HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 12/14/2021 - Memorandum From Rachel Rogers Re: Small Business Survey: Follow -Up With Grant Recipients
Economic Health Office
222 LaPorte Avenue
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6505
970.224.6107 - fax
fcgov.com
MEMORANDUM
DATE: December 6, 2021
TO: Mayor and City Council
THRU: Kelly DiMartino, Interim City Manager
Kyle Stannert, Deputy City Manager
Jacqueline Kozak-Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer
Josh Birks, Economic Health and Redevelopment Director
FROM: Rachel Rogers, Sr. Specialist, Economic Sustainability
RE: SMALL BUSINESS SURVEY: FOLLOW-UP WITH GRANT
RECIPIENTS
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this memo is to provide City Council an update on the state of small businesses 18-
months into the COVID pandemic based on recent survey results. The Economic Health Office (EHO)
sent a follow-up survey to the 297 businesses that received grant funding through our office during the
pandemic to see how these businesses are doing today. 81 businesses responded for a response rate of
27%.
BACKGROUND:
The Economic Health Office administered two small business grant programs in the past 18-months to
help offset the significant, temporary loss of revenue during this pandemic and to assist businesses in
sustaining through the impacts of public health orders: (1) the Small Business Assistance Program
(SBAP), funded by Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars, and (2) the
Larimer County Small Business Relief Program, funded by the State through the County.
297 distinct businesses received one or both of the grants.
# Businesses Total Grant $
Average $/
Business
SBAP 205 $1,899,177 $9,264
SBR 164 $842,238 $5,136
Total (distinct
businesses)
297 $2,741,415 $9,230
2
KEY FINDINGS:
Survey results showed that:
Small businesses are still not back to pre-pandemic revenue generation. This is even more
pronounced for the Restaurant/Dining industry and the Personal Services industry.
Businesses are realizing increased operating costs coupled with challenges getting supplies.
Many businesses are still operating at reduced capacity (hours and staffing).
Of great concern is the potential that the city may lose some great businesses due to the continuing
challenges from COVID. We know of fewer than five grant-funded small businesses that have
closed in the last year, although 23% of survey respondents anticipate that closure may be an
unfortunate option.
Businesses responded that clearer and more timely information on COVID regulations, local and
state, could have been better.
Small businesses stated that continued sales tax and property tax forgiveness and/or reductions
would have been helpful, given that the pandemic has lasted for many months.
Full summary is in the attachment.
NEXT STEPS:
The Economic Health staff will continue to work with our city and regional partners to address some of
the small business concerns, including:
Potential continuation of the outdoor dining program.
Workforce development and employment opportunities.
has and will continue to be a priority during the Shop Small Season.
The City received an award for this program in 2021 from the International Economic
Development Council.
Additionally, supporting small businesse
and part of the recovery plan. Additional resources and programs are being implemented with
ARPA funding.
Attachment 1: Current Status Survey Results Summary
SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
CURRENT STATUS SURVEY RESULTS
November 30, 2021
CONTACT
Josh Birks, Economic Health & Redevelopment Director, jbirks@fcgov.com
Rachel Rogers, Senior Specialist, Economic Sustainability, rrogers@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/business Page | 1
E SUMMARY
The City of Fort Collins Small Business Assistance Program (SBAP), funded by
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars and
administered by the Economic Health Office, provided monetary relief to
small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provided
funding to individual businesses to help offset the significant, temporary loss
of revenue during this pandemic and to assist businesses in sustaining
through impacts to their business from public health orders.
The City also participated in the Larimer County Small Business Relief
Program, which was very similar to the SBAP program, but where the
eligibility criteria were set by the State. Eligible industries included
restaurants, bars, wineries, breweries, distilleries. Caterers, movie theaters
and fitness/recreational sports centers.
The total number of distinct businesses that received one or both of the
grants is 297.
Business
SBAP 205 $1,899,177 $9,264
SBR 164 $842,238 $5,136
businesses)
297 $2,741,415 $9,230
fcgov.com/business Page | 2
FALL URVEY OF GRANT RECIPIENTS
In October 2021, the Economic Health Office sent out a follow-up survey to the businesses
that received SBAP and/or SBR funding to try to get a sense of the current conditions and
concerns of those businesses.
INDUSTRY CATEGORY
We received a total of 81
responses to the survey
(27% response rate).
