Impact of COVID-19 Business Health Survey - Survey Results | July 8, 2020 - Tamworth ...
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Impact of COVID-19 Business Health Survey Survey Results | July 8, 2020
Survey Profile
• TEDC conducted a two-and-a-half-week survey of the town’s
business community (June 19th through July 6th 2020)
• Respondents solicited through:
1. emails to companies in the Tamworth business listing (plus
reminder messages to non-respondents)
Survey Objectives:
2. Posting on the TEDC & TVC Websites
• Understand the impact COVID-19 3. Posting on the Tamworth Exchange
has had on the health of Tamworth’s 4. Personal sharing of the survey web link by both commission
business community members and interested respondents
• Determine what topics/programs the
Town and/or the TEDC might pursue
to support local businesses
Web link
Business
listing
Note: For the purposes of this study, a “business” is defined as including: ~37%
Corporations, LLC’s, the self-employed, Non-profits, Charities, 501(c)(3)’s etc. Response rate
Q1
Has COVID-19 impacted your business?
Sixty-five percent of business respondents report being
negatively impacted while ~12% have been helped
Other Observations:
• Three times as many businesses have been
substantially negatively impacted as those
who have been helped
• Less than a quarter of businesses have
experienced no impact either wayQ2
How long do you estimate it will take you to recover and get back to “Normal”?
Nearly Sixty percent of businesses expect it will take them more
than 6 months to recover – 45% of these expect a 2yr recovery
Other Observations:
• 7 – 8% believe they will not be able to recover
• About 40% of business are either fine, right
now, or expect to be fully recovered by the
end of the year (< 6 month recovery)Q3
Have you thought about closing your business because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
The vast majority of town businesses (>70%) have no plans to close
operations; However, more than a quarter have thought about closing
Other Observations:
• The 20% of businesses which have given
serious thought to closing is 2-3 times the
number of those (7 – 8%) who believe they
will not be able to recover …
• … thus, inferring several businesses that are
anticipating a longer road to recovery are
contemplating closing
• What is the impact to the Town if a substantial
number of businesses (~10-20%) actually do
close?Q4
Have you made a successful application for any Federal and/or State grant money due to COVID-19?
Approximately half (43%) of all businesses in town have filed
applications for Federal and/or State assistance
Other Observations:
• The 57% of companies that have not filed for
any assistance is greater than those (35% of
companies) who report not being impacted or
who have seen an increase in business …
• … thus, inferring a number of businesses who
have been negatively impacted (perhaps as
many as 22% or so) have not attempted to
obtain supportQ5
What is the single biggest issue facing your business because of COVID-19?
Respondent’s single biggest, unprompted, issue fell into six
broad areas of concern – many of these issues are inter-related
1 Customers 4 Business Practices Impact
• There is less new business available • Using Precautions
• Homeowners not wanting people around/in their homes right now • Indoor dining
• Customer Confidence in buying/booking • Time drain of staying informed about Covid rules, and learning Zoom, and cleaning before + after client meetings.
• Customer cancelations • Having to move the farmers' market location
• Lack of listings • Inability to safely provide public programming
• No Clients • The building where I saw my clients is closed to the public. Some clients don't like telehealth and have not been seen
• Maybe marketing via internet? since the building closed. Some clients not a good fit for telehealth
• I cannot see my customers/patients • Changing over my preschool environment. I need to move and store many games, supplies, etc., and give the children
• Fewer client meetings individual baskets with supplies, as well as sanitize constantly. Overwhelming!
• Some people are not ready yet for retail shopping due to the emphasis on negative info in the news • I have my passengers wear masks and I sanitize vehicle after each trip
• We are likely to have a 75% or more decrease in income because we’re dependent on customers coming to our gallery
• We have reopened and are open now, but there are only a few customers. Safety, of course, is big issue 5 Financial
• Cost of setting up outside seating.
• Allowed capacity
2 Uncertainty • Grant and stimulus programs not designed for self-employed
• Lack of clear guidance or solution • Lack of cash flow
• Uncertainty • loss of revenue
• Lost revenue and sales momentum • We are a volunteer organization, but we also raise funds to support our charities. Our main fundraiser was cancelled so
• Worry. Unclear future. Lack of leadership, mixed messages about masks we have no income this year
• Managing the unknown as protocols are in a state of flux • We are a 501(c)(3) organization, and have cancelled the fundraising activities that are the income that we rely on to
• Media confusion, consumer confidence and comfort level, political shaming continue our activities
• We can’t get dates to process animals • As a non-profit member-supported organization, with members in the municipal public sector, we expect some will be
• Uncertainty in the Stock Market which the affects building and real estate markets upon which our business is closely tied unable to keep up their memberships because of strained municipal budgets
• I believe the biggest issue is for people to feel safe again so that they can venture out and do the activities they used to do
• Some people are nervous to come out. I haven’t seen many of my regulars yet and I’ve been open for 7 weeks now. 6 Health
• We don't know if there will be a second wave requiring us to close our doors • Safety making sure that everyone stays healthy and safe
• I am an in-their-home childcare provider. My boss and I have not worked since March 12th. My concern is that I won’t be able to • No coordinated plan for looking after everyone’s health. Many people forced out of work without economic support
return to this job • I work with clients in their homes and many clients do not practice either social distancing or wear masks (though I do)
• My concern is that I might carry Covid-19 from one client to the next
3 Restrictions
• Live music / Airbnb Other
• Cannot safely open store or cafe • Scarcity of supplies
• Being a campground, we are limited to the 50% occupancy and the restrictions on out-of-state guests. • Lack of adequate broadband
• Disruption in supply chain and increased regulations.
