (PPP) programs. Of those that applied, 50% had received EIDL assistance, and 82% had received PPP assistance.
● Interest in Business Supported Programming:
Respondents support a coordinated Genesee County Shop Local campaign (87%) expressed interest in safety plan development and training (45%).
Along these lines, the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce will host a Zoom Webinar on Thursday, May 14th from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. featuring Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee County.
The topics to be covered during the webinar include the status of the County’s reopening; formulating a reopening plan for your business; sanitation and social distancing tips at your workplace; and, reopening guidance from the Genesee County and Orleans County Health Departments.
For more information on the webinar contact the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce at: 343-7440.
