Coalition urges Congress to act as survey shows distress among businesses, local governments

A new national survey of public and private sector groups finds that millions of jobs, small businesses and essential government services are at risk if Congress fails to quickly pass another COVID-19 economic relief package.

The survey was conducted by COVID RELIEF NOW, a coalition of nearly 300 major public and private sector groups. The coalition is calling on Congress to immediately pass a bipartisan economic relief package.

The results of the survey show that small businesses, municipalities and counties are experiencing devastating impacts from the COVID pandemic and that direct aid to local governments and small businesses is critical.

Both the public and private sectors have taken a hit from the COVID pandemic, and 91% of respondents say their business or government’s condition will worsen without new aid.

Nearly nine out of 10 respondents indicated that their business, organization or government is worse off now than in January 2020.

Without additional aid or intervention, 95% of business respondents believe their organization or industry will face significant challenges, or will be forced to close its doors.

Nearly three-quarters of local government respondents indicate that their financial health has been negatively impacted by the pandemic, and most will face challenges in providing essential services without additional aid.

The financial health of an organization directly impacts its workforce; 59% of respondents indicated that their business, organization or government has cut the workforce with moderate or significant measures.

COVID RELIEF NOW is calling the pandemic “an economic crisis” that is costing millions of public and private sector jobs. The coalition says businesses and local governments can’t wait for aid.

Coalition steering committee members include the National League of Cities, U.S. Conference of Mayors, National Association of Counties, National Conference for State Legislatures, and National Governors Association.

Private sector members include the National Restaurant Association, National Retail Federation, American Hotel and Lodging Association, International Franchise Association, U.S. Travel Association, Society of Independent Show Organizers, International Council of Shopping Centers, Asian American Hotel Owners Association, American Gaming Association, American Apparel and Footwear Association, Small Business Entrepreneurship Council, and the American Society of Association Executives and Go Live.

• View COVID RELIEF NOW survey analysis (678K PDF)
• Visit Youtube to watch COVID RELIEF NOW’s new 30-second ad calling on Congress to act