By Russ Wiles and Helena Wegner | Arizona Republic
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has thrown down the gauntlet, asking business leaders and tourism-industry officials for suggestions for re-opening the state’s economy after weeks of intensified closures.
While state officials still are collecting feedback that will help the governor make key decisions, members of the business community already are thinking hard about how, and when, the economy should be opened up.
Getting businesses to ramp up likely will take a lot more time and planning than shutting down the economy. Thousands of companies closed their doors virtually overnight, sending employees home to work when that was feasible and laying off others when it wasn’t.
“What businesses are needing is a clear and definite timeline (for reopening),” said Kathy Tilque, president and CEO of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce.
President Trump this week offered guidelines for restarting the economy, with new guidance aimed at loosening stay-at-home and other restrictions in areas where the outbreak hasn’t been severe while keeping them in place in harder-hit areas, possibly through the end of the year.
