{"id":2457375,"date":"2020-04-18T22:08:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-19T04:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/aspen-in-crisis-how-far-can-6m-go-in-a-valley-ravaged-by-a-virus\/"},"modified":"2020-04-19T06:27:29","modified_gmt":"2020-04-19T12:27:29","slug":"aspen-in-crisis-how-far-can-6m-go-in-a-valley-ravaged-by-a-virus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/local-news\/aspen-in-crisis-how-far-can-6m-go-in-a-valley-ravaged-by-a-virus\/","title":{"rendered":"Aspen in crisis: How far can $6M go in a valley ravaged by a virus?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"swift-gallery p402_hide\" readability=\"6.5209713024283\">\n<ul id=\"imageGallery-324582-772\" class=\"gallery list-unstyled gallery-container\">\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-1024x682.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | Ryno\u2019s general manager Jenna Conti adjusts her mask as she stands at the take-out counter set up in the doorway of the restaurant on Friday, April 17. Ryno\u2019s will be officially closing its doors this weekend, as the owner of the building prepares to tear it down and rebuild. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"0.48721590909091\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"11.693181818182\">\n<p><strong>Ryno\u2019s general manager Jenna Conti adjusts her mask as she stands at the take-out counter set up in the doorway of the restaurant on Friday, April 17. Ryno\u2019s will be officially closing its doors this weekend, as the owner of the building prepares to tear it down and rebuild. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/aspentimes.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+AspenTimes.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/local\/aspen-in-crisis-how-far-can-6m-go-in-a-valley-ravaged-by-a-virus\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-1024x682.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1.jpg\"><i class=\"fas fa-shopping-cart\"><\/i> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-1024x682.jpg\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-1024x682.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Ryno\u2019s general manager Jenna Conti adjusts her mask as she stands at the take-out counter set up in the doorway of the restaurant on Friday, April 17. Ryno\u2019s will be officially closing its doors this weekend, as the owner of the building prepares to tear it down and rebuild. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-1-1024x682.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | A woman and her dog leave the Miners\u2019 Building after making a purchase in Aspen on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"-0.47513812154696\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9.5027624309392\">\n<p><strong>A woman and her dog leave the Miners\u2019 Building after making a purchase in Aspen on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/aspentimes.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+AspenTimes.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/local\/aspen-in-crisis-how-far-can-6m-go-in-a-valley-ravaged-by-a-virus\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-1-1024x682.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-1.jpg\"><i class=\"fas fa-shopping-cart\"><\/i> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-1-1024x682.jpg\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-1-1024x682.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"A woman and her dog leave the Miners\u2019 Building after making a purchase in Aspen on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-2-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-2-1024x703.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | People wait to pick up their food during the last week that Ryno\u2019s is open for business on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"-0.47619047619048\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9.5238095238095\">\n<p><strong>People wait to pick up their food during the last week that Ryno\u2019s is open for business on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/aspentimes.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+AspenTimes.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/local\/aspen-in-crisis-how-far-can-6m-go-in-a-valley-ravaged-by-a-virus\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-2-1024x703.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-2.jpg\"><i class=\"fas fa-shopping-cart\"><\/i> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-2-1024x703.jpg\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-2-1024x703.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"People wait to pick up their food during the last week that Ryno\u2019s is open for business on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-3-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-3-1024x682.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | A woman runs across an empty street in downtown Aspen on Saturday, April 4, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"-0.47077922077922\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9.4155844155844\">\n<p><strong>A woman runs across an empty street in downtown Aspen on Saturday, April 4, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/aspentimes.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+AspenTimes.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/local\/aspen-in-crisis-how-far-can-6m-go-in-a-valley-ravaged-by-a-virus\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-3-1024x682.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-3.jpg\"><i class=\"fas fa-shopping-cart\"><\/i> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-3-1024x682.jpg\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/04\/coronabusiness-atd-041920-1-3-1024x682.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"A woman runs across an empty street in downtown Aspen on Saturday, April 4, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"caption-toggle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/local\/aspen-in-crisis-how-far-can-6m-go-in-a-valley-ravaged-by-a-virus\/#\" class=\"show-captions\">Show Captions<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/local\/aspen-in-crisis-how-far-can-6m-go-in-a-valley-ravaged-by-a-virus\/#\" class=\"hide-captions\">Hide Captions<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"swift-infobox alignleft p402_hide\">\n<div class=\"module module-promo card shadow-sm\" readability=\"32.129243183083\">\n<div class=\"card-body\" readability=\"133.45993322204\">\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Head\">Here are some of the dozens of ideas floated from area business representatives and nonprofits based on a recent listening tour on how the city of Aspen can help them during the COVID-19 crisis:<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Subsidize or waive rent for businesses and employees.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Offer punch cards for breakfast\/lunch in town for $100 that offer $200 worth of food for local workers, at least those laid off or furloughed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Local lunch subsidies for locals when restaurants open to help them get back on their feet.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Continue free parking in the core.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Reduce permit fees, waive permit extension fees, and streamline the approval process for smaller remodel jobs, similar to what was done in the Great Recession.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Utilize more \u201cflat fee\u201d types of permits.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Waive or reduce all business fees, including license renewals, for the next 12 months.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Execute small loans ($10,000 or less) to local businesses generally along the SBA guideline and forgive them if the companies meet the criteria set by the city.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 City match ACRA\u2019s utilization of $500,000 from reserves to develop marketing strategy and stimulate the economy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Subsidize cost of RFTA passes for employers\/employees.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Subsidize cost of ski passes for employers and employees for winter 2020-21.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Relax public regulations for food and beverage, i.e., leverage unused pedestrian zones for seating, etc. through 2021.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Unemployment may be higher for those employees than what they would get on an hourly basis \u2014 help subsidize the difference.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Offer reduced cost or free lodging parking permits.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Some sort of monetary designation for payroll, or essential services in the lodging community would be very helpful.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Perhaps a percentage of payroll could be contributed by the city \u2014 applied universally \u2013 10 or 20 percent.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Subsidize the lodges that have lower rates this summer, for example a lodge that charged $300 last year, charges $200 this year and city relief funds subsidize the difference. Filling pillow space will fill retail and restaurants.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Cash to cover losses.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Similar to food tax refund concept \u2014 something like $5 per square foot of a business as a one-time payout.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Money for payroll.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">CITY OF ASPEN COVID-19 EMERGENCY RELIEF AND ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE AS APPROVED BY ASPEN CITY COUNCIL:<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 $300,000 from the general fund released to <a id=\"N0x1aa5730N0x182a940:N0x1aa5730N0x192a190\" href=\"https:\/\/pitkincounty.com\/1319\/COVID-19-Relief\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pitkin County to provide financial relief<\/a><i class=\"fas fa-external-link-alt\"><\/i> to city of Aspen residents in the areas of housing, utility, food and childcare assistance under the existing county\u2019s qualification\u2019s structure for relief.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">$3 million from the city\u2019s general fund for:<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Immediate economic relief disbursement through the Aspen Community Foundation<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Distribution to Aspen area serving nonprofits that provide legal aid and mental health services<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Community at-large COVID-19 testing and personal protective equipment<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Rent assistance and loans to stabilize businesses and nonprofits, including providing for a small business loan\/stabilization program<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Additional communication and temporary city staffing needs to implement adopted outcomes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">$1.5 million from the city\u2019s Housing Development Fund for:<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Rent and mortgage assistance for deed-restricted housing units as qualified through Pitkin County Human Services<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Additional communication and temporary city staffing needs to implement adopted outcomes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">$1 million from the city\u2019s Aspen Kids First Fund for:<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Additional childcare financial aid<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Retaining qualified child care providers and staff in the community.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND Factbox Text\">\u2022 Additional communication and temporary city staffing needs to implement adopted outcomes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText DropCap\">As city of Aspen officials contemplate how to provide relief and stimulate the local economy with $1 million in taxpayer dollars set aside during the COVID-19 crisis, business leaders have offered dozens of ideas on how the government can help.