BUSINESS REVENUE LOSS
Businesses were asked “How is your current business revenue compared to pre-
pandemic revenue (approximately)?” – 76% of businesses stated revenues are still down
compared to pre-pandemic levels.
fcgov.com/business Page | 3
Restaurant/Food Truck/Bar Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
CURRENT IMPACTS TO BUSINESSES COMPARED TO PRE-OPERATIONS
fcgov.com/business Page | 4
CURRENT TATUS OFB
A significant percentage of
businesses are still not operating
at pre-COVID hours or staffing.
One business closed for reasons
not related to COVID.
ANTICIPATED HANGES TOB
Businesses are still very
concerned about the ability
to continue after COVID.
EMPLOYEE OUNT OMPARED
TO RE-COVID
Ove 50% of businesses are not at pre-
pandemic staffing levels.
fcgov.com/business Page | 5
CHALLENGES RECRUITING OR RETAINING EMPLOYEES
Challenges with staffing continue. In response to the challenges in
Reasons are a complex, overlapping web recruiting and retaining employees,
of factors including concerns of health 47% of survey respondents have taken
safety at work, ongoing childcare concerns action to address the issue.
and a readjustment their preferences.
Shortage of employees’ impact on business (for respondents for whom it is an issue).
fcgov.com/business Page | 6
WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HELPFUL OVER THE LAST ONTHS?
Below are the most common responses from businesses.
Clearer and more timely information on local vs. county vs. state regulations.
More direction on how to implement new mandates and more lead time to do so.
Continued sales tax and property tax forgiveness and/or reductions.
Expanded use of outdoor space for a variety of entertainment.
Funding for additional outdoor dining equipment, like heaters.
More money.
Work with landlords regarding rent for when businesses were closed.
“The biggest help was the grant I received from the city to keep my business afloat
financially.”
WHAT RESOURCES OR TOOLS DO YOU NEED TODAY?
Below are the most common responses from businesses.
Additional funds to help until costs of supplies and workforce return to normal.
Assistance negotiating a lower rent to allow us to stay in current facility.
At home COVID-19 tests for the artists currently performing and rehearsing.
Community job board would be helpful to find people in the area looking to fill jobs.
Continued support of the temporary patio expansions throughout the next year.
Funds to develop outdoor area
Employees and training.
Marketing and education of the public to shop early and to shop local.
No more mandates/fewer restrictions.
“We made a big pivot and can’t really return to pre-pandemic ways so just continued
support for these new ways is greatly appreciated.”
WHAT WOULD MAKE FORT COLLINS MORE RESILIENT/STRONGER?
Below are the most common responses from businesses.
A sales tax holiday in times of crises.
An investment in non-profit arts organizations.
Encourage development and businesses outside of downtown.
Greater community and connection across intersectionality of minority businesses,
especially single-employee businesses.
Have plans and preparations in place in the event that what happened to our
communities last year happens again/rainy day fund.
More support in dealing with customers in challenging times.
More B2B collaborations.
More effective social safety net.
RESULTADOS DE LA ENCUESTA SOBRE EL
ESTADO ACTUAL DEL PROGRAMA DE
ASISTENCIA A PEQUEÑOS NEGOCIOS
30 de noviembre de 2021
CONTACTO
Josh Birks, Director de Bienestar Económico y Renovación, jbirks@fcgov.com
Rachel Rogers, Especialista Senior, Economía Sostenible, rrogers@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/business Página | 1
INFORME EJUCUTIVO
El programa de asistencia a pequeños negocios de la ciudad de Fort Collins
(Small Business Assistance Program o SBAP por sus siglas en inglés),
financiado por el programa de ayuda, asistencia y seguridad económica en
respuesta al coronavirus (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security
o CARES por sus siglas en inglés) y administrado por la Oficina de Bienestar
Económico proporcionó asistencia económica a pequeños negocios que se
vieron afectados por la pandemia por COVID-19. El programa proporcionó
financiación a diferentes negocios para compensar la pérdida temporal de
ganancias durante la pandemia y para ayudar a estos negocios a mantenerse a
flote cuando se vieron afectados por diferentes órdenes de salud pública.
La ciudad también participó en el programa de asistencia a pequeños
negocios del condado de Larimer (Larimer County Small Business Relief
Program o SBR por sus siglas en inglés), un programa muy similar al
programa SBAP, pero en el cual la elegibilidad para el mismo la establecía el
estado. Industrias que se beneficiaron de dicho programa incluían
restaurantes, bares, bodegas, cervecerías, servicios de catering, cines y
centros recreativos/deportes.
