The Crookston City Council on Monday night voted unanimously during the Ways & Means Committee meeting to send a letter in support of opening small businesses to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. 
Each council member spoke in favor of a letter supporting the small businesses in Crookston, and Councilman Dylane Klatt noted that when he sees businesses opening up in Grand Forks, it’s the responsibility of the business and people to make sure they are socially distancing.
Crookston Mayor Dale Stainbrook said he thinks opening small businesses can work if everyone follows social distancing to try to stay safe and healthy. “We had a discussion with the council, and we’re giving support to open small businesses in Crookston,” said Stainbrook. “Just a letter to the governor saying – hey, you know, our small businesses need to open. They are unique enough where they would be able to practice social distancing and allow so many people in the store. It’s gone on long enough. They say this is going to go for the next couple of years if you listen to the experts. I think if we just practice social distancing and try to stay safe and healthy, I think it can work.”
Crookston Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Terri Heggie spoke during the open forum of the council meeting earlier in the evening, noting the struggles small businesses are going through. Several of Crookston’s salon owners and operators were also in attendance in support of opening back up.
Heggie highlighted numbers she’d received from the Minnesota Chamber that show travel and tourism is a $16 billion-a-year industry in Minnesota that is currently down 89 percent. Heggie said that while she respected Mayor Stainbrook’s desire to keep the community safe, she believed Crookston should have a plan to open back up. “Your honor, I respect your desire to keep our community safe,” said Heggie. “I wish to have all answers as well when I receive calls from local business owners wondering what are we doing to help get their doors open. By inviting the right partners to the table – local, county, and state government – and business community representatives, could we not put a plan in place to open Crookston’s doors back up.”
Stainbrook said he believes small businesses in Crookston are resilient though he added that he thinks being to reopen is probably a good move. “I think small businesses are pretty resilient,” said Stainbrook. “I think the foot traffic and clientele will come back. It’s going to take some time. It’s hard for everybody. She commented on Walmart and Hugo’s to be able to sell flowers, but our floral shops got to stay closed. I think they offer the services people want, so I think it’s a good move to get everybody moving forward.”
Interim City Administrator said she would get a draft letter to the governor for the Mayor and City Council to review as soon as possible.
Tags:
