Stevens meets with area businesses on impact of coronavirus

Congresswoman Haley Stevens held a virtual townhall with Lakes Area business owners on May 8 to understand the impact of COVID-19 on local businesses.

It’s part of her Listening, Engagement and Action Tour, and was the third virtual business roundtable the congresswoman has hosted. On May 1, she hosted a similar roundtable with small business owners from Milford, Northville and Farmington.

The call was held in partnership with the Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. Typically, discussions are coordinated with local chambers of commerce or other economic development organizations who have a good handle on the local business landscape and can find a representative group of business owners.

“I can only imagine how hard it is for all of you right now, trying to be people that are doing what you’ve always done,” Stevens said. “You’ve devoted your life’s work to these enterprises that you run and to be looking at what we’re looking at with all the uncertainty…is very uncomfortable.”

“I’ve got my notepad out, I’ve got my top lieutenant [District Director Colleen Pobur] and we’re here to listen and see what we can pick up. Every one of these [calls] has been entirely meaningful, and it was particularly important for me to get with all of you in the Lakes Area.”

The variety of participating businesses included restaurants, retailers, occupational therapy and a dance studio, among others.