The Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce has some grave concerns for local business owners in the COVID-19 climate.
Chamber President and CEO Gail Hundt has formerly written Mayor Darrin Canniff and the municipality to express the current dire circumstances.
“These are unprecedented times,” writes Hundt. “(Businesses) are concerned, worried with tough decisions, dealing with pressures of who to pay, can I pay, will I have revenue, what costs can I eliminate, and ultimately, will my business survive?”
Hundt says 49% of local businesses surveyed said that weathering the COVID-19 disruptions are problematic to their operations.
“On behalf of our members and local business, we suggest pencils need be sharpened,” says Hundt. “The municipality must make the same bold considerations as a business owner and find substantial cost savings for the long-term gain of our community. Consider, if business doesn’t close from the current crisis, will future tax levels put them in disparaging circumstances and force closures or, yet, bankruptcy? These are not favourable thoughts, yet, can be our reality if deep savings are not taken.”
Hundt says Council has bold decisions to make for conclusions that will impact the future of business in Chatham-Kent.
“lt is necessary now, more then ever before, that our Municipal Leaders think to the future prosperity of Chatham-Kent,” adds Hundt. “Let’s be frank, if business does not survive, unemployment levels will increase, tax base will decrease, support to local initiatives and
charities are eliminated, and new investments are a thing of the past, all the while any growth opportunity in Chatham-Kent looks bleak.”
The Chamber is also concerned about what happens after the crisis.
“lf a business survives the current crisis, can they afford to continue” asks Hundt. “We recognize there are various government reliefs, yet, ‘bankruptcy’ is a familiar word at present.”
The Chamber recognizes that council has recently made some decisions on deferments for local business and says while that assists short-term relief, it does not eliminate overall costs.
