Guest Op-Ed
What have I learned from the COVID-19 crisis?
It goes without saying that this exceeds what any of us ever fathomed could happen.
My heart breaks for the families that the illness has hit. On the flip side my heart swells with pride for our brave, selfless hospital staff, first responders and the grocery employees who have to face crowds daily.
From my perspective at the Development Corporation of Snyder, (DCOS) I knew there would be huge impact on our local economy. I dug in to digest and understand the SBA loan programs as a resource to direct our local businesses. I have posted, almost daily, on our Facebook page, a “business minute” video with updates on loans and resources. As a former small business owner myself, it hurt me to the core as I saw the stress and helpless feeling that engulfed our local businesses.
The beautiful flip side of the crisis, as it has progressed, is that I have witnessed a level of heroic perseverance and adaptability in our Snyder business owners. There are business owners that have grabbed this challenge by the horns, adapting in unprecedented and successful ways, hustling to keep their business thriving. I saw business owners reach out to fellow business owners to offer help and camaraderie, banding together to be the common voice for business.
I got a call from a business owner last week, someone I did not know, who had to close her business as she was unable to operate in the downturn. She had a whole laundry list of issues that had grown exponentially due to not being able to open. She wanted to apply for an SBA loan but was unsure she would qualify. There were tears as she expressed her sense of hopelessness.
We spoke, sometimes more than once a day, over the past week. While she was engulfed in the entirety of her situation, I simply broke it down issue-by-issue with her.
She got to work addressing each setback.
Her phone call to me Tuesday evening was completely different that the fist one I received from her. She had been approved for the Paycheck Protection Program and she was able to generate some revenue this week by her sheer determination to think outside the box. She expressed both her delight, and shock, that while working with people to address her issues, she was met with dignity and kindness.
While she will still face struggles daily until we are back to normal, she has a newfound confidence knowing she has to power to adapt. Sharing in her joy and relief as she pushed herself to survive so richly rewarded me.
The spirit of Snyder, that is what I have been blessed by during this crisis.
This is surreal and a terrible situation, but from this will come stories of amazing growth.
I am happy to report that I have had conversations with about 50 businesses looking for guidance on the SBA loans and many of those are starting to receive funding. Please feel free to contact me for information on loan or grant programs, to be a listening ear or as a sounding board for your ideas.
Brooke Proctor is executive director of the Development Corporation of Snyder. Comments about her column may be emailed to Brooke@growsnyder.com or 573-1544.