WORKERS WANTED LOCAL MERCHANTS SCRAMBLE TO FILL JOBS
W
hen the pandemic broke out, my big concern was our small business community. Obviously, global attention focused on people’s health and the rising COVID-19 death
CH By Cecily Hastings Publisher’s Desk
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count. But I figured there was nothing much I could do about it, other than try to keep safe and my family safe. I knew local small businesses were in for a rough time. Eager to help, our COO Daniel Nardinelli and I created the “Pledge 100% Local” campaign. “Pledge 100% Local” meant exactly that. It was designed to help neighbors understand how important it is to buy from local businesses. A subtext was to support local employers. After all, they employ many of our neighbors. Over the past year and half, I have spoken to many business owners. Mostly, we talk about staffing.
At first, business owners were heartbroken to lay off people. Everyone was grateful for the unemployment insurance system, along with additional federal benefits to help get folks through the pandemic. The generous benefits were designed to prevent foreclosures, evictions and bankruptcies. For many businesses, closures extended from weeks to months. Some reopened last October, only to quickly close again. Employers questioned their entire personnel structure. Who would come back to work? Who would take other jobs? How would extended unemployment benefits impact the
challenge of filling work shifts? Most employers were very concerned. Only a few were confident. As businesses reopened this past spring, most found themselves short of workers. Neighborhood commercial areas were filled with signs pleading “Help wanted” and “We’re hiring.” Business practices changed. Lack of staff forced businesses to limit operating hours. The Waterboy restaurant reopened in spring with dinners only on weekends. Lunch service was eventually added, but days were limited. There were several
