Economic Recovery Network set up to guide how to get back on our feet.

News 100 blueBy Staff

May 4th, 2020

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Burlington’s business support organizations, known as Team Burlington, have announced the launch of the Burlington Economic Recovery Network.

Comprised of Burlington Economic Development, the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, Burlington Downtown Business Association, Aldershot Village BIA, and Tourism Burlington, Team Burlington has been working closely over the last several weeks to support the business community in dealing with the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.

Would a downtown mobility hub result in greater density on the east side of Brant Street?  Would traffic from the core work itself to the Burlington GO station?

How much of the downtown core will survive the pandemic? what about the Aldershot and Alton communities?

The Network will bring together key stakeholders and business leaders from across Burlington to develop a recovery strategy that will prepare our economy for recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. The impacts of the global pandemic are already being felt locally and there is a strong need to align economic stakeholders and business support groups to position Burlington for short and long-term economic recovery.

In a joint statement made by the leadership of the Team Burlington organizations they said:  “We’re being proactive. The Burlington Economic Recovery Network is a natural extension of the work Team Burlington is currently doing to support businesses in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis. The creation of the network is about preparing businesses to come out strong on the other side and help our local economy recover. Meaningful advocacy, as well as business support and programming will be key outcomes.”

The impacts of COVID-19 are already being felt in our community and will continue to be felt long after the state of emergency has ended. It is anticipated that in Burlington alone, just under 2,000 businesses and 29,000 jobs may be directly affected. The network will work together to advocate for business support at all levels of government, including targeted relief measures and stimulus funding for the hardest hit sectors, which include agriculture, retail, tourism, healthcare  and hospitality.

The network will also focus on cutting “red tape” to help all sectors rebound and get back to business.

Meed Ward with chain Sept 23-19

Mayor Meed Ward is happy with the work Team Burlington has done.

Mayor Marianne Meed Ward is looking forward to how the Network will help businesses through recovery. “Our local businesses have not been immune to the negative economic effects of the COVID-19 emergency. I’m very happy with the work Team Burlington has done so far and the support and guidance they have been offering to owners and staff. I support the launch of the Network as it will work to address, wherever possible, any gaps in existing supports, such as directing guidance to help manufacturers retool; clarity on direct contacts for supports at federally- and provincially-announced programs; and any constraints on our municipality to support.

The Economic Recovery Network will be focused on seeing our businesses through COVID-19 and ensuring they can get back on their feet after this crisis and that’s the light at the end of this tunnel that we need.”

Every bit counts and the business community is going to need all the help it can get.  There will likely be considerable damage.

There are views that the commercial sector hasn’t managed to come together as a group.  The creation of the Network is a good start – but isn’t the information they refer to available from the offices of the MP and the MPP?

And what are we hearing from the Economic Development people at the Region?

Stephen White, an at times acerbic critic had this to say several weeks ago.

Steven White

Stephen White

“Moral support and a business seminar. Is that it? Is that all Team Burlington has to offer? In the words of a song from the immortal American Blues singer, the great Peggy Lee,”Is that all there is”?

Here are some free ideas Team Burlington can “run up the flagpole”:

1) hire a website designer, create a central website, and have them work with all the small, at risk businesses in Burlington that do not currently have a website or internet presence. The website designer can help them create an ad or posting promoting their services, hours of operation, contact information, etc.

2) on behalf of small business owners at severe risk, collectively approach their landlords and ask them to accept a reduced rental payment through the end of the year. Half a loaf is better than no loaf. If the “at risk” businesses go under the landlords are left trying to rent property in a depressed market.

3) 2 hours free parking downtown from the time things open up to the end of the year.

4) Approach the Burlington Post and the Burlington Gazette, and purchase advertising space in both printed and electronic format on behalf of the most severely “at risk” businesses to promote their products and services. Default to those with no internet presence or website.

5) identify those business owners who want/have to sell, and facilitate discussions/meetings with recent immigrants or those wishing to buy a business.

If Team Burlington doesn’t like the preceding, then fine: come up with some ideas of your own.

However, for God’s sake, don’t just sit there and mouth platitudes like “We’re all in this together”. Moral support is wonderful, but it doesn’t put food on the table, pay the bills or keep a roof over one’s head. This is an existential crisis, and it’s high time the captains of industry in this community started demonstrating some real leadership.”

More information on the Burlington Economic Recovery Network will be posted on the Team Burlington COVID-19 one-stop-shop resource site, hosted on burlingtonchamber.com.

Return to the Front page
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

1 comment to Economic Recovery Network set up to guide how to get back on our feet.

  • Hans Jacobs

    Re: “…don’t just sit there and mouth platitudes like “We’re all in this together”.” is one of the most incisive comments I’ve seen on this topic.