Updates and Opening Safely for Small Businesses

Gheez ....hope this group is still running on-track here in downtown Mesa

A few articles to help guide your business, Re-Open Safely! The following resources give tips to help small businesses re-open safely and with a plan for action.  Main Street America - has six elements to consider as operating practices for small businesses. It includes tips like keeping your online presence and how to create a safe work environment. streetsense - has a relaunch tool-kit for restaurants & bars. It includes guidance on preparing a capital plan for a relaunch as well as how to engage your customers in our new norm. National Restaurant Association - Has many guides on how to re-open your restaurant safely; it includes the recovery blueprint as well as a business continuity plan: 10 steps to take now. Governor Ducey - has given guidance for restaurants, coffee shops, barbershops, and cosmetologists on how guidelines to re-open safely. Clickhere for the guidelines for barbershops/cosmetologists Para más información en Español, sobre las normas que emite el Gobernador Ducey, oprima aquí para leer un articulo escrito por el Canal 12.   Small Business Highlight If you recognize this corner, you know about Pedrito's Mexican Food, sitting on the southeast corner of Main Street and Country Club, this small business, like many others has been doing their part to stay open during the COVID-19 pandemic. We want to highlight and congratulate Pedrito's Mexican Food for being one of the recipients of the LISC & Verizon #Payitforwardlive grant opportunity of $10,000. With help from RAIL, Pedro Contreras filled out the grant application in his native language, Spanish. RAIL is beyond excited for this small business to get the assistance needed to keep his doors open! To read more about the opportunity, check out Local Initiative Support Corporation's (LISC) website, here Awesome News Alert! Let us give a virtual high five to some things happening around our community: Mesa Artspace Loft Artists showing us the good side of staying at home! Therosia Reynolds created a drive-by art show in the art gallery within the complex, the best part, you can stay in your car and drive by to check it out!  Mesa Launches a campaign to support small businesses! Mesa Family Takeout Night happens every Wednesday starting May 6th and runs until July. You and your family can enjoy a meal for 4 for $44!  Tempe joins forces with a local credit union to provide small business loans. Read about the partnership here RAIL's Upcoming Events RAIL has partnered with Trellis AZ, Phoenix Local Organizing Committee, International Rescue Committee to bring you a three-part series to learn about the KIVA loan product. We take you through this three-part series where we will cover in detail what a Kiva Loan is, your cash flow strategy to understand what you need the funding for and how to craft your story in order to present to those who will invest in your venture. The topics include: - Interest-Free Funding with Kiva - Covid-19 Cash Flow Strategy -Crafting Your Story Join us for our one hour sessions and learn how easy it can be to get zero percent funding for your small business! Sessions: Friday, May 1st, 2020 (check out the recording here) Friday, May 8th, 2020 Friday, May 15th, 2020 Time: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM ZOOM CALL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83873468618 CALL-IN: (346) 248-7799 US MEETING ID: 838 7346 8618