Immediate business relief is needed, says Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION)

"I think there is a lot of anxiety right now, because it has been so much so quick. It has been a whiplash."

Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce CEO Frank Geisler says small businesses need help immediately. While there are no official numbers yet, he believes one in three businesses on the Monterey Peninsula have already either been shut down or "damaged" during Monterey County's "shelter in place" and California's "stay at home" orders.

Geisler is frustrated with Washington, saying this is not the time for Congress to play politics. However, despite saying there seemed to be no "action plan" locally, he calls conversations with city and county leaders positive. He has been speaking with them, and the state, about forms of tax and rent relief, and the business have been asking about rental protections for their employees - something many local cities have now passed. People can apply for Small Business Administration loans, but Geisler says more immediate relief is necessary.

"SBA is going to take 45 to 50 days if your application is complete today. That's not immediate. Businesses will need immediate funding in some cases, so that's why we ask to have some sort of relief immediately."

Geisler tells KION more will be known on Tuesday after the Chamber meets with local business leaders, but it is clear hospitality and tourism has taken a major hit. People are only able to leave their home for "essential" activities and there is isn't exactly a lot of people traveling anywhere.

The Monterey County Health Department has removed the midnight April 8 end date for the "shelter-in-place" order to align with the open-ended order issued by Governor Gavin Newsom. Geisler says many businesses are going into reserves they fortunately saved, but eventually the COVID-19 shutdown will take a larger toll.

"Some business will probably have three to four months of operating revenues. If it goes beyond that, that's when you can see some serious damage. On the other side, you may have some people who need immediate relief tomorrow or the next week."

Geisler offers a grim warning for the future: "I think its going to be different. I think you will see a lot of small businesses that will disappear. And you will see another set of players."

However, in our conversation, he tries to finish as positively as he can.

"[We are] a little more connected. That's the paradigm shift that I see, is more people are now helping each other, being aware of social distancing guidelines, maybe a little more spirituality, not in terms of religion, but between people. I've observed lot more candor in helping each other in the last week - both in grocery stores and people in my neighborhood - being nice and attentive. This is very important . This is change. There is a focus on our community, our neighborhood, our business area, rather than maybe a little too much greed or focus on productivity. [There is] A philosophical difference. I hope this continues.

The Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with the City of Monterey to create a "business action and economic recovery team." Their page includes advice on what employers should be doing during the COVID-19 pandemic and how businesses can apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans.