On March 24, Governor Bullock extended the closures of public schools and dine-in food service and alcoholic beverage businesses through April 10 and mandated social distancing measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Montana. Per the state directive, retail businesses are also required to establish, implement, and enforce social distancing policies to ensure a minimum of six feet between customers, effective March 28. This requirement does not apply to grocery, health care, medical, or pharmacy services, although they are also encouraged to comply with social distancing protocols if possible.
The State of Montana is providing real-time information online here: https://covid19.mt.gov/
Additionally, the City of Missoula and Missoula County have launched a webpage that links to a variety of other local resources for both individuals and businesses. Here’s the site: http://covid19.missoula.co/
We encourage you to continue monitoring of the Missoula City County Health Department (MCCHD) website found here: https://www.missoulacounty.us/government/health/health-department
In an effort to keep up to date on what’s happening in the field, there are a couple of surveys being distributed across the state and throughout Missoula.
- Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research is tracking real-time data from businesses all across Montana and providing valuable information for state leadership. Complete the online survey here: http://surveys.itrr.umt.edu/COVID19BusinessIMpacts2/?id=67j5X
- The Missoula Chamber is surveying Missoula-area businesses with the hopes of using the data to inform our delegation in Washington D.C. Please take the survey if you haven’t already: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JRVRX7L
For non-profit organizations, the Montana Nonprofit Association is doing good work in the advocacy and education field. You can sign up for a Town Hall Meeting, get updates on the revised labor laws, and share information here: https://www.mtnonprofit.org/
United Way’s Emergency Fund has approximately $135,000 to distribute to Missoula-area individuals who need help right now. United Way is both accepting donations to the fund and accepting applications for assistance. You can learn more here: https://www.missoulaunitedway.org/emergency-assistance.
As more information comes available, the Missoula Economic Partnership will share information on its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MissoulaEconomicPartnership/
If you don’t already know, Mountain Line has modified its schedule and practices during this time. You can find updated information here: https://www.mountainline.com/
In addition to the resources being provided by the Small Business Administration (www.sba.gov), there is some good information online from the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center (https://www.georgiasbdc.org/). Check out the Small Business Response & Recovery Resources: https://www.georgiasbdc.org/response-and-recovery/
Blackstone LaunchPad is doing a Facebook LIVE event with Tom Snyder, owner of Five on Black, this Thursday, March 26 at 12 noon. Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/blackstonelaunchpaduniversityofmontana/
We’ve heard a lot of creative stories recently on how businesses are supporting each other. Today Worden’s Market is feeding 150 people at the Poverello. This week ALPS agreed to match gift card purchases by its employees as a way to support our local businesses. Our community really does care about each other.
We encourage you to continue to care for yourselves and your families, and we ask you to support your business neighbors and friends. We must do all we can to help each other survive this pandemic. Keep communicating, sharing information and getting creative! We will get through this!
Montana Strong!
Linda McCarthy
Executive Director