TAMPA, Fla. — The global COVID-19 pandemic has sent devastating shock waves through the American small business ecosystem, and local companies in Tampa are struggling to keep their doors open.
Enter “#TampaTogether”: A new social media campaign launching at 5 p.m. Thursday to spread awareness in the digital space about how Tampanians can help local businesses survive the crisis.
Three locals, including Christina Weaver of The Women’s Creative, is encouraging small businesses to use the hashtag #TampaTogether and post on the corresponding Facebook page to with ways the community can help them through these difficult times.
"If we saw all of these little places in our neighborhoods closed, it would completely change our lifestyle, and also our neighbors' lifestyle, because many times these business owners are our neighbors, our friends, our families,” said Weaver.
Small businesses are big backbones for local communities, but right now they're struggling.
A new report from payroll processing company ADP said in March, companies with 49 workers or less cut 90,000 jobs. ADP added those numbers do not reflect the full impact of COVID-19.
The $2 trillion CARES Act President Trump recently signed into law will help some companies with loans, but businesses need help from the people who can patronize them now if they're going to stay afloat.
"We're hoping that...using a hashtag, using a Facebook group, using also your social media channels, personally as a business, that will help bring everybody together, but also give these small businesses more of a voice,” said Weaver.
For more information about #TampaTogether, click here.
Emerald Morrow is a reporter with 10News WTSP. Like her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter. You can also email her at emorrow@wtsp.com.
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