Effect of coronavirus being gauged in Wyandotte County

Opinion column

by Murrel Bland

Last week has been a very different one; and the coming week promises to be the same. The threat of the coronavirus has affected everyone in the world. I am concerned about the health of everyone. I am also concerned about the effect the disease may have on our Business West members, many of whom are small business owners.

Instead of my normal report which would tell of the various meetings I would attend, I am summarizing various helpful resources. But first I would like to provide some words of encouragement. I believe it is something that is needed.

Leadership is most important during troubled times. I see examples of great leadership in many ways at various levels. I see it at City Hall. Mayor David Alvey is doing an excellent job; this has to be his most serious challenge. U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, a Republican, had high praise for Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, during a town hall telephone conference Friday, March 27. He said she was doing a good job managing circumstances in the state of Kansas.

John W. Gardner, the founder of Common Cause, was the secretary of Health, Education and Welfare during the 1960s when Lyndon Johnson was president. I am most impressed with the definition of leadership that is attributed to Gardner. He said, when it is all stripped down, leadership can be defined by three words — keeping hope alive.

For the past several years, I have convened a voluntary organization called the Last Tuesday Committee. The organization was founded several years ago by Cindy Cash who was president of the Chamber of Commerce. The executives of various neighborhood business organizations and the Wyandotte Economic Development Council (WYEDC) are invited. It remains today as an information-sharing organization. The group also helps sponsor the candidates’ forum held at election time at the community college.

The follow is a summary of what the chamber and WYEDC are doing to meet the challenge of the coronavirus threat.

Joab Ortiz, the chairman of the board of the chamber, said the chamber is working with local,
state and federal officials to provide support during these challenging times. He told of efforts in four areas:

• Promotion of your business or organization. The chamber will offer this promotion through social media, the chamber’s website and newsletters. Interested persons should contact Katelyn Kaminski at 913-371-3070 or email [email protected].

• Buying local. The chamber offers buying blitzes at local businesses. Contact Katelyn Kaminski at 913-371-3070 or email [email protected].

• Connection with federal resources. The office of U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids provides the chamber with information about grants and loans for small businesses. Contact Daniel Silva, the chamber president, at 913-371-3070 or email [email protected] .

• COVID-19 Task Force. The chamber is looking for businesses interested in developing strategies to keep businesses running. To volunteer, contact Daniel Silva at 913-371-3070.

The chamber is offering these services to the entire business community, not just its members.

Greg Kindle, the president of the Wyandotte Economic Development Council, is surveying Wyandotte County businesses to determine the effect of the coronavirus. WYEDC has also developed a website entitled “COVID-19 Resources.” The website is www.wyedc.org/covid-19-resources.

Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is executive director of Business West.

The changing look of retail

The Legends Outlets parking lots looked empty on Friday afternoon as a “stay-at-home” order was in effect in Wyandotte County to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Legends closed on Tuesday. Some restaurants may be open for carryout. The “stay-at-home” order went into effect Tuesday and continues through April 23.
The Legends Outlets parking lots looked empty on Friday afternoon as a “stay-at-home” order was in effect in Wyandotte County because of COVID-19. The Legends closed on Tuesday. Some restaurants may be open for carryout.
The parking lot of Walmart near 108th and Parallel Parkway looked busy on Friday afternoon, although a “stay-at-home” order was in effect because of COVID-19. Residents are allowed to make trips for food, medication and necessities.

UG Commission approves small business grants

The Unified Government Commission on Thursday night approved small business grants for Wyandotte County.

The grants are for up to $5,000. According to UG Administrator Doug Bach, there is no effect on the current budget, since the funding for the program has already been approved.

Now, however, the grants can be expedited and can be made available quickly to local businesses, according to UG officials.

Katherine Carttar, director of economic development for the UG, said the small business grant fund is $50,000. The UG has been allotting grants annually for small businesses, and made some changes Thursday because of COVID-19, she said.

The UG will loosen the eligibility standards for what the funds may be used for, she said. The grants now may be used for capital access, workforce capacity, inventory and supply shortfalls, facility remediation and cleanup costs, and marketing.

The UG will remove all application deadlines for the 2020 year, and will accept ongoing applications, she said.

Also, the UG is removing the requirement for matching funds, she said.

The maximum amount a business could apply for has been reduced to $5,000, Carttar said. Previously it was $10,000. This will allow the UG to increase the number of businesses it may assist, she said.

The need for documentation will remain in place, but the UG no longer will require financial projections, as it is something that is currently difficult to come up with, she added.

It was unanimously approved Thursday night, and the UG started accepting applications on Friday.

Bach said if the program is successful, the UG could ask the commission at a later date for additional funding.

Commissioner Tom Burroughs, who voted for the program, said the governor also has put in place a $5 million program to help small businesses across the state.

For more information, call 913-573-5439, email [email protected] or visit
wycokck.org/economic and https://www.wycokck.org/WycoKCK/media/Health-Department/Documents/UG-Small-Business-Incentive-Program.pdf.