programs to assist small businesses . We started the Small Business Recovery Fund to raise funds for the establishment of a COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Grant Program to help small businesses in downtown Jeffersonville with operational costs , such as rent , utilities , development of e-commerce , and personal protective equipment . Thanks to the support of the community we were able to raise more than $ 15,000 for this project . Every dollar raised was reinvested into our small business community and as a result we were able to help 23 small businesses . Jeffersonville Main Street , Inc . also became a resource for info on where to go for loans , grants , and protective equipment . In the beginning phases of the pandemic in order to counter the general feelings of confusion and discouragement we decided there was a need to try and relay some positive messaging for the downtown district . So , in addition to our social media messaging , we hired an artist to do chalk art on the downtown sidewalks that injected uplifting messages to passersby . And to help keep things fun we worked with Jr . Main Streeters to promote social distancing bingo so people could safely explore downtown .
With events everywhere being canceled we wanted to offer some way for people to continue to support locally-owned , downtown businesses , so we organized several sidewalk sales . With this type of event people had the opportunity to support their favorite downtown shops and restaurants in a safer open-air environment . To that point , at this year ’ s annual Holiday Open House more businesses plan to have an outdoor presence . Deemed an essential service , the Jeffersonville Farmers Market has stayed open throughout the pandemic . The number of vendors increased and it has attracted thousands of people to downtown in an outside , socially-distanced setting , and it ’ s provided a successful opportunity for local businesses to interact with new customers .
Indoor capacity restrictions for businesses led us to develop an online list of all downtown restaurants and shops that were still operating during the pandemic . This effort in tandem with a slew of social media posts about ways to support downtown businesses dovetailed into another initiative . We started the “ Open for Business ” campaign to remind people that businesses in downtown Jeffersonville were still operating through the pandemic – and needed their patronage . This consisted of TV and social media spots that featured downtown business owners and staff .
We don ’ t know when the pandemic will subside or when things will return to normal . So it leaves one asking where do we go from here and what is the future of the downtown business environment ? Downtown was vulnerable to online shopping and sprawl development before the pandemic hit . While those are still concerns , several new surveys give a glimpse of where consumer trends are heading during the pandemic and what downtowns can do to respond in this new environment . A Google survey that was highlighted in a National Main Street Center study indicates that 66 % of holiday shoppers plan to shop more at local small businesses this year . The study also indicated that almost half of shoppers plan to use options to buy online and then pickup in store or curbside . The message is that people want to support local businesses like we have in downtown Jeffersonville , but the pandemic has caused them to explore additional ways of doing that . People still like to get out of the house , and thus , they are filling up downtown restaurants and pubs again . Most restaurants have outdoor seating options now . If COVID-19 can be brought under control during the winter months then food establishments can fully utilize their indoor seating capacity . We are cautiously optimistic about the future .
Downtown Jeffersonville is a reflection of our community ’ s history and its future . The pandemic has created immense challenges that none of us has before experienced , but downtown Jeffersonville will strive to endure as it always has . Businesses will continue to be nimble and adapt , and public events will return . Hopefully , years from now , we will look back and remember 2020 as just another sail that had to be mended to keep our downtown revitalization ship on a steady course towards creating a better place to live , shop , dine , work , and play .
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