Skip to main content
University of Nebraska Omaha logo University of Nebraska Omaha
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY

APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY
  • About Backback to Main menu
    • About
    • Leadership
    • Mission and Strategic Plan
    • Accreditation
    • Our City
    • Facts and Figures
    • Campus Safety
    • Buildings and Maps
    • Contact Us
  • Academics Backback to Main menu
    • Academics
    • Majors & Programs
    • Class Search
    • Catalogs
    • Academic Calendar
    • Colleges
    • Academic Affairs
    • Online Learning
    • International
    • Library
  • Admissions Backback to Main menu
    • Admissions
    • Undergraduate Admissions
    • Graduate Admissions
    • Tuition and Fees
    • Financial Aid
    • Registrar
    • Visit UNO
    • Request Info
    • Apply
  • Student Life Backback to Main menu
    • Student Life
    • Division of Student Life and Wellbeing
    • Academic & Career Development Center
    • Accessibility
    • Housing & Residence Life
    • Inclusion
    • Service
    • Student Conduct & Community Standards
    • Student Involvement
    • Student Safety
    • Wellness
  • Engagement Backback to Main menu
    • Engagement
    • Office of Engagement
    • Campus Resources for Community
    • Service Learning Academy
    • Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center
    • Volunteer and Civic Engagement Programs
    • Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center
    • Faculty Resources
    • Student Resources
    • Voter Engagement
    • Community Engagement Partnership Initiative
  • Research Backback to Main menu
    • Research
    • Research News
    • Centers and Institutes
  • Athletics Backback to Main menu
    • Athletics
    • Baxter Arena
    • Omaha Mavericks Website
  • Alumni Backback to Main menu
    • Alumni
    • Transcripts
    • Thompson Center
  1. UNO
  2. News
  3. 2020
  4. 03
  5. Four Ways to Support Local Businesses While Social Distancing

Four Ways to Support Local Businesses While Social Distancing

The Nebraska Business Development Center in UNO's College of Business Administration has tips on how you can help small businesses stay afloat while looking after your own health.

  • published: 2020/03/23
  • contact: Nebraska Business Development Center
  • phone: 402.554.6232
  • email: nbdc@unomaha.edu
  • search keywords:
  • Nebraska Business Development Center
  • NBDC
  • College of Business Administration
  • Local Businesses
Mammel Hall

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) social distancing guidance - meant to limit the size of crowds - will help prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), but it also means many small businesses across the country are facing some difficult financial times.

The Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) College of Business Administration has shared some tips for Nebraskans that can help small businesses afloat while looking after their own health.

Order for Delivery or Carry Out

While gatherings of 10 people or more are prohibited, you can still get food from your favorite restaurants by ordering takeout, curbside pick-up or delivery, while choosing cooked foods over fresh foods when possible.

Similarly, you can call in your orders to small local retailers and pick them up. Remember to practice social distancing when receiving your order. As much as possible, avoid paying with cash. Paying over the phone (or using a credit card that can easily be wiped) will help limit the risk of exposure.

Buy Gift Cards or Prepay for Services

Support your favorite small businesses by purchasing gift cards to be used at a later date. This provides the business with money that they can use to weather the storm. When things settle down later, you will be able to use your gift cards. Similarly, you can call your personal service providers to book and prepay for future sessions.

Maintain Memberships and Subscriptions

Many small businesses rely on constant support to keep their doors open. If you have a membership to a local gym, painting class, music lesson, dance studio, etc., don't stop making payments. You can also see if these businesses offer virtual classes or lessons. If not, request this service. Not only will you keep up with your fitness or artistic goals, but you can do it from the comfort of your home.

Shop from Local Businesses Online

If a small business you frequent has an online store, continue to buy their products during these hard times. Again, many businesses are moving to curbside pick-up and delivery to keep revenue coming in. Yes, you could order almost anything from an online retail giant like Amazon, but your local retail businesses need your support now more than ever.

Overall, please be mindful of the struggles of small businesses during these times and be intentional about supporting them through your patronage.



Contact NBDC

Should you need assistance as a small business, NBDC business consultants are available for confidential, one-on-one consulting sessions via email, phone, and video-conferencing. You can visit their staff directory page to find a consultant or call 402.554.NBDC (6232) and leave a message.

Contact – Nebraska Business Development Center nbdc@unomaha.edu.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

Follow UNO on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube. 

  • News Sections:
  • UNO News Center
  • Maverick Daily
  • The Bullseye
  • Campus Events
SHARE

News Sections

  • News Center
  • Maverick Daily
  • The Bullseye
  • Campus Events

Featured Stories

  • Social Mobility, Experiential Learning Focus of Interview with UNO Chancellor Li
  • UNO Students Graduate as Community Engaged Scholars
  • The Semester Guide
  • More Than 4,800 UNO Students Named to Dean's, Chancellor's Lists in Fall 2022

Contact Us

If you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at unonews@unomaha.edu.

About University Communications

  • Next Steps
  • Visit UNO
  • Request Information
  • Apply for Admission
  • The UNO Advantage
  • Our City (Omaha)
  • Just For You
  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Work at UNO
  • Faculty and Staff
  • A-Z List
  • Popular Services and Resources
  • my.unomaha.edu
  • Academic Calendar
  • Campus Buildings & Maps
  • Library
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Course Catalogs
  • Internships & Career Development
  • Bookstore
  • MavCARD Services
  • Military-Connected Resource Center
  • Speech Center
  • Writing Center
  • Human Resources
  • Center for Faculty Excellence
  • Affiliates
  • University of Nebraska System
  • NU Foundation
  • Buffett Early Childhood Institute
  • Daugherty Water for Food Institute
  • National Strategic Research Institute
  • Peter Kiewit Institute
  • Rural Prosperity Nebraska
  1. University Policies
  2. Privacy Statement
  3. Accessibility
  1. 402.554.2800

University of Nebraska Omaha
University of Nebraska Omaha, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68182
  • © 2023  
  • Emergency Information Alert
  • Report an Incident or Concern

Omaha Skyline

Our Campus. Otherwise Known as Omaha.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. Read the full statement.

scroll to top of page