The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce has released a survey to assess the impact of the novel coronavirus on Southeastern North Carolina's business community.

The chamber launched the survey Thursday with a link for area businesses to use to participate. 

The survey, titled "COVID-19 Business Response Survey," asks several questions about business response to the crisis, what resources are needed, and firms' future challenges.

"Three weeks ago, we extended a very brief survey to our members to determine how businesses were preparing for COVID-19 and what resources you might need," said Natalie English, president and CEO of the chamber, in her recent newsletter. "Most of our members were quick to adopt social distancing practices, additional disinfecting procedures, or remote working options for employees to help flatten the curve in the COVID-19 infection rates."
 
The results from the new survey will provide additional information about how the current crisis has affected the regional economy, including workforce challenges, business continuity concerns and resources needed, English said.

The regional survey also asks for the county a business operates in, and includes options for seven different counties in Southeastern, North Carolina, and even an option for other counties in the state.

​There is no deadline set for the survey, but the chamber hopes to get this new set of data within the next week or two, said Megan Mullins, the chamber's vice president of marketing and communications.

The chamber plans to use the information gathered from the business community and some of the recommendations it receives, she said, to guide its advocacy work.