Resilient Columbia: Economic Recovery Task Force May 15, 2020
Agenda 5/15/2020 1. Welcome 2. COVID-19 Situational Report We Are Columbia. Together we will 3. Review Business Re-open Survey Results build a first class city. 4. Subcommittee Reports 5. Task Force Open Discussion 6. Next Steps 2
COVID-19 Situational Report Harry Tinsley, City of Columbia Emergency Management
Business Survey Results Ryan Coleman, City of Columbia Economic Development Director
Task Force Small Groups 5/15/2020 1. Small Businesses 2. Public Policy 3. Communications We Are Columbia. Together we will 4. Restoring Travel, Tourism, & Business Recruitment build a first class city. 5. Public Health & Safety 6. Sports and Events 7. Technology Transition 5
Small Business Economic Recovery Task Force Small Group
Small Business Stabilization Fund Update (May 1, 2020) An additional $400,000 was added to the program by City Council on 4/21; bringing the total allocation to $1.4M To date, we have awarded 283 small businesses, totaling $1,256,050 ($143,950 remaining) Possible Additional CDBG Economic Stabilization Funds Letters have been sent to state and congressional delegation requesting additional funds to continue our efforts in assisting our small business community from a local level. Additional information: https://www.columbiasc.net/obo 7
Richland County - Monday, April 27 th COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Grants for Small Businesses & Nonprofits $500,000 for small businesses affected by the economic downturn $500,000 for nonprofits addressing community needs, such as food insecurity for low- to moderate-income households, rent and utility assistance 8
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Payroll Protection and Health Care Enhancement Act (PPP2) In SC for PPP1: #of Businesses: 22,933 Amount: $3,807,578,397 PP2 Payroll Protection Program (PPP): $310B Emergency Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL): $60B Set Aside for Small, Medium, and Community Lenders: $60B 9
Public Policy Economic Recovery Task Force Small Group
Public Policy Sub Committee Recommendations: 5/18/2020 City of Columbia Actions • Continue with consideration of expansion the allowance of encroachments for restaurants, retail and special events to We Are Columbia. Together we will use city streets and parking spaces for expanded footprint. Allows for more social distancing while meeting the capacity build a first class city. limitations. • Communicate and continue the City’s assistance for small business technical assistance in accessing federal and state programs for financial assistance. • Provide signage for businesses and the public around social distancing, hand washing, wearing masks and other recommendation 11
Public Policy Sub Committee Recommendations 5/18/2020 Federal and State Funding • Utilize the various funding sources to assist businesses with We Are Columbia. Together we will • purchasing personal protective equipment in order to protect workers and customers build a first class city. • insurance assistance • unemployment insurance (possibly increased coverages) 12
Public Policy Sub Committee Recommendations 5/18/2020 Accelerate SC • Recommend City Council to pass a resolution to encourage Accelerate SC to adopt measure to open businesses while protect workers and our communities by • Requiring customers wear masks to enter any business open to the public We Are Columbia. Together we will • Providing all workers with masks, gloves, and other PPE • Mandating at least 6 feet of distance between all workers and customers; where build a first class city. that's not possible, employer must erect plastic barriers between workers and between workers and customers • Isolating workers who have symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 and communicate with all employees and the appropriate agencies when cases have been identified • Providing access to handwashing stations to all workers • Communicating to all workers their right to stay at home if they or a family member is ill with the guarantee that they will have a job to return to • Ensuring no workers experience repercussions or retaliation (from their workplace or immigration enforcement) if they report violations 13
Communications Economic Recovery Task Force Small Group
Resilient Columbia Branding
Business FAQ’s • A comprehensive list of Business FAQs will be released on Friday, May 15, 2020. • The FAQs will be shared with media outlets, the business community, local stakeholders and the general public as needed via multiple City of Columbia communications platforms (website, social media platforms, publications, CityTV, City YouTube channel, etc.) • The FAQs will be updated, as needed, based on input and responses from business owners regarding their questions or requests for information. • Information and input for the FAQ document was provided by various City officials and staff in City departments and based on feedback received from the business community. Those areas/departments include: • Columbia City Council • Columbia Police Department • Columbia Richland Fire Department • Economic Development Office • Office of Business Opportunities • Planning and Development Services Department • Public Relations, Media and Marketing Department
Resilient Columbia Messaging / Local Influencers • The City's Public Relations, Media and Marketing Department will work with local influencers to develop a series of videos and public service announcements focused on the Resilient Columbia messaging. • City Officials • Business Leaders • Public Safety Command Staff
Launch of Resilient Columbia Microsite • Online hub for economic recovery information, business resources and COVID-19 safety guidelines. www.resilient.columbiasc.gov
Partnerships with Local Media, Mayor's Office, Hospitality Districts and the City of Columbia Team • The Public Relations, Media and Marketing Department will work aggressively to identify opportunities to partner with local media outlets to help share and publicize Resilient Columbia information that will be helpful to both our citizens and business owners. • Capitalize on the widespread reach of the Mayor's messaging and following on various platforms. • Coordination with the City's departments that focus on business opportunities and development, as well as, public safety. • Build a communications bridge with representatives from our local hospitality districts to promote Resilient Columbia.
Restoring Travel, Tourism, & Business Recruitment Economic Recovery Task Force Small Group
Public Health & Safety Economic Recovery Task Force Small Group
Sports & Events Economic Recovery Task Force Small Group
Event Scheduling Update 5/18/2020 • Event scheduling through June is canceled so the timeline to focus on reinvigorating external traffic to the City will begin around July and continue outward from there • Bill Ellen notes that around 60% of the previously scheduled We Are Columbia. Together we will events have been rescheduled for later, as opposed to being build a first class city. cancelled • Due to current recommended spacing guidelines, a 20,000 square foot room now only provides enough capacity for 300 people 24
Hotel and Office Update 5/18/2020 • Local hotel occupancy is currently doing well at around 35%, which is leading the state and national averages • We will be expanding the size of this task force and will be We Are Columbia. Together we will including more members from the hotel sector in order to speed up local recovery efforts build a first class city. • Reports from local commercial brokers indicate that the local office market is doing okay for now, and that area continues to be stabilized by government sector tenants • Many commercial tenants were able to shift to remote work scenarios relatively easily, and most expect to remain in that status until late June or early July • Rent deferrals have allowed many office users to shift their 25 costs out to accommodate for the COVID impact
Strategic Adjustments 5/18/2020 • Moving forward, there should be an across the board adjustment in marketing strategies promoting a “clean and safe” city and an precautious but open environment so that tourists and businesses feel safe and welcome We Are Columbia. Together we will • We need to create uniform branding to build “consumer build a first class city. confidence” • Experience Columbia is already modifying their messaging to gear up for reopening (ex. For meeting planners –”Real Meetings, Real Soon, Real Columbia SC”) and the business associations are discussing a “We’re Ready When You Are” Campaign • There’s tremendous opportunity to leverage the City’s responsiveness as a recruitment tool for business by a 26 progressive and business friendly local economy
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