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Representatives from the Aspen Chamber Resort Association earlier this month polled its 740 members on how the city\u2019s total $6 million package could benefit them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cThe urgent need to provide relief to our community is paramount in our recovery,\u201d said ACRA President and CEO Debbie Braun in a letter to Aspen City Council. \u201cWe also know that real-time insights are critical to detecting shifts in behavior and sentiment so that we can plan appropriately for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Council last week passed a historic and <a id=\"N0x20a07a0N0x1fbcff0:N0x20a07a0N0x1fec558\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/aspen-electeds-finalize-historic-multi-million-dollar-covid-19-relief-package\/ \">unprecedented $5.8 million package<\/a> that has money being drawn from the city\u2019s housing development fund for rent and mortgage relief, the Kids\u2019 First child care fund for subsidies to help families get back to work and from the general fund to help local businesses and other efforts.<\/p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col\">\n<div class=\"row at-donation at-donation-mobile p-0\">\n<div class=\"col-xl-4 p-2\">\n<div data-bg=\"url(https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/03\/AT-logo-white.png)\" class=\"p-0 mt-2 mb-2 h-75 text-center rocket-lazyload\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/03\/AT-logo-white.png\" class=\"logo m-0 p-0 invisible\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-bg=\"url(https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/03\/at-banner-paypal.jpg)\" class=\"col-xl-8 p-3 text-center rocket-lazyload\">\n<h3 class=\"d-inline mr-3\">Support Local Journalism<\/h3>\n<p><button class=\"btn d-inline\" type=\"button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/donate\/?utm_source=article&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=donation&amp;utm_term=&amp;utm_content=mid-article\">Donate<\/a><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cEveryone has so many ideas on how that money is spent,\u201d said Lisa LeMay, regional manager for the Aspen T-Shirt Co. who also represents retailers on the ACRA board. \u201c(The city) has a lot to figure out.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">She said most retail businesses have laid off their employees and are relying on their reserves to get through the next few months.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Retail shops were shuttered by the Pitkin County public health order that called for all non-essential businesses to close, in an effort to slow the spread of the disease.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">But those business owners still have to pay rent, utilities, taxes, insurance and other costs associated with their businesses.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">LeMay said of the three Aspen store locations operated by the company she works for, one landlord was \u201cextremely generous\u201d on giving relief on rent; another was \u201cmedium\u201d and one was not willing to do anything.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cIt was shocking to us,\u201d she said, stopping short of providing detailed information.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Once Aspen\u2019s economy slowly reopens with 6-foot social distancing rules likely still in effect and minimal tourism this summer and fall, T-shirt stores are expected to be one of the <a id=\"N0x20a07a0N0x1fbd050:N0x20a07a0N0x1fec9d8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/public-health-officials-to-open-construction-bike-repair-shops-and-office-supply-stores-in-aspen-area\/\">last retailers to open<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cEveryone\u2019s crisis is going to be a little different,\u201d LeMay said. \u201cThere are so many things that can help a business.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Jimmy Yeager, owner of Jimmy\u2019s An American Restaurant since 1997, said unfortunately the local economic crisis is more like a $30 million problem, not a $6 million one.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">A few thousand dollars on rent relief is nice but won\u2019t solve the long-term effect the virus is having on a destination resort like Aspen, he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cI expect nothing from the city and the county but I will be thrilled to get anything,\u201d Yeager said, adding that the best-case scenario is his restaurant being down between 30% and 50% this summer. \u201cEven if we lose money, or break even and cut costs, what do we do in the fall?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Several store owners and restaurateurs have acknowledged the natural adversarial relationship between tenants and landlords in town, where the average rent hovers around $22,000 a month, according to sources.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cEveryone tries to get along,\u201d Yeager said. \u201cBut this is the first time we don\u2019t need to be at odds.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Yeager this week received funds from the federal government\u2019s payroll protection plan, which is a forgivable loan so he can pay his employees and avoid laying them off.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">But not everyone got to the kitty in time \u2014 the federal government ran out of money for the program last week.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cThere\u2019s a real panic,\u201d said City Councilwoman Ann Mullins, adding that local banks are deluged with small business loan applications and the money is not available. \u201cI think we should use the fund to fill in the gaps.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Mullins is serving as the liaison to the construction, professional services and real estate industries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">She said getting projects built, putting architects and land-use planners back to work, as well as others in that sector, will reinvigorate part of the economy that\u2019s not dependent on tourism.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">But fast-tracking permits for developers to begin construction projects also gives Mullins pause when she thinks about the potential negative impacts on neighboring businesses and the community in general.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Council is expected to take up the issue next week during a work session.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">At the outset of the crisis last month, each council member was assigned a different business sector to be an advocate for, Mullins explained.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">She said it\u2019s imperative for council to convene soon to discuss what they\u2019ve heard, how to get the different sectors to work with each other and let the experts take it from there.