DOWNTOWN RECOVERY INITIATIVE

The Downtown Recovery Initiative is an effort created by DLA to actively support small businesses as they recover from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The work of this initiative has already begun, as DLA provided low-cost PPE to downtown service workers, built a pop-up Takeout Patio to promote support of local restaurants, surveyed consumers to gauge changing needs, increased marketing efforts, and more.

As COVID-19 continues to prevent the full re-opening of businesses, the Downtown Recovery initiative will focus on what businesses need to stay strong. Those efforts will include:

• The Downtown Gift Card Program, a new community gift card that can be used at 40 participating downtown locations.

• Business support through constant communication and education.  

• Additional outdoor dining locations throughout downtown to encourage restaurant patronage and provide safe, distanced outdoor seating.

• Comprehensive market study to provide direction for future business expansion and investment.

• Shopping events, with in-person and online options, to boost retail revenue for downtown businesses.

• New public art installations to attract downtown visitors in a more distanced manner.

• Continued marketing and promotional campaigns to push the “support local” message.  

• Revival and organization of First Fridays, a monthly art walk, either virtually or in-person. 

• Return to small public events once again as restrictions are lifted.

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