Summerside, PE (January 25, 2022) – PEI’s business community is facing financial hardships as a result of the recent public health restrictions and is in need of further support. A recent poll conducted by the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce of its membership shows gaps in business and employee support programs and a growing sentiment of concern among owners and operators.
“While the Chamber recognizes the need to manage the increase of COVID-19 cases and slow down the chain of transmission, our members are becoming increasingly concerned,” said GSCC President Tyler Kowalski. “Many businesses are stating the business support programs currently in place are not helping bridge the gap throughout this partial lockdown.”
Of those who responded, the poll found that:
- Over 45% of members were severely impacted with almost 20% of those stating they were fully closed
- Over one third of respondents stated they were required to lay off staff as a result of this most recent lockdown
- Two thirds said current business support programs were not adequate given the circumstances
- Members identified the following new supports to help businesses:
- Fixed Expenses Grant
- Covid-19 Sanitation Grant to help professionally clean work/public exposure sites
- Support to help offset the cost of perishable food waste as a result of mandated lockdowns
“While the most recent public health measures aim to blunt the impact that Omicron is having on our public health-care system, we are concerned that if these restrictions continue then many of our hardest hit sectors will suffer long term effects they may not be able to bounce back from,” said Kowalski. “Businesses have been asked to pivot with very short notice leaving little opportunity to plan or prepare.”
The poll was conducted between January 20th and 21st and was open to one respondent per GSCC member business.
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About The Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce
Established in 1900, the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce is a volunteer organization made up of business and professional people sharing a common goal — the economic development of the Greater Summerside area. Small and large businesses from virtually every sector and profession form the membership.