Stronger Together Through Conviction: Weekly Message from Maggie Campbell, President/CEO of DAMC

During this unprecedented time, it is critical that we care for each other by caring for ourselves. The first priority for everyone is to take appropriate steps to stay well, limit the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), and ensure our community remains healthy. 

STAY AT HOME ORDER ISSUED 

On March 24, with support from Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams and Ft. Worth Mayor Betsy Price, Tarrant County Judge Glen B. Whitley issued a “stay at home” order in response to the rapid spread of COVID-19. The order states that anyone working for an essential business, ranging from health care to law enforcers to transportation to solid waste collection, may continue to go to work. Grocery stores and pharmacies are also among the businesses that will remain open, along with restaurants and bars that provide food for carry out, drive-through or delivery services.  

DOWNTOWN DELIVERS 

In anticipation of these necessary social distancing measures, last week Downtown Arlington Management Corporation (DAMC) launched Downtown Delivers. Downtown Delivers is an online platform for Downtown Arlington bar and restaurant partners to quickly communicate their current operating models, including to-go ordering, curbside pick-up, drive-through and/or delivery. Through this platform, customers can immediately find information and make informed purchasing decisions in support of their favorite Downtown dining destinations.  

Thanks to the popularity of this new program, several Downtown businesses have launched unique specials to further enhance their offerings. Hooligan’s Pub, for instance, is pairing Girl Scout Cookies with your favorite elixirs. The Tipsy Oak is selling produce along with their popular menu items. On Tap is not only serving craft beer but our community. They’re offering 15% off growlers and crowlers curbside in exchange for canned goods and non-perishable item donations for Arlington Charities.  

Visit our Downtown Delivers page for details. 

ACCESSING SMALL BUSINESS DISASTER LOANS

Thanks to recent legislative action, the U.S Small Business Administration (SBA) is now offering targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. 

Downtown Arlington runs on the power of small businesses. Several local entities, including the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce and DAMC, are working quickly to create opportunities for small businesses to access resources and facilitate online dialog and information-sharing. In fact, all of Tarrant County Chamber of Commerces are currently sharing resources for all small businesses regardless of membership status. 

The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce has put together a video with funding resources for Small Businesses. Click here to view. 

The Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce is hosting a series of Facebook Live events each weekday at 1pm featuring experts tackling important topics and updates regarding COVID-19. Tune in to tomorrow's segment with Matt Bowman, Founder and President of Thrive Internet Marketing, for "How to Transition Your Business to Remote Work."

PARTICIPATING IN THE 2020 CENSUS 

Mandated by the U.S. Constitution, every ten years our country conducts a census, our official count of every person living in the United States and its five U.S. territories. The impact of the 2020 Census will be wide-reaching. Census data will determine how many seats in Congress each state gets, for instance, and how much money is allocated for Head Start programs. Emergency funding, like that providing assistance in the COVID-19 crisis, is also allocated based on Census population data.

Within the last week, you should have received an invitation to respond to a short questionnaire. We encourage you to respond either online, by phone, or by mail in a timely manner so that Arlington is accurately reflected in the 2020 Census.   

IGNITING CREATIVITY 

As families adapt to learning and working from home, several Downtown Arlington cultural partners are offering creative outlets for kids of all ages. Visit our new blog post for details.

For more resources, visit our ever-expanding COVID-19 information page at downtownarlington.org/covid-19 

We want to serve as a comprehensive resource for our entire Downtown community. If you have questions, ideas or comments to share, please don’t hesitate to call on us. 

 
Sincerely,

Maggie Campbell
President and CEO
Downtown Arlington Management Corporation