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Local Businesses And Organizations Face Murky Economic Outlook With Coronavirus

Brian Bull
/
KLCC

Eugene’s business forecast for 2020 just got hazier, following Governor Brown’s directive to cancel large public gatherings as a precaution against COVID-19.

The Eugene Symphony and Eugene Opera have both canceled or postponed events, and there’s also concern that the Olympic Track and Field Trials could be called off.

All of this hurts local restaurants and shops that depend on revenue from large crowds.

Eugene’s Chamber of Commerce has also canceled or rescheduled events. Brittany Quick-Warner is Chamber President.

Credit Karen Richards / KLCC
/
KLCC
Brittany Quick-Warner, of the Eugene Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s really hard to know right now what the impact’s gonna be," says Chamber President Brittany Quick-Warner.  "I think sometimes that sense of hysteria sends us into a spiral, so we’re trying to avoid that. 

"But we also know that this is unchartered waters, we don’t know what’s going to happen, we don’t know how it’s going to impact the local economy and so we’d rather put people’s health and safety first.”

Quick-Warner says people can still support businesses through gift cards. She encourages people to back non-profits whose fundraising is also being disrupted by coronavirus protocols.

Copyright 2020, KLCC.

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
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