Impact to local biz hits $4.4M

COVID-19’s impact on Humboldt County businesses is continuing to grow.

The novel coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 disease, has led to $4,458,598 in lost revenue, 1,014 job losses and nine permanent business closures in the county, according to the most recent economic impact survey conducted by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services.

The revenue loss is even greater when comparing how local businesses were doing last year. According to the survey, business revenue is down $13,125,854 compared to last year.

Since County Health Officer Teresa Frankovich declared a shelter-in-place order on March 20 to curb the spread of the virus, non-essential businesses have quickly closed their doors, essential businesses have begun limiting services, and employees have been laid off or transitioned to working from home.

That order was further strengthened on Monday when Frankovich updated the declaration to restrict the operation of businesses that enhance the quality of life and prohibit short-term rentals, such as hotel rooms and AirBnBs, from being rented to people from outside of the county.

Businesses, nonprofits and employees alike have said the impact to them has been significant and dramatic, and they cannot sustain this state of affairs for too long.

Among them is Bart Lunn, owner of Northcoast Plumbing, who said “the phone calls have definitely fallen off dramatically.”

“They’ve dropped 80% to 90%,” Lunn said.

He “had a couple small jobs already lined up,” but if the pandemic continues for a few more weeks, Lunn said he’ll have no choice but to pursue government assistance.

The survey includes self-reported data from 335 businesses, which members of the county’s Economic Development Department previously said is just a small sample of the total businesses in the county so the actual damage is likely more.

The economic impact survey, which is available at bit.ly/2UBymfb, is open continuously and the county is recommending businesses fill it out on a bi-weekly basis.

SONIA WARAICH — THE TIMES-STANDARD A sign on Stars Hamburger in Eureka states the restaurant will reopen for takeout orders on March 31, after remaining closed for several days after the novel coronavirus began to spread in Humboldt County. More than 300businesses in the county have reported losing $4.4 million in revenue because of COVID-19, according to an economic impact survey conducted by the county.