Flexibility for Small Businesses in time of Crisis

This post the latest in Rural Resurrection’s ongoing series regarding COVID-19. Rural Resurrection will be posting regularly about the virus’ impact on rural governments and what local leaders can do. Follow us to stay informed of recent posts as we all work our way through this as “we are all in this together”.

We are currently in the midst of a period of time that has been relatively unprecedented in modern history in relation to pandemics. The COVID-19 crisis that we are currently in is changing so much in the way we go about our daily lives. It is also having impacts on how federal, state, and local governments are dealing with a variety of issues.

The private sector is hurting as well. Especially small businesses, as highlighted in the earlier post about available loans in the wake of this tragedy. However, there’s other ways that local governments can help small businesses in this time of need.

Everyone is tasked with social distancing now. Some communities are on total lock down, unless you have specific business. Restaurants, paint shops, and other small businesses are struggling from the lack of sales as people stay home. Still, resilient store owners are finding ways to survive in this time of hardship.

One thing that many businesses are doing is pushing the availability of curbside service. Through curbside service patrons can receive the goods they are wishing to acquire without entering and mingling with other patrons who are potentially infected with the virus. The series of pictures below is a good example of such curbside service as highlighted by Main Street Alabama.

Main Street programs help local restaurants remain #MainStreetStrong by providing signage and designated parking for curbside pickup. pic.twitter.com/1thzf5BMcB

— Main Street Alabama (@MainStreetAl) March 18, 2020

Interestingly these two images show ways that communities can be more flexible in these tough times to the small businesses that help to form the commercial backbone of each village, town, and city throughout the Unites States.

Show them the Sign

The first is temporary signage. Many communities require permits for all temporary signage. Now may be a good time to relax the requirement for temporary sign permits (until a pre-determined date) to allow advertising of the availability of curbside service. It may not be the aesthetic preference of the community to allow for the proliferation of these signs. But this is a tough time that your community might view as a time of temporary adjustment.

Temporarily Drive Through

The other aspect that communities can consider is the policing of the curbside assistance. Typically, businesses are not allowed to block off parking in public streets as depicted in the image in the lower right corner. Although as this image shows, it may not be much of a problem, as there are not many cars in that view. Yet, this too can be temporary during this time. It may not be something that is written that it is approved, but allowed to happen organically.

Provide Information

Some communities are providing web pages to assist local businesses with the information and resources they need. Shoreline Michigan has a great example of this type of page:

Shoreline, Michigan – COVID-19 Resources for Local Businesses

This page provides links to webinars, childcare center availability, information on economic injury disaster loans and more.

Remember, we are all in this together. If the small businesses cannot survive this, local governments will have issues as well. Stay strong and help each other.