Economic Vitality Committee Agenda and Packet 2020 12 18

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Cxty0f ECONOMIC VITALITY COMMITTEE Louisville COLORADO -SINCE 1.878 SUBJECT: DISCUSSION/DIRECTION- BUSINESS PANDEMIC SUPPORT RECOMMENDATIONS DATE: DECEMBER 18, 2020 PRESENTED BY: MEGAN E. PIERCE, ECONOMIC VITALITY DIRECTOR SUMMARY: At the November 24 Special Council meeting, staff was directed to develop new recommendations to support Louisville businesses that continue to be most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and current Level Red: Severe Risk restrictions. This memo includes staff's recommendations of the priority actions, as well as outlines other opportunities that could be pursued in the future. If there is consensus around the immediate recommendations, staff will prepare to submit for Council action at the next regular meeting: January 5, 2021. DISCUSSION: Programming To -Date: Louisville's business response to the COVID-19 pandemic started in late March with an impact survey. The City received 129 responses within a week of survey distribution. This data helped inform early business support efforts, including the Emergency Solutions Grant program, which included $250,000 of General Fund monies and a $100,000 contribution from the Louisville Revitalization Commission (LRC). Grant checks of $5,000 were mailed on April 30 to 70 recipients. The Emergency Solutions Grant program received 180 applications; due to insufficient funds, there were 53 businesses that were eligible but did not receive a grant. A key component of business support has been and remains communications and marketing. Over 40 business specific e-blasts have been sent by staff since April — attempting to keep businesses informed about public health orders, financial opportunities, and best practices. The Support Local campaign —raising awareness in the Louisville community about the importance of spending locally —launched in March. Over 80 businesses submitted information on their hours, promotions, gift cards, etc. to be featured. The City also developed a map of restaurants that were offering takeout and delivery services. In November, in place of a focus on Small Business Saturday, the City launched the Small Business Season campaign. Again, this campaign focuses on local spending, as well as on ways to patronize businesses to limit in -person contact. Staff is excited that a new component of this campaign will be launching in 2021 to generate interest in our diverse business community in months (January and February) that are traditionally most challenging for retailers. Focusing on how to help our businesses learn and collaborate to survive the unprecedented public health and economic circumstances, the City hosted two webinar series exclusively for Louisville businesses during the pandemic. The first, Thriving in Agenda Packet P. 6