Lubbock Mayor, Dan Pope, announced on Thursday afternoon the creation of the Lubbock Economic Recovery Task Force (LERT). The group is co-chaired by Robert Taylor, CEO of United Supermarkets and Councilman Steve Massengale. It will advise the City Council on developing a responsible and reasonable path to reopening Lubbock businesses that have been closed because of COVID-19.
During the press conference, Massengale explained that the task force will focus on three main areas: commerce, healthcare and education. The city plans to work with small businesses to develop best practices for re-opening in the time of this pandemic. How can they keep customers and staff safe? They plan to work alongside healthcare professionals and abide by the recommendations outlined by them. Lastly, the group will prioritize education. “We need our students back on campus,” he said.
While the need to restart the economy is apparent, the two emphasized that when businesses reopen, it will not be “business as usual.” Safety will remain a top priority while restarting the city’s economy. “If we do it wrong,” said Taylor, “we could see the W and see it bounce back. That would be a disaster to our economy.”
The chairmen did not provide much detail about other members of the task force, aside from Texas Tech University and locals who have been impacted by the outbreak. “Everybody knows what a big economic engine it is to have Texas Tech here,” Massengale said. “So that’s why we’re going to have representative from Texas Tech, to see what their new normal is as well.”
LERT will hold its first meeting on Monday, April 20, 2020, where they are expected to announce the full task force.
Read full press release below:
On Thursday, Mayor Dan Pope announced the creation of the Lubbock Economic Recovery Task Force (LERT) to advise the Lubbock City Council on actions to quickly and safely reopen the local economy. LERT is tasked with developing responsible and reasonable recommendations to restart the economy, and protect lives and livelihoods.
LERT will be co-chaired by Robert Taylor, CEO of United Supermarkets, and Councilman Steve Massengale.
Lifelong Lubbockite Steve Massengale is a former Chamber of Commerce chairman and an entrepreneur. His small businesses have been directly impacted by COVID-19.
Robert Taylor is also a lifelong Lubbock resident and leads the largest private business in the community that had to quickly adapt its business practices to serve Lubbock citizens while keeping customers and employees safe. Robert is dedicated to the community and redevelopment efforts and also serves as the Chair of the Downtown TIF Board.
Members of the task force are community leaders from diverse industries and organizations. Small and large businesses, healthcare and education are represented. Members will be announced before the first LERT meeting. The task force will have access to advisers in the fields of economics, entrepreneurship, public health, communications, business ownership and law.
LERT will hold its first meeting Monday, April 20, 2020.
