HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.c. COVID-19 Update
E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y
Port Authority Meeting: April 21, 2020
AGENDA ITEM: COVID-19 Update AGENDA SECTION:
New Business
PREPARED BY: Eric Van Oss, Economic Development
Coordinator AGENDA NO. 5.c.
ATTACHMENTS: None. APPROVED BY: LJM
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Information Item
SUMMARY
As the COVID-19 pandemic began in late February staff began to prepare resources for residents and
businesses. Since this is an unknown frontier and information updates are almost daily, staff has devoted a
significant amount of time to create outward facing resources for the business community and residents.
Some of the major initiatives are outlined below.
A major project was the creation of the COVID-19 Resources website for Rosemount. This website
contains information for residents and businesses as they navigate the crisis. Several features of the site
include resources specifically for business. An ArcGIS map with geotagged locations is available
for the updated hours, services, and social distancing guidelines for individual Rosemount businesses. This
mapping tool can be filtered by type of business establishment and location. The map has been well received
by residents and by other cities in Dakota County. Due to the response, Rosemount led the way for this tool
to provide business information, along with the free lunch locations for student, for the whole of Dakota
County. A lot of the work has been done by Aaron Menza our GIS Analyst on the page and maps.
So far, the Open for Business mapping site (created 3/17) has had 3,433 unique visits (114 per day) and the
COVID-19 website (created 3/22) has had 2,397 unique visits (89 per day). Additionally, the school lunch
mapping tool (created 3/15) has had 10,029 visits (304 views per day). The website also includes business
resources such as SBA grant information, Emergency Loan information, and changes to Sales and Use tax
collection. The website helps to compile resources and programs from a wide array of government
agencies into a single location. Additionally, staff published an “emergency” Rosemount Business Bulletin
solely devoted to resources for employers and employees in Rosemount.
Staff has been engaging with the State, County, and Dakota County Regional Chamber on a near daily basis
as new information and programs are unveiled. This includes regular weekly calls with the Department of
Employment and Economic Development regarding new programs, loans, and changes to the Stay at Home
Executive Order. This information is used as part regular email blast to the City’s business distribution lists
to keep businesses aware of recent changes. Staff has been compiling CVOID-19 business related
information and distributing it on as a “weekly roundup” to the City’s distribution lists and on social media
accounts.
Staff has fielded calls, emails and social media messages from local businesses regarding a number of
COVID related issues, such as information on DEED’s shared work program, unemployment benefits for
independent contractors, and questions interpreting the Critical Business exemption in the Stay at Home
Executive Order. The table below breakout calls by issue type:
Question/Type Number
DEED Programs 11
Small Business Administration Programs 4
Rosemount City Operations 2
Critical Business Clarification 10
Permits 3
Available Space 1
Met Council Programs 2
Department of Rev. 2
Other 3
Staff has moved forward with ideas to support local restaurants in light of the Stay at Home Order.
One such as Rosemount Takeout BINGO. This is a BINGO board created by the City to encourage
residents to order takeout. The City is using social media and prizes to promote participation. Several
residents have commented that they would like to see an additional BINGO board for other types of
business, such as the Rosemount Floral and boutique clothing stores.
Staff has also discussed other ways to support local business, particularly after the Stay at Home Order is
lifted. Some items from those discussions include the creation of a City revolving loan fund, “reopening”
ribbon cuttings, and creating a social distancing best practices resource as foot traffic resumes.