Local Business and Economic Development
The Spot on Kirk had just booked its busiest two-month stretch ever says operator Bruce Bryan – before COVID-19 and social distancing mandates led to the music venue’s public closure. But for now, The Spot is livestreaming concerts on Sunday nights, including this Sunday at 7 with Betsy Kelderhouse. Bryan says there is a Pay-Pal link if those logging on via Facebook or The Spot on Kirk website want to make a voluntary donation. He also says so far sponsors of the intimate music venue have been supportive.
Yokohama is temporarily suspending tire production at its Salem plant, effective Sunday. The company says it is the result of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact, and the shutdown is expected to last for two weeks. Yokohama’s news release says the entire facility will undergo sterilization and decontamination measures while production is idled.
NEWS RELEASE: SANTA ANA, CA – (Apr. 3, 2020) – Due to the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Yokohama Corporation of North America (YCNA) announced today it is temporarily suspending production at its plant in Salem, Virginia. The controlled shutdown at Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Virginia (YTMV) goes into effect on April 5 and is expected to last for two weeks.
YTMV produces passenger and light truck tires and is committed to the health and safety of plant employees, as well as the community. Several preventative measures to help stem the spread of COVID-19 are in effect at all company facilities.
Yokohama’s supply position remains strong with no forecasted disruptions in the company’s ability to serve customers.
To ensure the health and safety of all personnel upon their return, the YTMV facility will undergo sterilization and decontamination measures while production is idled.
It remains to be seen what the fallout for the global economy will be after the COVID-19 pandemic passes. We asked a local economics professor to give his best estimate, as WFIR’s Ian Price reports:
Beth Bell Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce
Roanoke Valley Businesses are adapting their business models in reaction to the pandemic – restaurants are selling groceries, offering family meal deals to go and others are selling produce directly to end users with local schools shutdown. Some are going virtual – even those who teach musical instruments or give singing lessons. Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce executive director Beth Bell was live on the phone with us this morning. Hear the complete conversation with Bell below:
A Franklin County native who is now Government Affairs Director for Gentry Locke’s Richmond office says it is essential in these times for businesses to communicate clearly to their employees — and their customers. Matthew Moran says economic conditions being what they are, a business’s margin of error is all that much tighter, and communication become all that much more important. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones:
You may already be doing it, ordering takeout or delivery from restaurants with their dining rooms shut down due to COVID-19 precautions – but now its an official event through Sunday during “Virginia is for Restaurant Lovers Takeout week.” More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
In the wake of COVID-19, the Roanoke Regional Partnership is asking local governments, Chambers of Commerce and other organizations to share the information it sends out on economic development and business support to their constituents via social media channels. The Partnership has also launched a new information clearinghouse website – RoanokeRegionResponds.com. The website features a survey about how the coronavirus has impacted workplaces – and about any obstacles to teleworking. Roanoke Regional Partnership executive director Beth Doughty: