Mayor Keller Encourages Residents to Support Local Businesses to Ease the Impact of the Coronavirus Outbreak

March 16, 2020

As the City of Albuquerque takes the necessary health precautions to respond to the Coronavirus outbreak, effects on local businesses are at the top of City leaders’ minds and they are encouraging residents to continue to support local businesses, while practicing social distancing. 

“Coronavirus is impacting our community in many ways, and the coming weeks are going to be a tough time in our economy,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “While we practice the necessary precautions like social distancing, it’s vital to find ways to keep supporting local businesses. We’ve created a business resource guide and are looking into ways the City can help with financial support. We also encourage Burqueños to purchase gift cards today to use later, order takeout or delivery from local restaurants, source many of your groceries from local vendors, and make plans to support local businesses when we get through this.”

Federal, state and local governments are working to step in with financial assistance and other policy measures. Until more resources are made available, there also are some small ways that individuals, if they have the means, can help their favorite small businesses stay afloat. Residents can support their local pharmacies, grocery stores, restaurants, and businesses in the following ways:

• Purchase a gift card from your favorite local shop or restaurant.
• Buy Local online and offline – purchase merchandise, look for local ecommerce websites, shop for cookies, salsa, chile, beans, beer, wine and other goods at local businesses.
• Order take-out and delivery from local restaurants and consider tipping more than usual.

“It is important to always remember to support local businesses when we can, but especially in times like these. We know our business community is strong and resilient and the City of Albuquerque Economic Development Department and the Small Business Office is here to assist and support businesses during this time. Our goal is to keep businesses open and employees employed,” said Synthia Jaramillo, Director of Economic Development, City of Albuquerque.

The City of Albuquerque’s Small Business Office, established in September 2019 is meant to serve Albuquerque entrepreneurs and businesses with timely, relevant information and assistance and is available by phone at 505-768-3270 to assist Small Businesses. The Office is a division of the Economic Development Department and is managed by David Sayers.

Beginning today at 9am, New Mexico Health Secretary Kathy Kunkel announced today that all restaurants, bars, breweries, eateries and other food establishments shall operate at no great that 50 percent of maximum occupancy and no greater than 50 percent of seating capacity.

The City of Albuquerque Economic Development Department has put together a guide of tips and resources for businesses and organizations navigating through the Coronavirus that can be found here. The guide also includes links to resources at the State and Federal level. The guide will be regularly updated as more information and resources become available, check back often.