More and more businesses and organizations are able to open their doors, under modified conditions. Executive Director of the Carroll Chamber of Commerce and Carroll Area Development Corporation (CADC), Shannon Landauer, says that although the governor has outlined specific restrictions, the businesses have leeway in some areas.
The spring and summer months are generally busy ones for activities and events throughout the area. Landauer says the Chamber is typically well into the planning process on many of these by now. However, business as usual there is definitely not the business as usual they used to know.
This includes the Legislative Forums that had to be suspended during the pandemic. Landauer adds they do continue to talk with our legislative leaders on weekly calls. Staff members are also discussing how to get the information out to county residents once the legislative session reconvenes on June 3. The Chamber has created an initiative, making May Chamber Bucks Month. Even though we are now halfway through, there is still plenty of time left to make a purchase.
It is more important than ever to support local businesses and this is another, easy way to do that. Those who would like to purchase Chamber Bucks can call 792-4383 or email chamber@carrolliowa.com. On the CADC side, Landauer says they are also starting to focus some of their efforts on post-COVID-19 recovery.
The current situation could also have a long-term impact on the face of our workforce with more and more people being able to work from home. Landauer says that this could be a positive element for the rural areas of the state as it gives many people the opportunity to move to a smaller community while maintaining a career with an urban business.
