In light of the financial distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, local businesses are reliant upon community support even more now than ever.

Despite the blistering heat, 11 business owners, along with various members of the Lehighton Main Street Steering Committee, attended a Business Owners Roundtable held Monday at the Lehighton Outdoor Center.

The MSSC provided the opportunity for an open discussion between business owners to discuss COVID-19 survival, according to borough Manager Nicole Beckett, who also serves as committee chairwoman.

Businesses in attendance included Castle Gate Realty; Lehighton Outdoor Center; Jenny’s Sweets and More; Ateira’s on 1st; Beacon 443 Diner; Pet World Universe; First National Pharmacy; Valley Royale Tennis Club; Half Barrel Brewing Company; Mouse Ear Magic Travel by Bambi; and Marlyn Kissner and Kathy Henderson from the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corp., which answered questions on the Carbon County COVID-19 Relief Block Grant.

She said information was provided to all participants by the MSSC on funding opportunities from Carbon County, Department of Community and Economic Development, SBDC and others.

Beckett said there was a lot of dialogue between businesses, many which felt alone through the early stages of COVID-19.

“The businesses are concerned about finances and their future,” Beckett said. “The impact of COVID-19 has significantly impacted their books and operations.”

Beckett said that many of the businesses discussed creative ways of operating, along with changes to their business plans, and noted that some of the business owners had been in the early stages of opening when the virus hit.

“The overall message was the need for community support,” she said. “They need the support of the locals to continue to survive. Buying local and shopping local will save these stores.”

Beckett said there was also discussion on how the box stores were able to stay open and hit all-time highs in sales while the small businesses were forced to be closed with no sales.

“Some of the business owners were grateful for the local support, mentioning purchases of gift certificates and community outpouring,” she said. “Others are trying to figure out how they will continue to keep their doors open.”

Beckett said the MSSC agreed it’s important to continue to have this type of forum offered to the business owners, and that working together, sharing ideas and supporting local was the message for now and into the future.

“The importance of staying local could not be emphasized more, as that is what makes a downtown business district thrive,” she said. “We know our local business owners; we do not know the CEOs of these large box stores.”