Category: Martens Companies

Local businesses need community support now more than ever. The coronavirus pandemic is making waves across all boards, but small businesses are taking the hardest hit. Local and national authorities are taking action to help alleviate the burdens associated with stay-at-home orders and state-wide shutdowns, but is it enough to keep these mom-and-pop staples afloat? We’re all hoping so, but the stakes are high. In the meantime, here are 6 simple action steps each of us can take to support local businesses right now. By E-Gift Cards For Loved Ones…

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What Does Sustainability Look Like Post COVID-19? COVID-19 is shaking the foundations of business as we know it. As the pandemic unfolds, all eyes have been on offices, warehouses, restaurants, and retail as these are pivotal spheres of influence for the commercial scene. The world is waking up to the necessary changes needed to avoid this kind of disruption again. And, in the process, the CRE business is rewriting what it previously held as industry-standards. One such area of concern is sustainability in the post-COVID world. How will corporate eco-consciousness…

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Overall Economic ActivityEconomic activity declined in all Districts – falling sharply in most – reflecting disruptions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumer spending fell further as mandated closures of retail establishments remained largely in place during most of the survey period. Declines were especially severe in the leisure and hospitality sector, with very little activity at travel and tourism businesses. Auto sales were substantially lower than a year ago, although several Districts noted recent improvement. A majority of Districts reported sharp drops in manufacturing activity, and production was notably weak…

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After an increase of almost 8,000 workers in 2019, Kansas employment is projected to decline in 2020 as the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic continues.  These forecasts show how each region and industry sector could be affected by these economic changes. Wichita Employment Forecast Released May 5, 2020 (See previous version) In 2019, total nonfarm employment in the Wichita metropolitan area grew 1.8 percent, adding 5,500 jobs in its fastest growth since 2007.  For 2020, those gains are expected to be lost as the Wichita economy contracts sharply from the impact of…

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Overall Economic ActivityEconomic activity expanded at a modest to moderate rate over the past several weeks, according to the majority of Federal Reserve Districts. The St. Louis and Kansas City Districts, however, reported no change during this period. Consumer spending generally picked up, but growth was uneven across the nation, including mixed reports of auto sales. Overall, growth in tourism was flat to modest. There were indications that the coronavirus was negatively impacting travel and tourism in the U.S. Manufacturing activity expanded in most parts of the country; however, some…

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