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  • The Shared Spaces program: a crisis-driven experiment that could permanently change San Francisco's urban landscape

    September 22, 2020 |

    Mission Local |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

    The Shared Spaces program is a pandemic-driven initiative that increases outdoor dining space in commercial areas. The initiative made the permit process more user friendly and less expensive. Over 1,200 outdoor dining applications were approved in three months, which is more than the city approved in 2018 and 2019 combined. The increased capacity of outdoor dining seating takes away other public spaces, usually parking and driving space, but the program’s success has helped businesses survive pandemic-related restrictions and officials are assessing the program to maintain it moving forward.

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  • Truck Convoy Brings Boon to Town Plagued by Violence

    September 20, 2020 |

    Global Press Journal |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kanyabayonga

    Truck convoys ensure safer journeys for drivers and their goods around Kanyabayonga, an area that experiences intermittent instability and violence between armed groups. Up to 100 trucks carrying goods like charcoal, bananas, or lumber line up most days and wait for permission to continue their journey. The local economy has benefited, with restaurants and stores popping up to accommodate the influx of people. A ban on night time driving to prevent threats from armed groups has also supported the growth of a hotel industry, with 15 informal hotels now in operation.

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  • Will API Small Businesses Survive in Post-COVID Era?

    September 05, 2020 |

    Rafu Shimpo |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

    Business counseling for struggling entrepreneurs has been crucial for small businesses trying to get back on their feet in the aftermath of the shutdown. The Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program was specifically formed for Asian Pacific Islanders, who failed to find help because of language barriers. API SBP brings together different business communities to work collaboratively and pool resources. In addition to rent relief, navigating changes to PPP, and finding available grant programs, counselors have recently assisted businesses with social media presence and building websites.

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  • Can Mount Vernon learn from Marion's downtown alley project?

    August 23, 2020 |

    Knox Pages |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Marion, Ohio

    The city of Marion, Ohio, has allocated an alley for use as a community hub where diners can eat, families can frolick, and revelers can listen to live music. The space has benefitted the local economy, encouraging residents to come out and support vendors on main street. During the pandemic, it served as a place people could safely gather while enjoying fresh air and a lively atmosphere. The nearby city of Mount Vernon is taking notes from Marion's success.

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  • Business Unusual: Local manufacturers adapt, preserve jobs, and carry on during pandemic

    July 30, 2020 |

    FreshWater Cleveland |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Ohio

    Local businesses in Northeastern Ohio pivoted their operations to manufacture supplies needed to fight Covid-19 in an effort to fill a dire public need while preserving jobs for their employees. Employees were trained in industrial sewing machines to create masks, gowns, and other personal protective equipment for those on the frontlines. A Small Business Recovery grant allowed a distillery to use its existing technology to produce hand sanitizer instead of whiskey. Face shields were particularly tricky to produce effectively but 30 Northeast Ohio companies came together to create a custom product.

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  • U.S. town creates local currency to boost coronavirus relief Audio icon

    July 09, 2020 |

    Thomson Reuters Foundation |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Tenino, Washington

    Facing the economic strain from the financial fallout caused by the coronavirus crisis, Tenino is printing its own money like it once did in the wake of the Great Depression. The small town in Washington has issued at least $2,500 worth of wooden bills to exclusively be used for small businesses on Main Street. Thirteen residents have applied for the funds and $150 have been spent by residents on necessities as of June. Other small towns across the country have already sent inquiries to the mayor of Tenino, seeking to imitate Tenino's effort.

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  • Fishermen sell their products at farmers' markets for the first time in Guanacaste

    July 03, 2020 |

    La Voz de Guanacaste |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: Costa Rica

    In Costa Rica, the Guanacaste Chamber of Fishermen, known as CPG launched an initiative to help local fisherman making a living during the pandemic. Most of them sold their product to hotels, but due to the pandemic, 140 hotels closed. The initiative, known as Arroz y Frijoles has helped. CPG buys fish from the fishers, then sell it at the farmers’ markets. ““Fortunately, sales have been constant, we’re getting out a few fishes, around 30 to 100 kilos per night.”

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  • Why a small town in Washington is printing its own currency during the pandemic

    June 12, 2020 |

    The Hustle |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Tenino, Washington

    The town of Tenino, Washington has begun to print their own unique money during the coronavirus pandemic to both ward of the economic fallout and help those who are facing financial insecurity. Similar to efforts from the city's past as well as that of other small towns, the locally-printed wooden dollars can only be spent at local businesses and for basic needs, with the mayor explaining, "Amazon will not be accepting wooden dollars.”

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  • Where Do We Grow From Here?

    June 02, 2020 |

    Montana Free Press |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Bozeman, Montana

    In Montana, a group of professionals were brought together to collaborate on the pandemic recovery effort underway in Bozeman, with the economic development director at the helm. Known as the Bozeman Economic Recovery and Resiliency Team, the group is comprised of 25 members including business leaders, local and state government officials, education leadership, and representatives from tourism and childcare industries, among others. The group was formed at the outset of the pandemic to efficiently communicate constantly-shifting information, ascertain needs, and manage local recovery efforts.

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  • COVID-19 dining out: Restaurants take to the streets to create socially distanced dining rooms as nation reopens

    May 21, 2020 |

    USA Today |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Warrenton, Virginia

    As the U.S attempts to reopen, restaurant owners from California to Florida are expanding their restaurants into nearby outdoor space, including sidewalks and parking lots. In doing so, they are able to offer patrons a safer dining environment, as there is more room to keep tables further apart and follow social distancing precautions, and it also helps restaurants earn more revenue than if they were limited to indoor space. Some city governments are streamlining the process, including Brookhaven, Georgia, which made it free to access short-term permits for outdoor dining.

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