Town To Survey Vienna Businesses On Coronavirus Impact

VIENNA, VA — The Town of Vienna's economic development office is surveying businesses on the impact of new coronavirus crisis.

The survey, conducted in partnership with the Town Business Liaison Committee and Vienna Business Association, asks about the impacts on staffing, rent payments, creative solutions in response to the state's coronavirus restrictions, The survey results will be shared with the Town Council and town staff, but individual responses will not be made public.

The survey asks about the challenges businesses are facing, such as staffing impacts, temporary or permanent closure, revenue impacts, ability to pay rent and more. Business owners can also share their creative strategies in response to the crisis, as well as relief funding they're applying to.

According to a town statement, business responses will "help inform strategies that may lead to relief programs for businesses in Vienna."

The survey is available through May 15 at viennava.gov/covidbizsurvey. Questions can be directed to the town's economic development manager Natalie Monkou at natalie.monkou@viennava.gov.

Town Council previously approved changes to tax payments aimed at helping residents and businesses. The due date for the first installment of Vienna real estate taxes is moved one month forward to Aug. 28. Penalties and interest fees for late April and May meal tax payments are waived through June 13. The town increased its on-time payment discount from 3 percent to 10 percent.

Fairfax County also extended its first real estate tax payment to Aug. 28. Last week, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors announced a microloan fund to support small business recovery. The Fairfax County Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Fund will provide eligible small businesses up to $20,000 with no interest for critical operating expenses. Businesses must meet certain criteria, including having less than 50 employees at all locations. Applications will open on April 28.

The town government has a webpage for business assistance resources.

Vienna businesses can post in Patch's free directory to let customers know their operating status and how to support them. Over 60 businesses have posted in the directory so far.

Businesses will appear in the directory after filling out our form; information can be edited any time through your form response. We plan to share the information with readers throughout the coronavirus crisis. Business owners who'd like a feature story in the Vienna Patch can contact the editor at Emily.Leayman@patch.com.