Item Coversheet



Staff REPORT
Action ITEM

Item # 10.b.

SUBJECT: 

EDAC Survey To Help Aid Purcellville Businesses (David Mekarski)

DATE OF MEETING:  

June 9, 2020

Staff CONTACT(S):David A. Mekarski, AICP, Town Manager


SUMMARY and RECOMMENDATIONS:

Upon Council's approval of the proposed questions below, staff will create the survey and forward the survey link to Town Council and to members of the Economic Development Advisory Committee.

 

Staff offers the following recommendations:

 

 

  • It is my recommendation for question 3 to change "weekly" to "monthly".

 

  • Prior to asking question 6, it it is important for the respondent to understand the availability of funds for business relief/stimulus following reimbursement of town expenses and some of the primary restrictions. With that said, it is my recommendation that this following statement be placed prior to the question -

 

"It is estimated that the Town will have incurred through December 31, $358,000 of unbudgeted expenses associated with the COVID-19 emergency. Following federal reimbursement of these local expenses, it is estimated that the Town will have $434,000 to assist local businesses with COVID-19 relief/stimulus grants.Funds cannot be utilized to subsidize or offset taxes or utility fees." (change number from $891,000 to $434,000 in the question."

 

  • Add question 10 to read "Have you received any federal funds, in loans or grants, associated with COVID-19 impacts to your business?


BACKGROUND:

The purpose of the survey is for the Town to work with our local businesses to determine their needs during the crisis.

 

The questions that were provided for consideration to be included in the survey are as follows:

 

  1. Why did you decide to locate your business in Purcellville? 
  2. How long has your business been in Purcellville?
  3. What is your change in weekly revenue compared to a year ago?
  4. How many people did your business employ prior to the COVID-19 crisis?
  5. How many people does your business currently employ in Purcellville?
  6. What three specific initiatives should the Town pursue with the $891,000 CARES Act Funding Relief Program to support Purcellville's small businesses?
  7. Was the Purcellville Voucher Program helpful to your business?
  8. Was the Meals Tax Holiday helpful to your business?
  9. Do you believe Purcellville is ready for Phase 2 reopening?

 

Each question will allow the opportunity for the business to add comments.

 



MOTION(S):
I move that the Town Council approve the questions as submitted or amended, and request that staff create the survey.