AFTER THE OUTBREAK: Reopening Rochester - Back to Business

How will Rochester get back to business when the city reopens?

We're finding out.

Rochester fully reopens.xxx back to our latest installment of "after the outbreak" reopening rochester... small businesses have arguably taken the biggest economic blow from the coronavirus.

So getting back to business is a high priority.

In tonight's installment of "after the outbreak?

Reopening rochester" kimt news 3's jessica bringe is learning what plans are in place to get local restaurants and shops back on their feet when rochester fully reopens.xxx on the scene from bars and restaurants in downtown rochester& to shops and services all over town& this pandemic is taking a financial toll on nearly everything.

What assistance is already out there for local business owners?

How do they get their hands on paycheck protection program funds?

And where will guidelines for safely reopening come from?

I'm finding out.

The coronavirus pandemic is one of the most devastating periods in history for all businesses& big or small.

We were projected to have the best year ever in terms of the business being, you know, being the best year we've ever had to not being able to pay the rent.

Annalissa johnson owns good dog camp here in rochester& she says she's not only lost two thirds of her business& but she's also been forced to let go of three of her four employees.

I think that's the hardest part is having those people who rely on you, is not being able to help them.

Johnson is not alone?

We spoke pappy's place in rochester on the day governor tim walz announced bars and restaurants would have to close for din?

In service& over one month ago.

"hopefully us small businesses will survive this."

Since then& government assistance has become available for business owners.

And as we told you in last night's installment of this fiv?part series... the city of rochester has commissioned an economic stability team to help businesses understand what loans are available& how to use them& and how to maximize them.

Really communicating to our members the opportunities that the city is putting together to support local business and residents.

Chamber president kathleen harrington stresses that any business owner who has applied for a paycheck protection program loan and were denied shouldn't give up.

"try again and if you didn't apply because you don't have a relationship with a banker?

Get one now."

"casablanca" owners say when they tried applying for the original 34?

Billion in ??p loans&.

The funds had already ran dry.

Our bank contacted us and we saw it on the news and it said 'ppp funds?

Ran out' owner amber bojji says she'd like to see more direction from the city about their other options& especially as they struggle to keep doors open.

I'm scared, my husband's scared.

We don't know what the outcome will be.

The chamber has been looking ahead to educate businesses on health and safety regulations for when rochester does start to reopen& and its working to provide guidelines for employers before that happens.

"we want to make sure they have the resources to stabilize their businesses at this time and be prepared for what's to come when we're allowed to reopen the economy d get on, god willing, the road to recovery."

Harrington believes small rochester businesses will be able to apply for ??p loans again possibly as soon as this weekend.

And the city's economic on tomorrow's installment of from bars and restaurants in downtown rochester& to shops and services all over town& this pandemic is taking a financial toll on nearly everything.

What assistance is already out there for local business owners?

How do they get their hands on paycheck protection program funds?

And where will guidelines for safely reopening come from?

I'm finding out.

The coronavirus pandemic is one of the most devastating periods in history for all businesses& big or small.

We were projected to have the best year ever in terms of the business being, you know, being the best year we've ever had to not being able to pay the rent.

Annalissa johnson owns good dog camp here in rochester& she says she's not only lost two thirds of her business& but she's also been forced to let go of three of her four employees.

I think that's the hardest part is having those people who rely on you, is not being able to help them.

Johnson is not alone?

We spoke pappy's place in rochester on the day governor tim walz announced bars and restaurants would have to close for din?

In service& over one month ago.

"hopefully us small businesses will survive this."

Since then& government assistance has become available for business owners.

And as we told you in last night's installment of this fiv?part series... the city of rochester has commissioned an economic stability team to help businesses understand what loans are available& how to use them& and how to maximize them.

Really communicating to our members the opportunities