As local and state governments issue shelter-in-place orders, asking residents to remain home for all but essential errands, businesses — especially small local businesses — across the U.S. are facing difficult decisions. These institutions are crucial to our nation's economy, employing 58.9 million people in the United States, or about 47.5% of the total private sector workforce.
My company, FASTSIGNS International, is included in these measures. We are a franchise brand with individual units owned and operated by local entrepreneurs. Businesses like ours support other businesses and organizations by providing signage and visual graphics for conferences, trade shows, events, point of purchase displays, and promotional advertisements. Suddenly — but understandably — demand for these services has dropped. Our business isn't alone.
And here's another article:
As the U.S. shuts down, StockX’s business is booming, says its CEO – TechCrunch
StockX , the high-flying resale marketplace that connects buyers and sellers of sneakers, streetwear, handbags and other collectible items, has seen its fortune rise along with the $6 billion global sneaker resale market, which is part of the broader $100 billion sneaker category. In fact, the company, which was assigned a billion-dollar-plus valuation last year, says $1 billion worth of merchandise was sold through its platform last year.
The big question is whether StockX can maintain its momentum. Not only are other rivals biting at the heels of the five-year-old, Detroit-based outfit, which has raised roughly $160 million from investors, but some believe the streetwear "bubble" is on the verge of bursting. Add to the mix a pandemic that’s putting millions of people out of work (and in some cases jeopardizing the health of those still showing up), and you might assume that answer is no.
Local business on effects of non-essential business shutdowns
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Paw In Hand, a mobile pet grooming service, opened just over a year ago in the Lake Area.
Owner Britt Boyett says they had plans of expanding before the state ordered all non-essential businesses shut down. The business's cushion isn't as great as she'd like it to be, but she's focusing on making sure her employee is taken care of.
"You don't really expect these things to happen. Right now we're just playing it by ear," Boyett said. "The biggest thing that I'm worried about it affecting is my ability to pay my employee. She is my top priority."
Trump bucks business on Defense Production Act | TheHill
Trump's move, which came after the business community lobbied against the use of the emergency powers, forces GM to prioritize ventilators after a deal with the White House faltered.
Trump also said the country "will be making over 100,000 pretty quickly." States have warned of a dangerous shortage of the breathing machines.
Trump also tapped White House aide Peter Navarro to coordinate policies enacted under the Korean War-era law that gives the president broad authority to increase the manufacturing output of critical items in times of national emergency, including public health crises.
Many things are taking place:
How A Federal Stimulus Could Help LA's Small Businesses During The Pandemic: LAist
If you own or work for one of California's nearly four million small businesses , you're understandably freaked out right now. B ut help is on the way in the form of a federal $2 trillion stimulus package — $349 billion of which is for small businesses.
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Small businesses have on average 27 days of cash buffer, and restaurants have even less — 17 days, according to Karen G. Mills, the former head of the federal Small Business Administration under President Obama and a current senior fellow at Harvard Business School.
A Restaurant Owner Reflects On How The Pandemic Has Impacted His Business : NPR
Gary Ward owns two restaurants in the tight-knit community of Gloucester, Va. He shares how the outbreak has affected his business and his staff.
Josh Fitzhugh: Resuming business - when and how? - VTDigger
Editor’s note: This commentary is by Josh Fitzhugh, of Berlin, who retired in 2013 as the president of Union Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
President Donald Trump has been widely criticized for expressing a desire that Americans return to work by Easter. He later modified his remarks to say reopening of businesses would depend on local factors such as population density and infection rates for the COVID-19 virus.
I am a “never Trumper” but in this case applaud the president for raising two critical issues: one, how we decide when to return to work, and two, the importance of work.
Chinese Restaurants Close As Social Distancing Cuts Into Business : NPR
NPR's Scott Simon speaks to Truman Lam, whose family owns New York City's largest Chinese restaurant about why they decided to close their doors in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Happening on Twitter
Americans won't forget this: As millions lost their jobs, Pelosi withheld critical relief to push her unrelated lib… https://t.co/ualX0w6dVj SteveScalise (from Jefferson, LA) Fri Mar 27 21:34:35 +0000 2020
Here, I'll make this simple enough so that even a Governor, Mayor or Congressman can understand it. TWO TRILLION DO… https://t.co/2voFNaBfg0 RealEricCarmen (from USA) Fri Mar 27 16:24:10 +0000 2020
...& costly. Workers & small businesses need money now in order to survive. Virus wasn't their fault. It is "HELL"… https://t.co/B4qko8ZznC realDonaldTrump (from Washington, DC) Fri Mar 27 13:44:50 +0000 2020
Today President @realDonaldTrump signed the #CARESAct,the single largest economic relief package in 🇺🇸history. POTU… https://t.co/pE9WiOoXta IvankaTrump (from Washington, DC) Fri Mar 27 21:55:03 +0000 2020
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