WINONA, Minn. – The executive director of the Winona Chamber of Commerce, Christie Ransom, said more local merchants may close due to the coronavirus pandemic unless the Legislature comes to the rescue. The current four-week pause on in-person services is problematic, Ransom said. “Revenues were already immensely down year-to-date,” she said in a KWNO radio interview. “Ending the year without being able to bring people into their establishments is a really hard situation.” A response from the Legislature could take many forms, Ransom said. Both loan forgiveness and tax relief have been suggested in St. Paul, she said. “We’re working hard to put together all of those ideas so when the Legislature convenes in December with the governor that they can hopefully come up with some way to offer relief for these businesses.”
Ransom. Suggests forgivable loans, tax breaks.