• Brick and mortar stores are being compromised. I feel for them. The government has no right to close hard-working Americans
• Requirements for out of state guests to quarantine or sign affidavit of quarantine. Losing business over this and only allowing 50 %
of tent sites. Hurting revenue
• We are a theatre. The audience can't be seated socially distant, and the actors can't remain socially distant while rehearsing or Note: Comments grouped by likely intent; offensive, politically charged
performing. The crew can't build and paint scenery while socially distancing. We can't do anything! and long comments were modified to retain the respondent’s point
• I do walk in services which are not currently allowed, I’ve changed to appointment only. It has impacted my business by about 25%Q6
What are your top three business concerns that you have because of COVID-19?
The top three business concerns center around financial impacts
and business practice modifications
% of time concern was ranked as one of respondent’s top three
Other Observations:
• About 1/3 of respondents listed: personal,
family and employee concerns as one of their
top three issues
• The combination of significant financial and
human stress issues is plaguing many of
Tamworth’s business operatorsQ7
Are there any specific topics that you would like to learn about that could help make operating your business in Tamworth easier regardless of which town
department would host or provide the information?
Approx. 25% of Respondents had unprompted suggestions for
topics that they believed would help support local businesses
Coordination / Best Practices Sharing Financial
• Local business networking • How to stay out of debt and still be able to pay the bills
• Forum on state programs available for the self-employed. I know others have had • Getting a bank loan with a reasonable percentage rate and extended terms
serious issues interpreting the PPP and EIDL programs, unemployment etc. Other • Fund raising is always a challenge and we partner with other organizations
financial services available. Perhaps a networking night for local businesses to
brainstorm how we can support each other and grow during this difficult time. They Town Operations
don't make it easy!!! • Better communication from the Select Board
• Coordinating marketing efforts of Tamworth/Chocorua businesses. Coordinating • Lowering town taxes
support between businesses in the Tamworth/Chocorua area (having each other's • How to get the school budget under control to reflect a lower tax rate
marketing materials and referring customers to other local businesses, for example). • No live music in town. No coffee nearer than route 16. Playgrounds and
• Being sure to include Chocorua businesses. Having a gathering where we can meet tennis courts not open
owners of other Tamworth/Chocorua businesses
Other
Employment Posting • Fast, reliable internet
• Ability to post open jobs and match possible hires • Policing practices for businesses in town
• Sponsoring learning programs with the Brett School
Marketing
• Connecting with consumers online and promoting my business online. Google Business. Note: Comments grouped by likely intent; offensive, politically charged
• eCommerce instruction and long comments were modified to retain the respondent’s pointQ8
In the next six months, are there any specific forums that the TEDC should host that could help you or your business?
Favorite ideas for topics the TEDC should consider in the near-
term centered around Jobs and employment
% of time topic was ranked as one of respondent’s favorite
Other Comments specified by respondents:
• What volunteer opportunities are available?
• How to get on with life without living in fear. How to
work/play safe.
• Increasing local business
• How to be resourceful
• Local talent looking for work or partnership
opportunity. So people know what is available and
can source and shop locally for talent. Someone
might moonlight occasionally, and if their talent is
known, or recommended, it could be more of a
profession than just a moonlighting experience.
Looking for ways to support the rising tide.Q9
Longer-term, what topics should the TEDC consider housting forums on that could help your business?
Similar to Question 7, Respondents had a number of suggestions for
topics; however, local internet service was mentioned more often
Coordination Town Operations
• Town/Community promos to bring customers to our area • How to overcome the negative feelings of customers and/or real estate
• Coordinating marketing efforts of Tamworth/Chocorua businesses agents have about Tamworth's taxes. Tamworth is a wonderful town, and
• Coordinating support between businesses in the Tamworth/Chocorua area many would love to live here but back off because of the taxes.
(having each other's marketing materials, for example). Being sure to • Alternative business sites
include Chocorua businesses • Government has no clue how a business should run. They should keep
• Connect nonprofits away
• Cross promotion of Tamworth businesses
Financial
Marketing / Business Strategy / Revenue Generation • Grant sources
• Getting tourists to town and into the theatre • Quick Books Navigation
• Using social media to both reach clients and share my work.
• How to diversify your business in a changing Economic climate. How to Other
recognize a trend and be ahead of it • Supporting local music in the village
• Recreating the tourist economy post-COVID • Accurate information about the pandemic
• TEDC could investigate how rules and regulations in our town affect
Internet people's ability to move and stay here due to lack of access to jobs,
• We need super-fast internet housing, land, and higher education.
• High speed Internet access • Tort reform
• High speed internet
• How we can take advantage of the new Broadband incentive in the state Note: Comments grouped by likely intent; offensive, politically charged
and get better internet for businesses and young people and long comments were modified to retain the respondent’s pointQ 10
Do you have any other comments?
Aside from several comments thanking the TEDC for reaching out and
conducting the survey, there were only five general comments
Once we reopen in 2021, we would be
grateful for any assistance that the
TEDC can provide
• Once in marketing,
we reopen and
in 2021, we would be grateful for any assistance that the TEDC can provide in
advertising
marketing, and advertising
Do the• town's officials really support
Do the town's officials really support and care about the town's small businesses?
and care about the town's small
businesses?
• It is my belief that the more people disconnect themselves from the media, the more vibrant our
economic future will become
It is my belief that the more people
disconnect themselves from the
• I had to close my business due to the pandemic. I will reopen in September
media, the more vibrant our economic
future will become
• Alcohol is a disaster for employers, employees, and businesses in general. Would be good if kids
learned that in high school before graduating
I had to close my business due to the
pandemic. I will reopen in September
Alcohol is a disaster for employers,
employees, and businesses in general.You can also read
