Albany EDC President discusses pandemic impact on local economy

(ALBANY, GA) – With more businesses beginning to re-open their doors in Georgia, local owners and their employees are trying to return to normal.

The Albany Economic Development Commission says that any damage to the local economy isn’t quantifiable yet.

“We have worked with the Albany Area Chamber and our regional partners to help to deploy a survey that will help us better understand some of the impacts the businesses are having as a result of the virus. And then we hope to take that and advocate for that at local, state and the national levels,” says Interim EDC President, Matt Reed.

The EDC says that for many of the larger employers, such as P&G and Miller-Coors have been able to protect their employees while making sure they try to meet the higher demand.

Reed says, “While they’re doing that, they’re also taking a lot of precautions and making adjustments to shift rotations. They’re ramping up sanitation measures, taking employees temperatures upon arrival, and enforcing social distancing.”

As businesses such as restaurants and movie theaters work towards bringing people back through their doors, the EDC is hoping that all businesses are making sure to follow proper sanitation to avoid a second wave of Coronavirus cases.

“If business cannot be conducted safely, we encourage businesses to delay opening until they’re more confident. And on the consumer side, we are encouraging, obviously for folks to support local businesses in any way possible,” says Reed.

For more information about re-opening criteria, Reed suggests visiting the Albany Area Chamber’s COVID-19 Resource Page at albanyga.com.