By Chase Rogers
Businesses in Hays County are saying that they could only sustain operations for a “few weeks” under current
conditions.
That’s according to a survey by Hays County which reached out to local businesses, of which 75 percent reported employing 10 or fewer employees, thus being classified as small businesses.
More than 50% reported they could not sustain business for more than a few weeks.
Moreover, fewer than 20 percent of the 552 respondents said they could hold out for a month or two.
The “Hays County COVID-19 Business Impact Survey” results show a majority of businesses within the county fear they will be negatively affected by the novel coronavirus outbreak, prompting them to tailor their methods to weather the pandemic.
Over the course of two weeks, respondents fielded questions describing the effects of the county’s stay-at-home order and social distancing guidelines on their businesses, including the staying power under the current conditions, innovations made to maintain business, effects on employees and supply chain integrity. Buda Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director J.R. Gonzales said these unprecedented results have called for innovation among both small and large businesses.
“Some of the businesses believe they just don’t have enough wherewithal to sustain themselves through this crisis,”
Gonzales said. “As a result, businesses have been getting creative. There are some that are doing things they haven’t done before ... going online, curbside pickup and other options.”
As local restaurants and eateries have been heavily affected by bans on large gatherings, many have opted to offer curbside and pick up services to continuing serving customers.
In addition, the Buda chamber has created a Facebook group that has garnered more than 1,200 members where customers and business owners can promote their local restaurants. Gonzales said efforts like these work to help out all businesses, not just members of the chamber.
“We’re helping everybody. You’ll see who our members are, but we list every business in town because as a chamber we feel it’s important to support all of our local businesses,” Gonzales said. “We’re all in the same boat.”
Changes are not only happening with restaurants, with an example of innovative practices in the retail industry including a Buda nature-centric clothing retailer, The Budaful Hiker, live-streaming the in-house production
of their products and interacting with prospective customers on their Facebook page.
Mentioned in the responses of the survey are concerns about potential grants, loan options and incentives.
As announced by Gov. Greg Abbott March 20, business owners seeking a low-interest loan can apply for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s “Economic Injury Disaster Loan”.
Gonzales recommends that businesses looking to take out loans fully evaluate other options, including how they can better mold their businesses to the current moment, before taking on a loan.
“Best advice (for businesses owners) – look at all the programs available to you from a person from a business loan, to stimulus to grants, anything that’s out there, and then choose wisely what’s going to work best for you and your business,” Gonzales said. “And explore all other possibilities. There’s going to be some more stimulus programs that are coming out from the government that will be able to help sustain your business.”
