Here are a few things to pay attention to this week in Alexandria:
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city will receive the city manager’s new $743.5 million fiscal year 2021 budget request on Tuesday.
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local business
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Del Ray’s pottery queen Renee Altman has nearly sold enough of her work to pay next month’s rent.
“Support your local potter and buy your Christmas presents now,” Altman told ALXnow. “Everybody’s worried about the restaurants and there’s other small businesses that also need support, like that yarn shop fibre space, and kiskadee and Silver Parrot and all kinds of places.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has put thousands out of work around the city, but it’s also meant a surge in business for pizza delivery businesses that now need drivers.
Toppers Pizza is currently looking for 10 new delivery drivers to work $4.25 an hour plus $2 per delivery and tips. Like their competitors, Toppers is also offering contact-less service.
Even as Alexandria businesses struggle through the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of them are providing Inova Alexandria Hospital with respirator masks, meals and cupcakes.
“Alexandria Hospital needs these things desperately. If you have them, donate them,” said Mike Dameron, a co-owner of The Garden, which along with Live Oak Restaurant is donating more than 50 meals to Alexandria Hospital on Friday afternoon. “We had to close down The Garden, and we had all of this food left over.”
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Over the last several weeks, the Alexandria Health Department has worked closely with hundreds of businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19.
Rachel Stradling leads the department’s interaction with approximately 860 permitted food establishments in the city, and that’s meant advising them on new rules from Richmond. Her small staff of 10 is also advising Alexandria City Public Schools on their emergency food distribution and helping grocery stores during hours allotted for senior citizen shopping.
City Finalizes Freedom House Purchase — “What happened at 1315 Duke St. had a terrible and lasting impact on America. Freedom House encourages us to speak truth to power and delve deeper to confront the hard, honest truths about race, class and equity in this country.” [City of Alexandria]
The Birchmere Starts GoFundMe Fundraiser For Staff — “As you know, we have had to cancel or postpone all of our shows for the foreseeable future, at least into May. With no shows this means that all of our hourly and tipped workers (kitchen, wait & bar staff) are not getting paid. We have been asked by many fans of The Birchmere if there was a way they can help so we have setup this GoFundMe page for them.” [GoFundMe]
Local small businesses have until the end of the week to file for a grant that could help them retain their workforce during the pandemic.
The Alexandria/Arlington Emergency Layoff Aversion Assistance Program, a state-funded program, aims to save jobs in Alexandria City and Arlington County.
Regional Program Awarding 11 Grants to Local Businesses — “The Governor is authorizing $87,619.00 of funding to the Alexandria/Arlington Regional Workforce Council, through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, for employers eligible to remain open during the COVID-19 emergency. Period of performance is from March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020.” [Twitter]
Beyer to Host 5 p.m. COVID-19 Telephone Town Hall — “I’ll update you on my work to support the public health response and minimize the economic damage, hear from a local public health official, and take your questions.” [Twitter]
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Alexandria has officially entered into the community spread phase of the coronavirus pandemic, according to Dr. Rina Bansal, president of Inova Alexandria Hospital.
That means that direct exposure to the virus can not be traced back to its source.
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City Eases Delivery Restrictions For Restaurants — “To support local business and access to food, effective immediately, the City of Alexandria will suspend enforcement of the following regulations and special use permit conditions that limit hours of operation, deliveries, off-premises alcohol sales, and outdoor sales/dining.” [Zebra]
Governor Urges Small Businesses to Apply For Federal Assistance Loans — “Businesses impacted by COVID-19 can also request to defer the payment of state sales tax due [today], March 20, 2020, for 30 days. When granted, businesses will be able to file no later than April 20, 2020 with a waiver of any penalties.” [Governor’s Office]
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The Alexandria City Council will suspend the city’s dining and transient lodging taxes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
City staff said at an emergency meeting last night (Wednesday) that they will present the Council with legislation to not penalize businesses for not paying their dining tax and/or transient lodging tax, and would then work out a payment plan for missed months at a later date.