TRENDS Diary, a project of the Community Foundation of Boulder County, is a place for Boulder County residents of all ages to share personal experiences that relate to a pressing community need. The focus, for now, is on our shared need to connect and solve problems, despite the increased isolation we’re all experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Listen To The Audio Diary:
Dear TRENDS Diary,
Last year was incredibly challenging for local businesses, and unfortunately those challenges have continued into 2021.
In Nederland, every single business has felt the impact of COVID-19 – whether it be through mandatory closures, modifying their business practices so that they can do to-go and/or curbside pick-up, and making sure that they have the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to ensure the health and safety of their employees. All of these changes put a lot of pressure on the small business owners in our community.
In an effort to support these businesses – and in my role as Deputy Town Administrator/Town Clerk – I have committed to making sure that we are consistently sending information to them about how the changes in level restrictions impact them, specifically.
I’ve made sure that businesses are aware of funding opportunities available to them, and assisted owners in completing their applications, when needed. I’ve done walk-throughs with businesses to ensure that the way in which they have rearranged their building spaces adheres to social distancing guidelines.
I have also built online stores for businesses so that they can have a website presence in order to sell their merchandise. And I’ve ordered and distributed more than $6K in PPE, and awarded businesses that applied for the COVID-19 Loss of Revenue Grant up to $3,733.30 from funds received from the Boulder County Commissioners. Most recently, I completed my certification to be an inspector for the Five-Star Program, should any of our businesses be interested in applying.
I am happy to report that, to date, none of our businesses have closed their doors due to COVID-19, and I hope we can keep it that way. Assisting Nederland businesses is incredibly important to me, and I will continue to do anything I can for them.
– Miranda Fisher, as told to Sabine Kortals Stein