Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1302793
By starting a Recovery Coaching Program, the team at NewTown Macon has been working with local business owners and nonprofit directors to help them navigate business disruptions they've experienced due to the coronavirus pandemic. "I'm constantly amazed by Maconites' generosity, especially in a crisis," said Josh Rogers, president and CEO of NewTown Macon. "Most of all though, I'm proud of my colleagues for figuring out what NewTown could do to help and putting their hearts, souls and time into providing free support for our businesses." NewTown has been a source of timely and accessible information about state and federal relief programs. "The staff has been available to answer any questions I have had via email and phone," said Felicia Howard, owner and operator of Felicia's Cake Factory. "They also offered a Recovery Coaching Program, which provided valuable information to help our business get through this pandemic, and they've posted links for grants, for which I applied and received funds." NewTown is conducting small group and one-on-one coaching. They developed curriculum, worksheets and videos to help business owners and nonprofit directors adapt their operational strategies to not only ensure financial sustainability, but also ensure they are adapting their business models to remain relevant to their customers and clients. "Business owners and community leaders are overwhelmed already, and working through the overloaded loan relief and unemployment application programs is another huge stressor on them," said Bethany Rogers, director of business and real estate development for NewTown. "We've been condensing all the information related to these programs and sharing practical guides on how to apply through our daily Macon Main Street emails, our COVID-19 resource guide and our weekly video conferences with business owners." Every day NewTown's entire team is available to local businesses to answer their questions – for free – to ensure they survive and reopen. "Since the pandemic really hit home for us a few weeks ago, we have been driven and connected as a team, despite working remotely, to be of the greatest service we can to our small business and nonprofit leaders during these difficult times," Bethany Rogers said. "It's been keeping us going, even on the hard days, and it will keep us going for many more."—Katie Marie O'Neal NewTown Macon 15