Economic Vitality Committee Agenda and Packet 2021 05 27

Home Browse Search

SUBJECT: COVID-19 BUSINESS IMPACT FOLLOW-UP SURVEY RESULTS DATE: MAY 21, 2021 PAGE5OF5 though, how the loss of revenues and changes in business models from the pandemic, may impact the ability of businesses to invest over time. The Louisville Revitalization Commission has expressed a desire to study a facade improvement program that would provide matching funds to businesses within the Urban Renewal Area making exterior improvements to properties. There may be a benefit to offering funds to ensure that commercial properties are maintained and improved over time as businesses try to recover from revenue losses or deferred payments they may owe. Another opportunity in this same area might be to fund pilot commercial sustainability programs, such as offering compostable takeaway materials to food & beverage establishments. Staff continues to hear that businesses desire to have help with marketing and promotion. At the broadest level, the desire is for Louisville to do more marketing of the City as a whole, to attract visitors and locals to patronize businesses. The desire also indicates that some businesses continue to need resources to provide more specific marketing and branding of individual businesses. The campaigns the City has provided have been well received, but the capacity to design and undertake a more significant campaign in-house is limited. Lastly, the pandemic has made clear how critical it is to have diverse resources available to our business community. Since the City cannot provide for the diversity of needs with existing staff, connections to organizations such as the Boulder Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Workforce Boulder County, Manufacturer's Edge, Commuting Solutions, and others, become more important. While these organizations provide general resources and programming available to Louisville businesses, it may not always address the one-on-one dynamics of recovery or growth our business community is experiencing. Staff is exploring if there may be opportunities to offer more customized programming to Louisville businesses through partner organizations. When the City hosted two webinar series in 2020 with and for our local businesses, the opportunity was very well received. Staff is interested in how the EVC envisions business support, especially as it relates to ARPA funding, in the near future and seeks feedback on the ideas outlined above. RECOMMENDATION: Review survey results and provide feedback to staff. ATTACHMENTS: • Attachment #1: 2021 COVID-19 Business Impact Follow -Up Survey Results. Agenda Packet P. 10