The importance of small businesses to our local community is emotionally rooted in the act of buying and selling with and from our friends and neighbors. This is most represented by our local restaurants, service providers and specialized retailers. All of these businesses are the fabric of our community, providing us with materials and services that we all need on a daily basis while giving back to the community through fundraisers, donations, sales tax revenue and overall community financial health! When we patronize local small businesses, we are essentially giving money back to our own local community. This money is then used for local police and fire departments as well as our great schools. Our thriving small businesses also help to improve and maintain the property values throughout the community, improving every homeowner's bottom line while generating more property taxes for our local government and services. All of this is currently in jeopardy due to the COVID-19 crisis! As you know, with the Shelter In Place order, the majority of our businesses are on a forced closure. Without the ability to generate revenue many businesses are pivoting their daily offerings to complement the current climate but that is, unfortunately, the exception, not the norm. If we want to preserve the community that we LOVE, we need to act NOW to help and support the small businesses, that are responsible for creating that same community that we've enjoyed for so long! The Danville Area Chamber of Commerce has started a Small Business Relief Fund to help our members and those businesses hardest hit in Alamo, Blackhawk, Danville and Diablo. Please help us help our businesses STAY IN BUSINESS!