University of Illinois College of ACES
Governments look for ways to help small businesses
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[September 15, 2020]
URBANA, Ill. - Community leaders across
Illinois are working hard to adopt and overcome challenges posed by
the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new survey conducted by
University of Illinois Extension. Town, city, and county leaders
across the state are concerned about the health of residents and
economic impact on local businesses, employers, and local
governments.
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Survey responses were collected May 11-25, 2020,
with 163 local elected officials, business owners, and organization
leaders from 58 counties across the state, including Cook County.
Local governments, businesses, and organizations reported spending
substantial time modifying operations in response to the pandemic to
comply with public health guidelines. This includes event planning
and rescheduling, shifting services online, modified procedures for
social distancing, PPEs, and other measures to protect employees and
the public. Other focus areas included business assistance
activities, such as providing access to emergency loans and grant
programs, community outreach and assistance to vulnerable
populations, and emergency operations and health care support.
According to the survey, the biggest challenges local governments
and businesses faced going forward included reduced revenues,
disruptions of community life, and threats to health and safety,
including mental health. At the time of the survey (May 11-25),
economic and budget concerns outweighed worries about a virus
resurgence 7 to 1.
Most local organizations reported receiving information and advice
on COVID-19 response online, through webinars, websites, social
media, and email. Although 55% of respondents reported receiving
“about the right volume of information,” nearly 40% reported
receiving “too much,” and only 5% “too little” information.
Respondents split evenly on whether that information was helpful
(51%), with 14% indicating information received was not helpful and
35% stating it was only partially helpful.
Information that was considered helpful included business-relevant
information; local health data; concise, uniform, and research-based
information; and information on safety. Information deemed less
helpful was described as repetitive, contradictory, voluminous, or
overly political.
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Illinois Extension’s Community and Economic
Development team conducted the survey, in part, to ensure Extension
resources were meeting community needs. Examples of COVID-19 related
Extension information include:
University of Illinois Extension’s Resources for Responding to
COVID-19: Organized topically with help for businesses,
communities, families, and agricultural producers.
University of Illinois Extension’s COVID-19 Resources for Businesses
and Local Governments: Help for communities and businesses
to identify strategies, resources, and data for addressing the
COVID-19 crisis.
University of Illinois Extension’s Building Entrepreneurial
Communities Blog: Loan and Grant Programs for Small
Businesses Impacted by COVID-19: Information about the current
grants and loans for small businesses.
University of Illinois Extension’s Community & Economic Development
Website: Links to Illinois Extension’s Community and
Economic Development program offerings.
University of Illinois Extension’s Local Government Education
Program: List of upcoming local government education
webinars and recordings of past webinars presented by experts on
topics relevant to local governments.
[SOURCE: Zach Kennedy, Specialist,
Community and Economic Development, Illinois Extension
WRITER: Stephen Wald, Senior Coordinator, Public Relations and
Government Affairs, Illinois Extension] |