The Honorable Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota
130 State Capital
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd
St. Paul, MN 55155
 
Dear Governor Walz,
As you come off the new dial turn, positive signs are on the horizon.  You are armed with vaccines and new financial resources from the federal government.  Plans are being made for return to school and work for large office businesses.
Businesses are now asking, where’s the plan for the next steps of reopening? 
With all the tools in place, it is reasonable to ask, how will you keep moving past the restrictions? 
Businesses have made the economic sacrifices you’ve asked of them: shutting their doors, limiting customers and enduring incredible financial losses.  Some businesses have shut their doors forever and others are teetering on the brink.   They’ve had the gut-wrenching decisions to lay off employees. 
Small businesses in Steele County alone have recorded millions of dollars in losses.  We know this through the applications received by the county economic recovery grant program where $5.3M in requests overshadowed the $715,000 available. 
Summer festivals and events also need a plan.  These events are important community building activities and are important for businesses and non-profits alike.
We understand that a complete victory over Covid can’t be claimed yet, but with vaccines getting to most adults by May, we can see an end is near.  Help our businesses see the path forward to full opening.
Sincerely,
 
Brad Meier
President