SOURCE RIVER WEST - NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT. Paying attention to the needs of Small Businesses in times of COVID-19

Abstract

This report presents the results of the study conducted by SOURCE River West, the Near West Collaborative, and the IUPUI Office of Community Engagement to understand Near West small businesses' emergent needs due to COVID-19. Data was collected between mid-July and September 30, using a survey that reached 62 small businesses combined with seven key informant interviews. Informants included individuals in community partner organizations, Near West community service organizations, and funding partners. SOURCE and the Business Opportunity Advisory Task Force (BOAT) administered the online survey -in English and Spanish- recruiting respondents via Facebook, newsletters, and other social media outlets. SOURCE also committed four individuals to a walk in the neighborhood to reach out to businesses on the Washington Street corridor. They split into two teams, each with one Spanish speaker, visiting primarily Hispanic owned businesses. The first section of this report presents the results of the survey. The second section combines the survey results and interviews in an aggregate summary of the study's main findings. The final section offers an overview of the key informants' recommendations to better address the found needs.