Springfield Business Journal_2020-04-06

Hotel industry ‘uprooted’ by Geoff Pickle · gpickle@sbj.net and Kathryn Hardison · khardison@sbj.net The local hotel industry is facing steep losses as travel has nearly screeched to a halt and events are getting canceled amid the coronavirus pandemic. Springfield hotel room revenue last month through March 28 dropped by 42.8% to $6.1 million compared with the same period a year earlier, according to data provided by Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau President and CEO Tracy Kimberlin. March 22-28 room revenue fell by 72.4% to $706,200, compared with the same week last year, he said. $2.00 · SBJ.NET APRIL 6-12, 2020 · VOL. 40, NO. 37 JESSICA ROSA NEW DISCOVERIES Discovery Center of Springfield, led by Executive Director Rob Blevins, currently is operating as a child care facility to help health care workers during the coronavirus pandemic. CARES Act a ‘first step’ for business recovery The $2 trillion U.S. stimulus package includes funds for payroll protection, tax credits by Kathryn Hardison · khardison@sbj.net Business owners inundated by the economic fallout from the coronavirus may see some relief from a $2 tril- lion economic stimulus package that was signed into law in late March. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act includes expanded unemployment benefits, $560 billion for individual cash payments and over $140 bil- lion to the U.S. health care system.  For local business owners, the crux of the act is the $350 billion Paycheck Protection Program created to cover payroll costs for businesses and allow employers to maintain cash flow. Steve Mullins, an economics professor at Drury University, said the $2 trillion package is likely just the tip of the iceberg for the U.S. government’s eco- nomic recovery efforts.  “We have to protect businesses and individuals from the financial repercussions of not having busi- ness for six to eight weeks,” Mullins said. “We don’t really have any choice.” See STIMULUS on page 25 Agencies deal with funding shortages while meeting increased community needs  by Mike Cullinan · mcullinan@sbj.net After closing to the public March 17 due to the corona- virus pandemic, the Discovery Center of Springfield Inc. underwent a rapid transformation in less than a week to continue helping the community in an unprecedented way. The educational science center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, reopened March 23 and is currently operating as a li- censed child care facility. Child care and educational pro- gramming is being offered at least through April at the nonprofit’s 60,000-square-foot building at 438 St. Louis St., said Discovery Center Ex- ecutive Director Rob Blevins. The service is specifically for children of health care work- ers and first responders, he said, adding the center is open 6 a.m-8 p.m. daily. “We can be a backup in case of an emergency and serve our community and do our mission, just in a different way than we’re used to,” Blevins said. Staff worked quickly with the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services to receive the state license and prepare the building for dozens of children, ages 5-14. A daily average of around 100 children were on-site for the first week, Blevins said. Operational costs are running be- tween $5,000 and $6,000 per day, currently covered by donations. “Our No. 1 pri- ority through this is keeping the kids safe,” he said, not- ing all class sizes are 10 or less. The Discovery Center’s quick pivot is part of the ever-changing landscape caused by COVID-19, as non- profits struggle to find stable footing. Fundraising is chal- lenged by canceled or postponed events, while demand See NONPROFITS on page 2 See HOTEL on page 25 Nonprofit s pivot in wake of COVID-19 $5K-$6K Daily operational costs for the Discovery Center child care program Tracy Kimberlin expects city hotel and tax losses to be greater in April.