City assisting local businesses with regional marketing campaign, igloos, grants and more
As local businesses continue to navigate the effects of COVID-19 related restrictions and closures, the City of Lone Tree has rolled out various efforts and provided immense support and guidance to help them through these hard times.
“The City of Lone Tree has a strong, collaborative partnership with our business community,” said Mayor Jackie Millet. “Our efforts to date demonstrate the City’s commitment to support our businesses through both prosperous and challenging times.”
The City’s Economic Development Office has assisted dozens of local businesses in obtaining COVID relief through programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Disaster Injury Loans (EDIL), which have resulted in the retention of nearly 2,500 jobs in Lone Tree. In addition, 27 Lone Tree businesses have received grants totaling $169,409 from the Douglas County Small Business Grant Program and another 24 businesses received grants totaling $2,309,126 from the Douglas County Restaurant and Event Venue Impact Grant Program.
“Finding the right type of relief can be overwhelming for businesses who are already stretched thin,” said Jeff Holwell, director of economic development and public affairs. “That’s where we come in. Providing them the most accurate and up to date information on what is currently available and helping them with the applications.”
The City’s Economic Development Office is actively searching for other programs that can help Lone Tree businesses, such as the County’s new COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant program.
In addition, the City launched WinterCheer, a regional campaign to promote eating and shopping in Lone Tree, which has reached nearly 6 million people through print, radio and digital ads, a dedicated webpage, social media, videos, flyers and direct mail. As part of the campaign, the City also partnered with its local restaurants and retailers to promote special Seasonal Savings on an interactive online map to further entice visitors to shop and dine locally.
“We are thankful to have G-Que in Lone Tree where I feel like the City is a partner with us in our business,” said Jason Ganahl, owner of G-Que in Lone Tree. “The City of Lone Tree does a great job supporting their businesses and this campaign is yet another example.”
In November, when indoor dining was closed due to Level Red restrictions, the City also delivered more than 40 specially crafted outdoor igloos to Lone Tree restaurants to help them expand their outdoor dining options.
Lone Tree businesses that would like more information on resources available to them, can click here or contact Jeff Holwell at [email protected].