How Cities are Helping Small Businesses During COVID-19

Some forecasts among economists and TV pundits suggest that the U.S. is poised for a swift recovery in the wake of COVID-19. Yet, like everything in 2020, there is far more to the story.

As you have probably heard by now, the economy is great for some folks, but not so great for others. For example, the August unemployment rate in the financial industry was just 4.2%. By comparison, the unemployment rate for the food service, leisure and hospitality industries was 21.3%. There is clearly a disparity, depending on the type of work.

Thankfully, cities are stepping up to help small businesses get back to pre-pandemic form. Many are offering grants, deferring taxes and providing other forms of financial relief.

Four Cities Helping Small Businesses During COVID-19

Here are four cities that are truly stepping up their small-business games – offering a variety of relief services to reeling business owners.

TOPEKA, KANSAS

topeka, kansas skyline

Have you wondered how Middle America has navigated the pandemic?

As small businesses and first responders bear the brunt of the coronavirus crisis, one program in Kansas is helping many stay afloat.

The Greater Topeka Partnership, an organization that creates economic growth for Kansas’ state capital, quickly pivoted to provide relief for its communities by launching the HOST Relief Program, an emergency fund for small businesses, displaced workers and first responders impacted by COVID-19.

Topeka’s program, recently featured in Next City, is funded through donations from large companies, distributing over $1 million to more than 285 small businesses in the capital city. Funds have also been donated to first responders and furloughed workers in the form of gift cards and vouchers, helping them purchase meals and supplies from local businesses.

ALLEN, TX

allen, tx

In Allen, Texas, a city of over 106,000 residents – and a northern suburb of Dallas – officials launched a $3 million small business grant program in June 2020 to speed the economic rebound.

Developed by the City of Allen Economic Recovery Task Force and led by the Allen Economic Development Corporation (AEDC), the program assists companies earning less than $15 million and provides up to $25,000 for recovery efforts.

Meanwhile, like many cities nationwide, officials in Allen also launched the #ShopAllenTX campaign – to help boost reopening efforts of the Allen business community (which is a retail leader for the surrounding area). The “Authentically Allen”/shop local campaign was also deployed by the economic task force and includes special promotions, discounts and offers “ensuring (that) residents are motivated to spend their dollars where it counts most,” the AEDC noted.

DETROIT, MICH.

detroit, michigan

With so many people doing their shopping online during the pandemic, a robust web presence is essential.

To curb the digital divide emerging with the rise of eCommerce, Detroit, Mich., has partnered with Rebrand Cities to create Digital Detroit. It is a free resource for Motown businesses offering website development, content creation and consultation for those seeking to establish an online presence during the economic downturn.

The partnership aims to get 10,000 small businesses online. According to Next City, eligible participants received instruction in website development (with three months of free hosting), branding, content creation and more.

The first group of Detroit-area businesses completed the course in July, and there is talk of offering the program to another cohort.

CHATTANOOGA, TENN.

chattanooga, tn

According to city officials and analysts, Chattanooga, Tenn., has the fastest and one of the least expensive high-speed internet services in the U.S., which has helped earn it the moniker “Gig City.”

Like the rest of the country, many small business owners in Chattanooga are challenged by everything from personal protective equipment (PPE) to      occupancy rates, child-care and obtaining financial assistance. The city put all of those gigabytes to good use by offering a series of webinars for its small businesses.

Each webinar features owners and managers of successful businesses, who share information on best practices and strategies to stay afloat. In one such webinar, members of the COVID-19 Joint Task Force were on hand to review safety guidelines for businesses reopening and continuing operations during COVID-19, local station WRCB-TV reported.

“We realize that a lot of our business owners kind of feel like they are lost at sea, and we don’t want them to feel that way,” said Jermaine Freeman, deputy chief of staff to the Chattanooga mayor, according to local outlet News 12 Now. “We want them to be able to open as safely as possible and to know all the guidelines in place.”

Moving Forward

Whether it is an economic task force, digital and creative assistance, gift cards and vouchers for furloughed workers, or other unique offerings, it is clear that cities of all sizes across the U.S. are doing what they can to aid their small businesses. The question remains: Will it be enough?

Know of any other cities that are finding innovative ways to help small businesses during the pandemic slowdown? Let us know in the comments below.

