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Alpena County launches task force to keep local businesses afloat amid coronavirus outbreak

ALPENA, Mich. — With the coronavirus drastically impacting establishments across the country and altering income, a local task force is being created to keep*local businesses afloat.

Alpena County emergency eervices coordinator, Mark Hall, and other economic development representatives will serve on a task force to connect local business owners with available resources. President and CEO of the Alpena Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Mary Beth Stutzman, says the whole area will begin to be impacted if local businesses are suffering.

“Our local economic base is struggling. We need to help them. That is part of our foundation. So we’re here as one of a handful of community economic development organizations to come together at this time and help our local business owners navigate these strange, strange times.”

Because Alpena is home to so many small businesses, Stutzman says, these establishments failing would result in fewer jobs, fewer activity and shopping options, and a generally reduced quality of life.

The task force has already created the Alpena Area COVID19 Business Resources Facebook page to provide local business owners with links to assistance. A master list of local businesses is currently being compiled to obtain consideration for resources. If you would like your business added to that list, you can email marybeth@visitalpena.com.

We will keep you updated as more details become available about the task force and resources.