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cThe last two-and-a-half weeks we\u2019ve been gathering information and we are lagging,\u201d she said. \u201cWe don\u2019t need a perfect plan, \u2026 it needs to be well thought out, but we just need to get started.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Council member Skippy Mesirow, the liaison for retail and outdoor recreations, said he\u2019s spoke to about 60 business owners and engaged with hundreds more via email.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The time to act is now, he said, adding the money should be used to fill in the gaps between federal and state programs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cThere are differing opinions on where the money should go (is it rent or taxes?) and how it should be distributed (is it a loan or a grant? Should rent assistance go to the business or the landlord?),\u201d Mesirow wrote in an email. \u201cThe through line is that all the help helps, the financial needs are immediate, and we cannot move at the pace of government.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cWe must step up to help those in need now, not tomorrow, so that otherwise solvent loved Aspen businesses do not close unnecessarily,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">LeMay, ACRA\u2019s retail representative, who hasn\u2019t heard from Mesirow, said last week that taking the long-view is what will help retailers, because recovery is going to be a long, bumpy road.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201c(The city money) was approved early enough that they have time to figure it out,\u201d she said. \u201cIt does need to be done properly so it\u2019s better to take our time and do it right.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Councilman Ward Hauenstein, who is the liaison for the lodging and hospitality industry, agrees taking a holistic approach to all business sectors\u2019 needs, desires and issues is important before funding criteria is set.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">It\u2019s important that when it\u2019s time to accommodate guests in local lodges and condos it\u2019s done safely, Hauenstein said, so helping to provide masks for employees and guests should be part of the expenditure, as well as some sort of testing to determine whether certain people are immune to the disease and are free to move about the community.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Mullins said she wants the city to fund a coordinated mask effort for other front line employees as well.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">She also noted that the city could subsidize restaurants to provide low-cost meals for residents, which gets people back to work, and customers spending money.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cThe city in a unique way could help these businesses,\u201d Mullins said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Yeager said whichever way the city allocates the money, it shouldn\u2019t be in the business of handing out loans.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cGoing into debt is not the answer,\u201d Yeager said. \u201cIt\u2019s the kiss of death for small businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">ACRA has formed eight different task forces to help businesses with relief and recovery, with the latter being the primary focus for the chamber.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cThere\u2019s a lot going on and I feel like it\u2019s all coordinated,\u201d Braun said, adding ACRA is working closely with city officials who are currently formulating criteria for the relief package. \u201cI feel really good with the people we are working with who know how to respond.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">While there may be uncertainty and fear out there, veteran business representatives expressed their hopes for a bright future on the other side of COVID-19.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">LeMay told her employees, who are at home collecting unemployment, to spend this down time improving themselves in some way; she\u2019s learning Spanish.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cWe will grow as a community and we will come out stronger than ever,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s going to take a long time to recover from this, but if we can make it to December, then we\u2019ll make it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Yeager said bars and restaurants will always be part of society and he\u2019ll always be involved, whether Jimmy\u2019s makes it or not.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cI really know that people are doing the best they can right now,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m optimistic our landlords will support us and I\u2019m optimistic that our vendors will support us and I\u2019m optimistic that our customers will support us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText Tagline\"><a href=\"mailto:csackariason@aspentimes.com\">csackariason@aspentimes.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/local\/aspen-in-crisis-how-far-can-6m-go-in-a-valley-ravaged-by-a-virus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">via:: The Aspen Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ryno\u2019s general manager Jenna Conti adjusts her mask as she stands at the take-out counter set up in the doorway of the restaurant on Friday, April 17. Ryno\u2019s will be officially closing its doors this weekend, as the owner of the building prepares to tear it down and rebuild. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2457375","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-local-news"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-08-18 02:56:39","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"KSPN The Valley&#039;s Quality Rock","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2457375","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2457375"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2457375\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2457378,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2457375\/revisions\/2457378"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2457375"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2457375"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2457375"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}