Town of Windsor COVID Related Economic Development Activities

www.townofwindsor.com

Town of Windsor COVID Related Economic Development Activities

Town Council Meeting May 20, 2020

Presentation Overview

•General Business Support•Business Promotions•SoCo Launch and Regional Economic Recovery Planning

•Questions?


General Business Support


• Develop website with coronavirus-related resources for Windsor businesses, which includes:

• Disaster assistance financing and grants from state, federal and private sources• Business-related information from public health organization• Guidance on best practices for food and retail businesses during the pandemic• Information for employers who are forced to lay off staff• Information for employees who have been laid off or impacted by the virus

https://www.townofwindsor.com/1209/Coronavirus-Resources-for-Windsor-Busine

https://www.townofwindsor.com/1209/Coronavirus-Resources-for-Windsor-Busine

General Business Support


• Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and other CARES Act programs

• Coordinate with other Economic Development professionals• Share information with the community and businesses• Zoom meetings and webinars for businesses

Business Promotions- Open for Pickup Signs


Business Promotions-Curbside Meals


Business Promotions- Meals with the Mayor(s)


Business Promotions- Branding Project Goals


Create a brand positioning and messaging guide and toolkit for all Windsor Economic Development communications.

Promote the Town of Windsor as a great place to visit, live, work and do business.

Highlight local visitor-serving businesses and events to increase tourism and the success of local businesses.

Communicate to local job creators the many resources available for starting, growing and retaining a business in the Town of Windsor and improve the understanding of tools and services provided by the Town of Windsor.

Plan for the return to “normalcy” after COVID-19 with a clear direction and set of tools, welcoming visitors, businesses and potential residents to the town with strategically open arms.

Business Promotions- Key Audiences


Business Owners. From family-owned businesses to regional corporations, we’ll create a united messaging toolset that helps businesses remain here, expand, and attract new talent.

Regional Tourists. We can be more than a place people pass through; we can become a destination. An authentic, welcoming community that entices visitors to relax, explore, and enjoy themselves.

Windsor Locals. We want to reinvigorate and celebrate our local community, to show them our goals and vision, and further boost their pride and vision for the potential of our town.

Regional Neighbors. We can lift the perception and awareness of Windsor companies to attract a variety of guests and customers to Windsor from the surrounding region. From B2B, industry, hospitality, and beyond.

Business Promotions- Process


Facilitated strategic workshops with key decision makers including the Mayor, Vice Mayor, Chamber CEO, Economic Development Manager, President of Downtown Merchants Association

Interviewed 8 key influencers (business owners, developers, community members)

Surveyed 29 community members, local business owners and key stakeholders

Reviewed the key documentation + previous work, noting where our branding efforts could elevate town goals and perception

Multiple rounds of concept and messaging review with stakeholders

5/20/2020

5/20/2020

5/20/2020

Regional Economic Recovery Planning


• Partnership between Economic Development, Businesses, and Public Health

• Develop mitigation strategies to help reopen local businesses as quickly and safely as possible

• Short and Long Range Recovery Plans coming soon…

SoCo Launch- Tools

1. Business Mitigation Checklist2. Best Management Practices3. Business Self-Certification Assessment


http://sonomaedb.org/

http://sonomaedb.org/

SoCo Launch- Business Mitigation Checklist

Health Officer Requirements1. Minimizing In-Person Interactions2. Daily Monitoring of Employee

Health Requirements3. Health and Safety Guidelines



SoCo Launch- Best Management Practices

• Industry Specific Guidance• Created to meet mitigation measures• Developed by businesses • Reviewed by Health Officer• More coming soon…

SoCo Launch-Self- Certification • Sonoma Safe• Online Form• Printable certificate


www.townofwindsor.com8/20/2019

Economic Development- Next Steps

1. Continuing to find creative ways to promote and support Windsor businesses

2. Develop plans to support increased outdoor dining 3. Working with the County on Regional Economic Recovery

Planning4. Utilizing the new branding and marketing assets to launch

a campaign focused on attracting regional visitors from the Bay Area and Sacramento markets


Questions?

Documents

Town of Windsor COVID Related Economic Development Activities