The growing coronavirus threat has the business community very worried. Chamber of Commerce President Catherine Castro was hopeful of some positive news from the Governor's State of the Island address today as they seek ways to soften the blow of an anticipated slump in tourism.

The global travel slowdown is already impacting local businesses says Castro, and they're hearing every day from worried companies wondering if the government will be there to help.


"You have to make hard decisions," she said. "As a business community, we look to our government. We're asking them can we work together on this, can we come to a compromise on something that we can continue to pay our taxes, continue to employ our people, and get through this together."

The governor and the legislature have already rebuffed the chamber's call for a 6-month delay of the 50-cent minimum wage increase which goes into effect next week. They're also seeking relief from increased fees and taxes, especially the business privilege tax.

"We have had an increase in the BPT, a 25-percent increase," Castro said. "It's not a 1-percent increase. It went from 4 percent to 5-percent, that's 25-percent. That has made a huge impact in all businesses."

Companies will do what they have to to survive, but as much as possible Castro said, they want to keep their employees.

"Saving jobs is saving our families," Castro said.

She said the chamber will continue to push for dialogue with government leaders, so they can work together to overcome the anticipated downturn.