WE NEED TO DO CONTINGENT PLANNING BECAUSE WE CANNOT BE SURE THAT AN ENTREPRENEURIAL RESURGENCE WILL LEAD US OUT OF THE COVID CRISIS

By N. David Milder

We Need More Than Pollyannaish or Wishful Thinking for Our Downtowns to Recover and Thrive  

We are in the midst of what many observers have called the deepest crisis this nation has faced in many decades. It has been especially injurious to our downtowns because it has necessitated massive social distancing that makes it impossible for so many downtown entities, — e.g., shops, eateries, offices, movie theaters – to function properly or profitably. In this situation, it is …

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How Covid19 Might Impact Our Small Storefront Operators

By N. David Milder

Introduction

While I do not believe that brick and mortar retail will disappear, it was becoming of decreasing strength in many, perhaps even most, of our downtowns before the Covid19 crisis appeared. Their leaders needed to recognize that their district’s vitality was increasingly dependent on the firms and nonprofits engaged in its central social district functions such as restaurants, bars, public spaces, theaters, museums, cinemas, senior and childcare centers, houses of worship, etc.  I also argued strongly that …

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