Business Impact Survey of COVID-19, Sioux Lookout

Please participate in this survey, delivered in response to COVID-19

This survey has been designed in conjunction with the Patricia Area Community Endeavors (PACE) and the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines to further assist local businesses here in Sioux Lookout.

The results will identify specific operational areas that businesses are struggling to cope with during the COVID-19 pandemic and introduce solutions that can help alleviate the economic downturn that businesses are experiencing.

A similar survey is being conducted in Kenora to gather information to share with all levels of government to assist in identifying the impacts of COVID-19 in Northern Ontario.

Your participation would be greatly appreciated as we begin to collect and analyze vital data to help local businesses stay viable.

Sincerely,

Vicki Blanchard, Economic Development Manager
Municipality of Sioux Lookout

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* 1. What is the current operating status of your business?

Open

Open, with reduced hours

Open, with modified functions

Temporarily closed

Permanently closed

Other (please specify)

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* 2. If your business is open, what have you done to adapt? Use the space below to provide an answer. (ie: offer take out only, delivery service, online sales, shipping through third party, etc.)

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* 3. What impacts from COVID-19 is your business seeing? Select all that apply.

We are seeing a drop in revenue or business

We are seeing staff absences due to voluntary/mandatory self-quarantine

We are seeing staff absences because we are encouraging staff to work from home – but staff are still working

We are seeing staff absences because they must look after children (whose schools are closed) or after a loved one who is ill

We are seeing disruptions in the services/supplies/materials we depend on to run a successful business

We are unable to move or ship our goods due to interrupted supply chains

We are seeing a decrease in demand for products or services

We are seeing an increase in demand for products or services

Heightened public fear/caution is causing customers to avoid our location or services

No impact

N/A - Business is not operating

Other (please specify)

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* 4. What near-term impacts on your business do you predict? Select all that apply.

Decreased revenue

There is a risk we will go out of business if revenues continue to trend downward

Operational efficiency will be reduced which may affect our viability/sustainability

We will see increased/significant staff absences

We will have to lay off staff due to economic uncertainty or unstable revenues

We will have to temporarily shut down our business by choice

We will have to temporarily shut down our business due to government enforcement

No measures taken

N/A - business is not operating

Other (please specify)

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* 5. Please indicate what fall in revenue you expect during this crisis, provide a percentage using the scale below.

100

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 6. What measures has your business taken due to COVID-19? Select all that apply.

We have asked employees to work from home

We have required employees to work from home

We’ve reduced hours of operation

We’ve closed our business temporarily

We’ve increased cleaning and sanitation in our offices/facility

We've modified our service delivery

No measures taken

N/A - business is not operating

Other (please specify)

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* 7. What types of assistance would be of most benefit to your business? Please check your top 5. If you have suggestions for specific subsidies or activities, please provide feedback under Other.

Reduced interest rates

Business counselling

Delayed municipal property tax payments without penalty

Banks/lending institutions offering zero interest loans, loan guarantees, or lines of credit

Greater economic stimulus funding ie. strategic infrastructure investment, business improvement grants, etc.

Suspension of loan payments

Provision of payroll tax breaks

General tax credits and cuts

Creation of resources for employees who must self-isolate

Provision of resources for employees that will get laid off

Access to webinars and resources to help with future business functions

Assistance with applications to access business supports including government programs

Other (please specify)

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* 8. Please answer the following questions about workforce:

How many people were employed with you prior to COVID-19?

How many people are employed with you now?

How many staff are working remotely?

How many staff are unable to work remotely?

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* 9. Please answer the following questions about finance:

Do you have standing lines of credit to help bridge this business interruption?

How many weeks of a business slow down or shutdown would you estimate your business could survive before closing?

How many days of a business slow down or shutdown would you estimate your business could survive before closing?

Have you contacted your bank about a bridge loan or other financing?

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* 10. Is there a thought, concern, or action you would like to share or suggest?

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* 11. Please provide us with your contact, so future information and resources can be shared with you. All responses will be held in confidence.

Name

Business Name

City/Town

Email Address

Phone Number