El número total de negocios que recibieron una o ambas subvenciones es de
297.
Business
SBAP 205 $1,899,177 $9,264
SBR 164 $842,238 $5,136
businesses)
297 $2,741,415 $9,230
fcgov.com/business Página | 2
OTOÑO 2021 – E
En octubre de 2021 la Oficina de Bienestar Económico envió una encuesta de seguimiento a
los negocios que habían recibido financiación del programa SBAP y/o SBR para intentar
comprender la situación en que se encontraban actualmente.
T
Recibimos un total de 81
respuestas a la encuesta
(índice de participación
del 27%).
PÉRDIDA
Una de las preguntas que se les hizo a estas negocios fue “¿Cómo son sus ingresos en
comparación con antes de la pandemia (aproximadamente)?” – el 76% de los negocios
contestaron que sus ingresos todavía son más bajos que antes de la pandemia.
fcgov.com/business Página | 3
Restaurantes/Camiones de comida/Bares Artes, Entretenimiento y Recreación
COMPARATIVA
fcgov.com/business Página | 4
E
Un porcentaje significativo de los
negocios todavía no está operando
con el horario o el personal que tenían
antes de la pandemia. Un negocio
cerró por motivos no relacionados con
el COVID.
CA
A algunos negocios todavía les
preocupa el no poder continuar su
actividad después de la pandemia.
C - CA
Más del 50% de los negocios todavía no
tiene el mismo número de empleados
que antes de la pandemia.
fcgov.com/business Página | 5
PROBLEMAS
Las razones detrás de estos problemas son
complicadas. Una mezcla de factores incluyen
riesgos para la salud en el puesto de trabajo,
problemas con el cuidado de niños y un
reajuste de las preferencias.
En respuesta, el 47% de los encuestados
han tomado medidas para atajar estos
problemas.
Impactos que tiene la escasez de empleados sobre los negocios (para aquellos
encuestados que expresaron que es un problema).
fcgov.com/business Página | 6
¿Q ?
A continuación están las respuestas más comunes.
Información más clara y a tiempo sobre la diferencia entre regulaciones locales,
del condado, y estatales.
Más ayuda sobre cómo implementar los nuevos mandatos y más tiempo para
hacerlo.
Continuidad en las reducciones o exenciones en pagos de impuestos de venta y
propiedad.
Uso extendido de espacios de exterior para diferentes entretenimientos.
Financiación para materiales de exterior como calefactores.
Más dinero.
Trabajar con los arrendadores acerca de la renta cuando los negocios estaban
cerrados.
“La mayor ayuda que recibí fue la subvención que me dio la ciudad para mantener
mi negocio a flote”.
¿Q ?
A continuación están las respuestas más comunes.
Financiación adicional para ayudar a cubrir los costos extra de suministros y mano
de obra hasta que regresen a costos normales.
Asistencia con la negociación de rentas reducidas para poder continuar el negocio
en el mismo local.
Pruebas de COVID-19 en casa para los artistas que están actualmente tocando y
ensayando en el local.
Tablón de anuncios de trabajo en el área.
Apoyo continuado para las extensiones temporales de patio durante todo el
próximo año.
Financiación para crear espacios de exterior.
Empleados y entrenamiento.
Marketing y educación para que el público compre pronto y local.
No más mandatos/menos restricciones.
“Hemos dado un giro radical y no podemos volver a la manera que lo hacíamos
antes de la pandemia así que agradeceríamos el apoyo para poder continuar de esta
forma.”
¿Q ?
A continuación están las respuestas más comunes.
No pagar impuestos de venta durante tiempos de crisis.
Invertir en organizaciones artísticas no lucrativas.
Incentivar el desarrollo de negocios fuera del centro de la ciudad.
fcgov.com/business Página | 7
Mejores conexiones y sentimiento de comunidad en interseccionalidad de negocios
minoritarios, especialmente negocios de un solo empleados.
Tener planes y estar preparados en caso de que lo que pasó en año pasado vuelva a
ocurrir/tener un fondo para “días lluviosos”.
Más apoyo para lidiar con clientes en tiempos difíciles.
Más colaboraciones B2B.
Red de beneficios sociales más efectiva.