The Tri-Valley region has faced a variety of challenges over the years, from Prohibition to the Great Depression to World War II to the 2008 recession. One common thread throughout the area's history has been a strong business community response in times of crisis. The rise of Covid-19 is no exception. In the face of this new struggle, regional business groups and political officials are offering information, guidance, and support.

Business Groups Respond

Like many other organizations, East Bay Economic Development Alliance (EDA) has compiled a list of East Bay Covid-19 Resources in response to the pandemic. East Bay EDA provides what it calls a "real-time" list that is updated frequently, available to the public, and includes upcoming business webinars, small business hotlines, regional and state resources, and much more. "We are trying to be a clearinghouse of resources, services, and opportunities," says Stephen Baiter, the group's Executive Director.

Earlier in the year, East Bay EDA launched a survey in collaboration with several cities and Chambers of Commerce to find out what East Bay business owners were experiencing during the shelter-in-place order and what those businesses needed. An analysis of the nearly 2,000 responses will help inform eventual policy recommendations to state and federal officials, according to Baiter.

According to East Bay Leadership Council (EBLC), it launched an emergency survey of its membership to help make immediate and meaningful connections between local businesses. "As a result, we connected C&H Sugar to Falcon Spirits Distillery, which took a sugar donation and turned it into hand sanitizer for essential workers," says Kristin Connelly, EBLC President. The EBLC is serving its membership in a variety of ways. "One day is all about sharing critical health care messages, the next strategizing with business leaders on how to get the Class of 2020 employed, and the next avoiding a tidal wave of traffic when employers reopen."

Recently Tri-Valley Leadership Group (ITV) partnered with Association of Manufacturers Bay Area, which is also providing Covid-19 updates and resources for manufacturers; i-GATE Innovation Hub; and local volunteers with technical expertise to create the Tri-Valley Together Volunteer Response Network. "This team of volunteer innovators is helping to meet the needs of healthcare providers with engineering design and service, small-run production and prototyping, and larger scale manufacturing," says Lynn Wallace Naylor, CEO of ITV.

The effort has been successful in both hand-crafting and delivering personal protective equipment (PPE) and also identifying East Bay manufacturing companies that have pivoted their production facilities to manufacture PPE for Tri-Valley medical care providers and businesses with critical needs, Naylor notes. ITV continues to connect with leaders from Tri-Valley based organizations to share ideas and progress as the region works to lessen the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Chambers of Commerce for Dublin, Livermore, and Pleasanton have been working tirelessly since the pandemic began. "The Chambers have become a clearinghouse for information as businesses search for answers on how to proceed," says Inge Houston, President and CEO of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. "I am getting calls literally every single day from Dublin businesses that desperately need guidance and advice on labor, finance, and government issues associated with the virus."

Dawn P. Argula, CEO and President of the Livermore Valley Chamber of Commerce (LVCC), has also seen a demand for information. "Understanding the possible economic devastation from a pandemic and its impacts, LVCC mobilized immediately," she says. "Providing access to credible and relevant information and resources in real time to support businesses, whether they were a Chamber member or not, was critical." By week two of the shelter-in-place order, the Chamber was able to launch a new website as a central resource for businesses. Post-COVID-19, the Chamber plans to support businesses through recovery stages and to prepare emergency management plans.

"We are communicating to our members as quickly as we can on all the resources that are available to them from the City of Pleasanton, Alameda County, the Small Business Association, and the Federal Government," says Steve Van Dorn, who is President and CEO of the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce. "These resources are listed on our website and have been discussed on webinars that we have held. We are calling all of our members to check-in with them to make sure they are okay and advise them of these resources. We also have an updated list of open restaurants and businesses on our website."

City of Pleasanton Support

The City of Pleasanton is committed to supporting and working with all members of the community during this crisis, including businesses and organizations. On April 15, the Pleasanton City Council approved a Business Assistance Program for businesses affected by Covid-19. The program is built around Communications and Promotion, Transient Occupancy Tax Penalties Waiver for hotels, City Utilities Penalties Waiver and Deposit Deferral, and a Business Support Fund. The Business Support Fund program sets aside approximately $3 million dollars to provide zero-interest, unsecured, short-term loans of $2,500 to $2,900 to eligible independently and locally owned micro-enterprises, restaurants, and retail businesses.

Additionally, the city's Economic Development Department has been holding weekly calls with business partner organizations and regional partners as well as collaborating with Innovation Tri-Valley and i-GATE Innovation Hub/DayBreak Labs through TriValleyConnect.org and other initiatives. The city is also working on guidelines to support the expansion of retail and restaurants into public spaces such as parking spaces and parking lots to provide additional space for meeting distancing guidelines, according to Pamela Ott, Deputy City Manager, who oversees economic development for Pleasanton.

Struggling business owners should know that there are many helpful resources and advice for surviving this challenge. The City of Pleasanton recently hosted a free webinar highlighting businesses that have pivoted their business model in response to Covid-19, a webinar that holds useful lessons. Lisa Adamos, Economic Development Manager for the City of Pleasanton's Economic Development Department, recommends that companies take the time to update their websites and create a social media presence if they have been forced to shift their business activities online.

"Think creatively and approach how you connect with customers differently," advises Ott. "Make opportunities to partner with other local companies."

"I would encourage business leaders to be bold," says Connelly. "Moments of crisis provide an opportunity to change what seemed unchangeable yesterday. With that in mind, do not wait for the green light from local officials to start preparing your business for reopening. Make the physical changes necessary to your workplace now so you can get back to work quickly when restrictions ease."

Sharing information is key, according to Houston. "Communicate with your employees, communicate with your landlord, communicate with your local government, communicate with your customers," she advises. "These times demand flexibility and knowledge."

While many changes in response to the pandemic are temporary, some may be longer lasting. "Meeting in-person has long been part of the East Bay Leadership Council's DNA but digital meetings are here to stay," notes Connelly. "Engagement is up, travel time is down to zero, and recorded meetings are becoming a long-term business resource."

Regardless of the future, companies are finding ways to cope with the current situation. "The good news is that many of our members have pivoted their business models in very creative ways and are surviving, with some thriving," notes Van Dorn. "The other good news is the outpouring of support from our community for our local small businesses. I'm sure that without this support, many would have had to close their doors."

"Even in an online-world, relationships and interaction with people are important and will be more so in the future," according to Houston. "I see our citizens and business leaders coming together to help each other. I am proud of my colleagues in Livermore, Pleasanton, and San Ramon Chambers; we are having a positive impact."

For more information about East Bay Economic Development Alliance, please visit www.eastbayeda.org. To access its real-time Covid-19 business resources list, please visit eastbayeda.org/covid-19-resources/.

For more information about East Bay Leadership Council, please visit www.eastbayleadershipcouncil.com.

For more information about Innovation Tri-Valley Leadership Group, please visit www.innovationtrivalley.org.

For more information about Association of Manufacturers Bay Area, please visit www.ambayarea.com.

For more information about the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.dublinchamberofcommerce.org.

For more information about the Livermore Valley Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.livermorechamber.org.

For more information about Livermore business resources, please visit www.livermoreupdates.com.

For more information about Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.pleasanton.org.

For more information about the City of Pleasanton's Covid-19 business support efforts as well as additional resources, please visit www.cityofpleasantonca.gov/gov/depts/ed/covid_19_business_support/default.asp.