What Will the Post-COVID-19 Airport Look Like?

Remember way back in 2019 when infrastructure experts spoke of the improvements needed to make America’s airports dazzling centers of innovation?

Fast forward nine-plus months and the push to upgrade America’s airports has gone supersonic.

Prior to the pandemic, the U.S. government pledged to invest $485 million to improve and expand terminals and replace outdated airport buildings and amenities. But the COVID-19 virus threw a bit of a wrench into the plan. Now, airports must also develop ways to keep passengers, flight crews and employees safe from contagions to help ensure a new virus does not spread across the globe.

But there is a silver lining. Much of the technology needed to do so already exists. And the changes will ultimately make traveling less stressful.

Features of the Post-COVID-19 American Airport

With that in mind, let’s take a trip through a post-COVID-19 American airport.

SECURITY BEGINS IN AIRPORT PARKING LOTS

Many airports in Asia stop every vehicle to check for explosive devices. While American airports do not take such precautions, world-renowned airport architect, Luis Vidal, thinks this technique could be implemented to check the temperatures of every passenger arriving at the airport.

Vidal says, “Temperature control tests could be implemented at airport entrances or in the parking areas, which will double as registration and customer service areas. This will add another control measure prior to entry.”

But it does not stop there: When entering the terminal, rays of ultraviolet (UV) light may be utilized to disinfect passengers’ clothing – killing any viruses or germs they may be carrying.

close up of a green and blue eyeINNOVATIVE IDENTIFICATION TECHNIQUES BECOME REALITY

Vidal also thinks passports and other forms of identification (ID) could be read electronically, eliminating the stress-inducing experience of rummaging through bags of luggage for your ID.

“Artificial intelligence and big data will allow security controls to be equipped with facial recognition and electronic passport screening,” said Vidal.

In other words, a passenger’s face or iris will essentially become their passport, verified onsite at the terminal. It may sound like something from a sci-fi movie, but this technology is already being implemented by airlines here in the U.S.

TRANSFORMED SECURITY CHECKPOINTS

Over the past 19-plus years, passengers have been required to remove their shoes and belts as a security protocol for air travel. Vidal now argues that security does not necessarily have to be such a physical act. He notes that there is existing technology that can scan passengers and their luggage without visitors even knowing it.

If the scan picks up something fishy, security will politely approach the passenger to investigate the situation privately. No more TSA agents rummaging through your luggage in front of fellow travelers!

generated concept for pittsburgh international airportA NEW, UPGRADED TERMINAL EXPERIENCE

Above all else, flexibility is key. That means making every square foot work while still making travelers feel safe, secure and comfortable. It sounds like a tall order, but Vidal is already implementing these designs right here in the U.S.

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) has been a leader in COVID response. And the new proposed design for Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) from Gensler + HDR, in association with luis vidal + architects, is on the cutting edge of airport design. The facility is inspired by the region itself, incorporating nature, technology and “community.” Key design features include separate levels for departure and arrival, shorter walking distances, green squares/meeting spaces, ample space for concessions, artwork and amenities and an emphasis on sustainability.

It even features an undulating roof to match the “rolling” landscape and brought organic-looking columns to the terminal’s interior. The intensity of today’s security controls are reduced with PIT’s deliberate focus on the user and diminishing passenger stress.

Another mid-sized airport, Kansas City International, is in the midst of building a $1.5 billion terminal, which will consolidate three terminals into a single, 39-gate space, including a two-story fountain, a children’s play area and updated concessions. Kansas City officials are already exploring how to enhance traveler safety and health in the new terminal – including the possibility of conducting health screenings outside, according to a recent New York Times feature. As adjustments are needed, the design has flexibility built in, something older airports cannot do as easily.

kansas city international airport

A New Future of Flight

Clearly, airports in post-COVID-19 America will look and feel a lot different than they do today – and we have yet to discuss the transformation of the planes themselves! Nevertheless, as Vidal said, “Imagine if these developments help bring an end to those long security lines. That alone would be fantastic, wouldn’t it?”

In this modern, digitized system, security would certainly not take a back seat, either, as these biometric technologies would be right there to ensure a safe environment.

Have any ideas on the future of airports? Let us know in the comments below. Cheers!

