Living through this coronavirus pandemic feels like the days are flying by, but yet time seems to be standing still. I was an early observer of social distancing, limiting meetings the week before St. Patrick’s Day. Then we spent a week inside isolating ourselves at our offices, before switching to work-from-home last Friday. My significant other’s law office saw a halt in cash flow as the courts were among the first to close. With deals being halted and property showings drying up, my real estate business saw the same drastic business reduction. We are confident, though, that both businesses will survive, and perhaps some current changes will be made permanent, such as the practice of remote closings.
The Putnam County Business Council is a resource for Putnam businesses, landlords and not-for-profits. We recently rebranded, launching a new website (www.putnamcountybusinesscouncil.com) that features a blog with timely and relevant business information. The new site, coupled with our active social media presence, is helping us to be more responsive to businesses' needs during this crisis.
On Friday, March 20th, we co-hosted a successful webinar with the SBA to clarify details about the Small Business Administration's disaster loan program. We will continue to offer a weekly webinar every Friday at 4PM to keep our business community up-to-date on pertinent information on COVID-19, public safety, financial resources, employer resources, etc. We are confident that financial resources will be made available to those in need. It will start to flow soon.Stay tuned.
Businesses are adapting to the situation. For example, Sarah’s House of Health is teaching wellness techniques via the internet, Bucci’s Deli is converting to a grocery store, and Jaymark Jewelers is using Facebook Live to sell goods and services. Tompkins Mahopac Bank is offering a loan assistance program for customers hit by COVID-19, and restaurants now offer delivery and takeout. Many of these new models will become permanent, as these concepts prove popular with potential customers, changing how our economy works. Many “DIY” kits are being offered to keep kids busy -- even Pizza kits!
Some are tapping into their own resources to give back as much as possible. Clocktower Grill is offering “IOU” meals for those with financial need. Nancy Montgomery, Jenn Lee, Charlotte Palmer, Aric Kupper, and Kathleen Foley started a group to make masks, adding Kei Reing, Erin Crowley and over 100 people to sew them! Amy Sayegh of Community Cares is working with us to utilize a $10,000 grant to feed people in need, and along with Faith Butcher of the United Way, we are co-sponsoring the delivery of free meals from local restaurants to people in need and first responders.
The message of this Pandemic is SHIFT. Take the time to plant the seeds of your future. If you need help, reach out. Look on our Facebook page and our website for details on upcoming webinars and our COVID-19 resource page. We are all in this together.
C