Local small businesses have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and in many communities across the nation, businesses were forced to close their doors temporarily. As a result, they are facing uncertainty for the foreseeable future. Some businesses are downsizing by laying off staff, as they can no longer afford to pay their employees. Other businesses have closed their stores yet continue to operate online with product or food deliveries to local customers. The impact of the pandemic on local small businesses is far reaching when you consider how it affects your local nail salons, barbershops, restaurants, contractors and medical professionals.
The local small businesses in your area are likely owned and run by people from your area, and they want to continue to help the community grow. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are more than twenty-seven million small businesses in the country, and they generate about 50% of our gross domestic product.
We must find ways to continue our patronage of these vital local small businesses that may make our everyday lives a little easier. Here are eight ways you can help:
- Order meals from local restaurants that allow for pick up or delivery
- Shop for organic foods, which typically are acquired from local farms
- Reschedule appointments instead of cancelling them to let local businesses know they still have regular customers they can count on once the crisis is over
- Order products or a gift card (for later use) from small local businesses online
- Schedule projects or work at a future time when the business is likely to re-open
- Write an online review of your favorite local business that may be helpful to drive business when it re-opens
- Support businesses on social by liking, commenting and/or sharing positive information
When we support our local small businesses, we are actually supporting ourselves and the local economy. Without this support, we could see closures of these businesses, which will impact the quality of our local community. These small businesses are essential to our local community because they create jobs, provide opportunities for many people, and ignite innovation.