How COVID-19 Has Experts Planning for Smarter Working and Living Spaces

Historians often point to 1968 as a watershed moment for our nation. War, social unrest and political upheaval were on everyone’s minds and new ideas were in the air. The events of that year fundamentally changed the direction of the country.

Fast forward to 2020.

As Hall of Famer (and longtime Montclair resident) Yogi Berra once said, “It’s like déjà vu all over again.” If ever there was a year tailor-made for Yogi-isms, 2020 is it.

One day, urban planning and building experts may come to think of 2020 in the same way historians think of 1968 – the year everything changed (or at least began to).

In Part I of our dive into city planning for a post-COVID world, we spoke with Bob Bennett, principal and founder of B2 Civic Solutions and the former chief innovation officer of Kansas City, Mo. Bennett offered some striking insight on the future of “smart” technologies in American cities – during and post-pandemic.

This week, we spoke with Violet PR client (and Montclair native) Tony Ianuale, chief operating officer (COO) and chief financial officer (CFO) of Jersey City, N.J.-based land-use firm, Dresdner Robin.

The firm, which provides creative solutions that emphasize technological innovation, specializes in site/civil engineering, land surveying, environmental services, planning, surveying and landscape architecture – in the revival of urban landscapes. Here’s what Ianuale had to say about the COVID-19 climate.

Working from Home — Welcome to the New Normal

Like most of us, Dresdner Robin employees have had to adapt to working from home (WFH), homeschooling the kids and copious amounts of Zoom meetings. Unlike the rest of us, Ianuale and his team have had to do so while continuing to perform critical field work.

The virus may have shut down most of the country, but clients still need the support of Dresdner Robin. So shortly after the COVID-19 lockdown, the firm quickly began representing clients in virtual regulatory meetings. By doing so, they found a way to prepare themselves and their clients for the new normal.

The Dresdner Robin team found that many large development projects in New Jersey’s urban centers were continuing despite COVID shutdowns. Dresdner Robin’s planners, then, worked quickly and efficiently – and also remotely – to acquire various approvals. The team also ramped up activity on the environmental front – providing key services to state transportation agencies.

“We’re learning and adapting as we go. So far, it’s been a smooth and enlightening process,” said Ianuale.

After spending the last six months in a WFH setup, many folks may not want to schlep back and forth to work five days a week. It is possible that employees may utilize the office for critical meetings and stay for a short time. But the days of spending eight-plus hours in an office may be gone for good. But Dresdner Robin has a plan for that.

“I envision redesigning our offices to adapt for flexible hours and larger meeting spaces, which can foster collaboration,” said Ianuale.

The Future of WFH Is Still TBD

mother working from home while she holds her child in her lapIndeed, workers are already adapting. Here in the Garden State, NJ Transit lost 98% of its ridership during the virus’ peak in April, with daily ticket sales plummeting from $1 million per day to $41,000. Things weren’t much better across the Hudson River, where Metro-North ridership plunged 90% during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

To be clear, things are looking up – including a marginal increase in ridership during the summer months and an overall increase (1%) in commercial traffic in July on the New Jersey Turnpike (compared to July 2019 figures), according to Mass Transit magazine.

Still, recent events could prove to be a seismic shift that fundamentally changes commuter towns all over the nation. If the trend continues, more livable spaces will be needed.

As Ianuale said, “People may not need a place to work five days per week. But everyone will still need a place to live.”

But it’s not just new construction. As anyone with kids (or a cat) can tell you, setting up a workspace in the bedroom or kitchen is a recipe for a migraine. So, existing homes may need to be retrofitted with an alcove or some other dedicated workspace. This is especially true for apartments and condos where residents are at greater risk of contracting COVID-19.

To combat the spread, some experts also suggest using antimicrobial finishes for high-touch surfaces, such as doors and elevator buttons, etc. In these more densely populated complexes, there will be an entirely new and deliberate focus on cleaning regimen – including higher frequency and new sanitization methods to boot.

While it remains too early to tell what definitive changes will occur in residential and commercial buildings in a post-COVID world, one thing is certain: we will be seeing substantial shifts.

Dresdner Robin’s Ianuale said it best, “There will be another pandemic at some point. We need to begin planning for it now.”

Did we miss anything? Have any insights you would like to share? Let us know in the comments below.