MARSHALL — It’s clear that the local business community has taken a hit from COVID-19, according to the results of a survey from the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce and the Marshall Economic Development Authority. While many say they’re still open in some capacity, businesses are reporting fewer customers and loss of revenue.

A total of 83 businesses completed an online economic impact survey that went live on April 27. The information gathered by the survey will help the Chamber and the EDA plan future programs.

“We understand that every business has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said EDA Director Lauren Deutz. “To give businesses the opportunity to share their stories will help determine how we can best assist.”

“The Chamber team has been reaching out to area businesses to determine COVID-19 impacts,” said Chamber President Brad Gruhot. “The conversations clearly support the data collected in the survey. Businesses know that they have to open with precautions for the safety of their employees and their customers, and businesses have made plans to support those safe operations.”

Responders to the survey came from wide variety of businesses, including agriculture, finance, health care, lodging and travel, retail and food service.

The majority of the survey responders, at nearly 73%, said they are currently open for business in some form. However, many businesses said they have cut back or made changes to their operations due to COVID-19. Over 30% of responders said they have significantly cut back operations, and about 21% of responders said they had shut down all or most of their operations.

Most survey responders said COVID-19 had a negative impact on their business’ sales or revenue, with almost 43% saying they experienced a large negative impact. Businesses said they expected that trend to continue – about 35 % of responders projected continued negative impacts on revenue over the next six months.

While survey responders said issues like shortages of product supplies and workers were having an impact on local businesses during the COVID-19 crisis, the biggest impact they saw was a reduced customer base. About 75% of the responders said customer base was a key factor impacting their business operations. Over half of responders said communicating with customers was an unexpected challenge they face during the pandemic.

About 43% of survey responders said they had reduced hours for employees as a result of COVID-19, while another 15% anticipate they will have to do so.

“We have been communicating with our legislators and the Governor’s office regularly,” said Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes. “The survey data confirms what we have been hearing from our business community and we want to support them, so they are able to serve their customers safely.”

About 73% of survey responders said they had applied for financial assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans, Small Business Emergency Loans, or other programs. Of those who applied, 62% have received funding. A total of 47 responding businesses received assistance from the Paycheck Protection Program, and 13 businesses received Economic Injury Disaster Loans.