Putnam County Chamber ready for eclipse

The Putnam County Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana Small Business Development Center recently hosted an online forum to help prepare Putnam County businesses for the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8.

According to Putnam County Chamber of Commerce director Madison Hanna,  there were numerous key takeaways from last week's meeting when it comes to the eclipse for business and community members. 

"The ISBDC shared insights on business impact, operations, promotion, and action items. Anticipate service and production interruptions during the eclipse, and plan accordingly to minimize disruptions. Consider adjusting business hours to accommodate increased traffic throughout the weekend, with the highest congestion expected after the eclipse. Collaborate with local organizations to enhance promotional efforts and prepare action items such as early planning, staff communication, and event coordination," Hanna told The Putnam County Post. 

One takeaway was considering extending business hours, especially on April 7 and April 8 to maximize the benefits of increased visitor traffic during the solar eclipse on April 8, Hanna said. 

"With an expected influx of at least 10,000 additional visitors, businesses should stock up on inventory ahead of time to meet the increased demand and ensure customer satisfaction," Hanna said. 

In addition, Hanna said businesses should consider taking advantage of the uniqueness of the solar eclipse by utilizing social media platforms to promote their business. 

"Collaborate with other businesses and organizations to amplify your outreach efforts and draw attention to your establishment," she said.

In addition, Hanna said residents and visitors should utilize the Putnam County Visitors Bureau's website for all information about various events with the eclipse. 

"Planning ahead and coordinating with local resources will ensure a successful and memorable experience for visitors, if your organization is hosting a large event, please share with madison@goputco.com & mike@goputnam.com to potentially be featured on the eclipse website and marketing communications," Hanna said. 

Hanna said the eclipse is expected to last two to three minutes around 3:05 p.m. in Putnam County and she is asking everyone looking to take part to prepare accordingly to maximize the event. 

"Visitors should expect additional parking spots at Big Walnut Sports Park, with parking opening at dawn. The Putnam County Airport, and Museum will both be hosting eclipse events with parking for visitors. Additional facilities such as toilets and trash bins will be provided across the city to accommodate the influx of people. Safety measures should be considered due to anticipated busy roads during the event," Hanna said.