May 27, 2020 - Klamath Falls Downtown Association (KFDA) announced today that this summer’s Third Thursday street fair series has been canceled due to restrictions on public gatherings that are expected to remain in place throughout the summer. The organization is, however, proceeding with plans for other activities and events that could be appropriately produced given the restrictions.
 
“We are of course disappointed that one of the community’s most popular annual events is not going to take place this summer, but guidance from the state indicates that large gatherings will be limited at least through September. In the past couple seasons, average attendance at Third Thursday has been around four to five thousand with nearly 100 vendors. At that scale, our board couldn’t see a viable path to successfully producing the event this summer, even if restrictions are relaxed ahead of schedule,” said KFDA Executive Director Darin Rutledge. KFDA has already received some vendor applications for the event and will be working with those vendors to offer refunds for prepaid vendor fees.
 
In light of restrictions on the size of public gatherings, the organization is working on plans for smaller events throughout the summer, including a revamped version of its popular live music series at Sugarman’s Corner. “Downtown is a gathering place – that’s a big part of what makes it special. With Third Thursday not an option this summer, we want to continue to be creative in providing opportunities for people to gather and to showcase our downtown businesses and amenities. This summer that’s just going to look a little different as we adapt to provide options for people to get together safely and responsibly with respect to the public health concerns that we’re currently facing,” said Rutledge.  KFDA will also expand its collaboration with community partners to produce summer events as a way to share resources and highlight other community organizations who have been extremely limited in their ability to operate the past couple months. As an example, KFDA plans to continue its partnership with Klamath Folk Alliance to schedule performers for live music events.
 
Announcements and information are shared through KFDA’s website at www.downtownklamathfalls.org, through its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DowntownKFalls, and through an electronic newsletter (visitors can sign up on the website).
 
KFDA provides its events and programs largely through sponsorships and annual contributions from its members, and recognizes the following “Champion” and “Promoter” level sponsors for their generous ongoing support: Klamath Insurance Center, Amerititle, Oregon Tech, Fisher Nicholson Realty, KLAD 92.5 FM, Pacific Power, KCEDA, SmithBates, Discover Klamath, Thai Orchid, NIS Labs, Holiday Market, Rodeos Pizza & Saladeria, The Residences at 621, and Bell Hardware.
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Darin Rutledge, Executive Director
Klamath Falls Downtown Association

Governor Brown and President Trump both recently released initial frameworks for reopening Oregon's and America's economy (you can click on the images below to see the details of what was released). The plans at both levels are still being fleshed out, but here's what we know so far, at least for the Oregon framework:

• Medical evidence will guide the timeline. Each "gate" will include certifications from medical experts, and/or metrics related to epidemiological data.
• The framework for Oregon will be gated, meaning that some restrictions will be eased followed by a period of monitoring. Then additional restrictions will be eased, followed by monitoring. This gradual cycle will assure that a spike in cases, for example, doesn't stress our healthcare system, and that we are able to proactively take steps (such as moving back to the last gate) should it be necessary.
• There are several working groups, task forces, etc. working with the Governor's staff to set the groundwork for specific business types (yes, business representatives from our region are participating in those discussions). Further, the Governor's office has demonstrated thus far that local leaders will have a voice in the process.
• For Oregon, the timeline may be different county-by-county (the basic framework will remain, but localized metrics will be used).
• It won't be back to "business as usual" right off the bat. Reopening will take place gradually, and likely be by industry sector.
• Masks, physical distancing, etc., will still be a part of our daily lives even after we begin reopening the economy.

UPDATE 4/29: We found a very cool resource for some strategies and ideas you should think about while considering how to reopen your business. Check out the information below, then visit Reopen Main Street for some other great ideas!

With the framework in place and conversations ongoing, it is likely within the next few weeks we'll see tangible activity toward reopening the economy. With that said, we want to make sure you are starting to think about your plans for reopening. Specifically, here are some areas you should be thinking about.

• What's your "reopen date"? You're right, that's impossible to predict right now. But bear with us for a moment. Based on what you know now, pick a date when you believe that your business may be able to reopen (or, a date you are HOPEFUL your business can reopen - just be realistic). Call this date your "reopen date". This is just a planning date for now; it will likely change in the coming weeks as more information becomes available and statewide plans become more detailed. It's a target though - it will be important for the rest of these steps.

 

• Get management tools in place. Make sure your financials and other important decisionmaking tools for your business are in order and up to date. Even for seasoned businesses, the rest of 2020 is will not look like what you normally expect even after you reopen. The only way to be prepared to make appropriate adjustments is to constantly monitor your finances and other variables in your business. More importantly, this information will inform your financial and time risk tolerances, which will be important for some of the following step. (Make sure any new loans, contracts, federal programs, vendor changes, etc. are accounted for).

 

• Plan. Evaluate all the things you will need to do to reopen (restock inventory, restart utilities, advertise, rehire/train staff, put together a COVID-19 management plan, etc.). Map these timelines and then apply them to a calendar starting from your "reopen date" and going backward. You might find that it's time to start on some of those things now! If nothing else, you'll know when you need to start on these tasks be ready for your reopen date. Also, do you have flexibility? If your plan says to restock inventory now and your planned reopen date is actually two weeks later than you projected, how will that impact your business? Conversely, what if you wait to restock until it's too late? What is the lost opportunity cost?

 

• Rehearse. What does the first week of "reopening" look like for your business? Remember, the guidelines - at least early on - will likely limit your capacity during a time when you're likely to get overrun with Customers. How will you manage that both in terms of public health, and making sure you are able to serve as many of those Customers as possible?

 

• Get the word out. With thousands of local residents just itching to get out of their house and anxious to support our small businesses, how are you making sure they will stop at your business on day one? Here's a quick checklist:
  • Make sure your digital channels are up to date. Facebook and other social media platforms have experienced unprecedented usage and engagement since the pandemic started. Customers should be able to quickly and easily find your current hours of operation and any modifications currently in place, and should be hearing about your plans for reopening now. What have you been doing during the disruption to make your business even more exciting for your Customers?
  • You may have either consciously cut your marketing budget or simply stopped or held off on some marketing projects thinking it wouldn't be effective. Now's the time to make sure your business is top of mind as people start putting together their itinerary of post-COVID outings. For a professional perspective on why this is important, here's some information from Scott Allen, General Sales Manager for Basin Mediactive (which includes KFDA Champion member KLAD-FM)

 

• What can you do right now? We know that many of you have been plenty busy since this started. But now that you've had a chance to get your feet under you, are there some things you could be doing to put your business in the best possible shape to hit your reopen date in stride? Here are some ideas:
  • Do you have the resources to do that renovation project you've been putting off because it would have required you to close your business?
  • Could you or your staff benefit from building skills related to the products/services you sell, customer service, or the technical products that your business uses?
  • One thing that would be easy to overlook: Many of our locally-owned small businesses trade products and services with each other. Recognize that all of them (and even your out-of-town vendors or suppliers) will be going through this process for their own business, and contact them early to determine how that might impact your plans. Will they be able to meet your inventory needs if everyone else starts restocking their inventory at the same time? Will you be at the top or bottom of the list to get that HVAC tech out to look at your air conditioner?
  • Shore up other areas of your business. For some, this has been a reminder of why they instilled a certain level of discipline in their business. And for others, they were caught off guard and frankly, learned some lessons the hard way. There is exactly zero value in the "I told you so" game, and shame on anyone who is making you feel that way about your business. But there is significant value in assessing the blind spots that this disruption has uncovered in your business and using that information to grow as a business owner. Use this opportunity to document and implement new policies, hire a bookkeeper, restructure contracts, etc. If you're not sure where to start or would like some help, there are plenty of resources locally. Start with KlamathIDEA.org, or register with the Klamath Community Small Business Development Center for free, professional, confidential business advice.

We are continuously scanning fo resources additional resources that would be helpful to our small businesses as they consider reopening. For example, restaurants and bars should visit this Relaunch Toolkit for Restaurants + Bars from Streetsense. We've added this link to our Business Resilience page, and will provide access to additional resources when they become available. ​

Scott Allen, General Sales Manager
Basin Mediactive

Local Radio Advertising right now - Hit the brakes or mash on the accelerator?  The answer depends on where you want to be when life returns to normal. One popular adage says, “When times are good you should advertise. When times are bad you must advertise.” 

There are several reasons that advertising is important during times of crisis. I’ll share a couple here.

Probably most important is to project an image of stability to our customers. Peace is the most valuable thing we can offer to customers during times of great uncertainty. It is helpful to let people know what’s changing in our business and why. Customers need us to explain how to do business with us in the new environment. We shouldn’t abandon them to figure things out on their own. If we do, they’ll quickly find another business who is reaching out to them. When normal comes back that will be where they stay. If you want to come out of this with your customer base intact you should talk to a marketing professional about you messaging and about how to advertise in this environment.

When businesses cut back on or eliminate their advertising, the brand loses its “share of mind” with consumers, with the potential of losing current – and possibly future – sales. An increase in “share of voice” typically leads to in an increase in “share of market.” An increase in market share results, with an increase in profits. Accept the fact that the profit will almost certainly come at the end of this crisis. That may also be the time that you need it most. Good advertising will improve how you come out of this. There is no better position than 1st when it comes to the battle for “share of mind”. When you advertise thru a crisis and make improving position a priority. Good advertising will improve how you come out of this.

No sales pitch here but you need to know that local radio is the best way to communicate with your customers right now. Local radio has a connection with our community and your customers that no other medium can match. Local radio stations have personal relationships with your customers…even more personal than your relationship with your customers. We can keep you connected to them at a time when they need you and you need them most.
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It is unlikely that any of us are going to come out of this better than we went in. Things are going to be tough but if we continue to talk to our customers along the way there is a 100% chance, we’ll come out of it together. For our customers and listeners sake we’re going to get on the accelerator.

March 13, 2020 - KFDA held its March Monthly Network meeting this past Wednesday at the South Portal building at 205 Riverside Drive. Attendees heard two presentations from local organization leaders. Following is a summary of those presentations. 

Klamath Basin Youth Without Borders

Klamath Basin Youth Without Borders (KBYWB) is a local youth organization that strives to introduce local teens to other cultures through travel and participation in service projects tied to Habitat for Humanity's "Global Village" program. 

Taylor Hampton, KBYWB president, provided an overview of the organization and presented a plan for an upcoming service project that would involve Downtown businesses. The project, slated for this coming fall, would consist of a scavenger hunt in the Downtown area, with the goal of introducing local teens to our Downtown and assisting them in their efforts to travel abroad.  An overview of the plan (distributed at the meeting) is available below. KFDA will coordinate KBYWB as the planning progresses to connect Downtown businesses with the opportunity to participate. 

Klamath Falls Police Department

City of Klamath Falls Police Chief David Henslee met with the group to discuss a variety of items related to public safety. Prior to the presentation, KFDA President Nic Phair thanked Chief Henslee for his service to Klamath Falls and once again recognized him as the 2017 recipient of the IHeartKFalls award, an annual award given to a local citizen who exemplifies the IHeartKFalls spirit in their community work (Chief Henslee was presented with the customary Hydroflask bottle when the award was presented, but KFDA in 2018 began awarding an additional crystal award for display. To maintain consistency and solidify the IHeartKFalls as a perennial award, KFDA retroactively had a crystal award prepared for the award's inaugural recipient).

Given the Downtown-specific audience, Chief Henslee reported some crime data for Downtown that is very encouraging. Of particular interest, calls for service related to crime in the Downtown area have decreased by 59%. Additionally, he reported that those calls for service are now more frequently officer-initiated than reported by the public, which is a reversal of past trends. He did recognize that, although the rate of crime has decreased, there are still "hotspots" where some Downtown visitors continue to disregard the expectations of acceptable social behavior, or are flat out violating the law. In a continued effort to bolster his department's toolbox, he outlined some new City ordinances that are in the process of being developed: 

• Unlawful Camping - while a recent 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision does not allow local jurisdictions to criminalize simply being present in a public place for a prolonged period, Chief Henslee was interested in an ordinance from Salem aimed at discouraging "camping" in public spaces. The new ordinance would make it a misdemeanor to leave personal belongings (such as tents, sleeping bags, etc.) in a public space while not attended. It would also authorize law enforcement to dispose of those belongings, provided they are not of significant value (and would require any items of value to be held by law enforcement agencies for pickup by the owner). Chief Henslee, well aware of the sweeping nature of this change for many people, has already been working with his officers to educate people as they interact local individuals who are likely to be impacted. Chief Henslee also noted that this ordinance would not apply to private property, only public spaces. He also noted that City Parks are currently governed by operating hours, and would be handled differently. Individuals who are in parks after they are closed face a potential trespassing violation. He also noted that, even if someone remains with their personal belongings, they may not stake out a spot on public property in a way that hinders pedestrian traffic or violates other laws. 
• Shopping Carts - Another ordinance that is being developed would make it a misdemeanor to possess a shopping cart from any of the local stores that provide them as a convenience to be used on their property. While it is currently unlawful to remove a shopping cart from these stores, the new ordinance would add some "teeth" in terms of enforcement. First, it would require law enforcement to enforce the violation. Additionally, it would require the stores to not only post the new ordinance on their premises, but also to pick up any of their shopping carts that are discovered through enforcement activity. Violations of any of the provisions of the ordinance would be a misdemeanor criminal offense. Chief Henslee mentioned that he has consulted with all the impacted businesses, and they are completely supportive of this initiative. 

The new ordinances will be presented to City Council for deliberation in the next few months.

Also discussed was the changing perception in the Downtown area related to the anti-social behavior displayed by a small number of Downtown regulars. There have been reports of some uncomfortable - and frankly, down right rude - interactions with these people, and Chief Henslee wants to make sure that Downtown stakeholders know how they can prevent these interactions and what to do if they occur. First, it is important that businesses and property owners aren't inviting these people to their premises. There are several Downtown businesses who provide free snacks, coffee, or ice water to their customers which attracts non-customers, some of whom may be the same individuals displaying anti-social behaviors. Chief Henslee recommends that, if your business offers this to customers as a convenience or a "perk", it should not be available in a common area to simply anyone who walks in. Additionally, make sure that your premises are well lit (especially in less commonly used building exposures) and that you don't have any alcoves or hidden areas that would encourage someone to sit for long periods of time or worse, provide a hidden place for illegal activity. If possible, security cameras are also an effective deterrent and can be helpful in investigating any incidents at surrounding properties. 

Chief Henslee also recommends that people use everyday common sense when walking in the Downtown area - don't walk alone, use some type of light if walking after dark, always have a cell phone with you, etc. And finally, should you witness any illegal activity or face a confrontation that makes you uncomfortable in any way, dial 911. Chief Henslee emphasized that his department now has tools in place (for example, the Enhanced Law Enforcement Area and a contract with the Klamath County Jail) that allows them to, in some cases, make an arrest and transport individuals who don't want to follow the law. "The only way we can do anything is if we hear about it. It's simple - dial 911". 

It was also noted that, given the recent spring-like weather, he has restarted the seasonal foot patrols in the Downtown area, as the activity described above tends to pick up with better weather. Chief Henslee indicated that his officers have certain metrics to meet with respect to contact with businesses, and asked in return that Downtown employees make an effort to contact his officers when they walk by even if it means, "running to the door and going outside to catch them and say 'hi' or 'thank you'!"

In closing his presentation, Chief Henslee thanked the residents and businesses in Klamath Falls and Downtown specifically for being vigilant in helping his department. "It's a community effort, and you are all a part of the team. I can see the pride in this community, and I thank you for making it such a great place."

KFDA's next Monthly Network Meeting will be April 8. Visit our Facebook page regularly for details. 

With Third Thursday coming up, have you thought about how your business can take advantage of such a huge promotional opportunity? Brick and mortar businesses that keep their doors open for Third Thursday have a unique opportunity to introduce themselves to thousands of people, demonstrate their downtown and community support, and even ring the cash register! Simply put, if you are located on or near Main St., you'll have about 4,000 people walking right past your door during Third Thursday. Many of these people don’t regularly spend time downtown – what a great chance to introduce them to what downtown has to offer!

We’ve heard from a handful of businesses that large events that draw people downtown often result in hearing, “I never even knew our downtown had a store like this!” If you could increase the exposure of your business and spread your brand awareness that easily, wouldn’t it be good for your business?
 
Even if you don’t significantly increase sales during the event, the opportunity to introduce your business to thousands of people can pay off in the long run. We encourage you to show off your storefront during Third Thursday – here are a few ideas to help you connect to these potential customers:

• Set up a table outside your business with brochures, business cards, or even a coupon to encourage customers to return (if you produce a specific Third Thursday offer, you can track how effective it is).
• Literally keep your door open and have live music, free cold drinks, or another attraction inside to encourage people to come in.
• Plan a sale or promotion for Third Thursday (and let us know about it so we can help promote it!)
• This is a great chance to give away branded promotional items, e.g., pens, keychains, etc.

You work hard to operate your business, and we understand if you want to spend Third Thursday in other ways. But we also want to make sure you have considered the significant marketing potential that Third Thursday presents for downtown businesses. 

The Klamath Falls Downtown Association's first meeting in the New Year was held at the Gaucho Collective and featured a presentation from Oregon Tech student Jennifer Massey who conducted a study on student's perceptions of downtown. 

Click the link below to read the Herald & News coverage of the event:

https://www.heraldandnews.com/news/downtown-association-looks-into-oregon-tech-student-needs/article_d1e7d6b2-aacf-5a03-8f5e-0a526a59a391.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share