Post Date: 04/01/2020 5:00 PM

This survey is open until April 3; it is one in a series of planned business surveys

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki and City Economic Development Director Jeff Flynn today urged City business owners to complete a state survey that is helping government assess the impact of COVID-19 on business operations in Wilmington and across the state of Delaware. If you own a business of any kind, you are urged to participate.



Flynn said the survey takes about five minutes to complete and the responses are confidential. He said even if a business responded to a previous state survey, they are encouraged to complete this current survey also, so officials have a better understanding of how conditions have changed in the past few weeks.



>> TAKE THE SURVEY <<



The aggregate results of this survey will be used to inform local and state elected officials, government agencies, and others of the economic and human impact of the COVID-19 virus. These surveys are part of a national effort by local economic development organizations and chambers of commerce to assist businesses. It will be conducted several times because circumstances related to COVID 19 are changing quickly.



Mayor Purzycki and Director Flynn said the local contact for businesses is DaWayne Sims, Small & Minority Business Development Manager for the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, who can be reached at (302) 576-2127 (office), (302) 545-1812 (mobile) or via email at dsims@WilmingtonDE.gov.



A previous business survey, in which 320 employers/businesses participated, was conducted March 20 through 24. Responses were well distributed geographically within the state and all key Delaware industry sectors were represented. Key findings from that survey include:



- The Accommodation and Food Services industry accounted for about ¼ of the job losses among survey respondents, but other local services industries like Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Retail Trade; and Other Services also had notable job losses.



- The Health Care sector also reported job losses among chiropractors, physical therapists, dental and eye care.



- 72% of respondents indicated that their revenue has decreased, with revenues down across all industries. More than 90% of Accommodation and Food Services respondents saw revenue declines of more than 70%. Finance and Insurance; Information; Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services; Real Estate; and Construction reported decreases in the 20-50% range.



- On average, respondents indicated they could survive the current business slowdown/closure for about 13 weeks. However, this average includes some larger companies that could weather the slowdown much longer, as well as small businesses that could only survive a few weeks.



- 54% of respondents indicated that they do not have standing lines of credit to help bridge this business slowdown. Chief among the top concerns expressed by respondents was access to capital. Respondents also expressed a fear of recession and decreased consumer confidence and spending.

COMMUNITY AND MEDIA INQUIRIES :

John Rago

Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Communications

Mobile: (302) 420-7928

Email: jrago@WilmingtonDE.gov